We wanted to visit the Mithraeum, but it was closed for a school function. So we come in for a little pick-me-up: all is good!
The St Stephen Walbrook @ 39 Walbrook, is a church. The domed building was designed by Sir Christopher Wren (1632-1723) following the destruction of its medieval predecessor in 1666, the Great Fire of London (Sept 1666). It is located in Walbrook, next to the Mansion House, and near to Bank and Monument Underground stations. It’s 5-minute walk to the Royal Exchange.
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898) was UK’s Prime Minister who served four terms, from 1868 to 1894, diring the reign of Queen Victoria (1819-1901; r 1837-1901).
This memorial was created by Hamo Thornycroft (1850-1925) shortly after his passing. The statue shows Gladstone in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s robe. The four figures on the plinth symbolize Courage, Brotherhood, Education and Aspiration four virtues.
Near the Courts, beside Gladstone statue, there are Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding (1882-1970) and Sir Arthur Harris (1892-1984) the Royal Air Force Marshal.
Charing Cross is a busy roundabout intersection in London’s Westminster, and the measuring point for distances to or from London. There is an equestrian statue of Charles I (1600-49).
The ornate Queen Eleanor (1241-90) memorial cross in front of M&S Simply Food on the Strand is more interesting. (Strand Main Station Entrance, Charing X St) She was the first wife of Edward I (1239-1307), and she and her mother were known for being hostile toward the Jewish people, which led to the expulsion of Jews in 1275, and the ultimate 1290 Edict of Expulsion issued by her husband Edward I.
The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England.. (2012 by Dan Jonesstore) has touched on the Jewish expulsion.
Morris, Marc; A great and terrible king : Edward I and the forging of Britain, 2015, p225:
A rumour is waxing strong throughout the kingdom and has generated much scandal. It is said that the illustrious lady queen, whom you serve, is occupying many manors, lands, and other possessions of nobles, and has made them her own property – lands which the Jews have extorted with usury from Christians under the protection of the royal court.
Her property dealings were questionable and disliked. She abused usury and exploited the Jews. Leeds Castle in Kent was an example.
Oct 6: In light of () the talks in Egypt between Israel and Hamas over the two years old war, Trump says there’s “a really good chance” for a Gaza deal.
A handsome Portland stone complex sits at the southern end of Kingsway between Aldwych and the Strand.
The entrance building has two columns under an arch, where two men holding a torch – these two statues were sculpted by American artist Malvina Hoffman (1885-1966). Below the monument is the inscription “To the friendship of English speaking peoples.”
American industrialist Irving Ter Bush (1869-1948) developed this as as a trade center. Work began in 1925, and in 1929, it was the most expensive building in the world. The complex was completed in 1935.
BBC World Service was a long-term tenant, from 1941 to 2012. Now, it’s the Strand Campus of King’s College London.
We take the double decker bus #23 from Hilton Metropole to the Royal Courts in the morning 9am. It’s 2.8 miles, needs 33 minutes, passing throught various neigborhoods, and ends at Waldorf Hotel, which is a part of Hilton chain. This hotel was created by William Waldorf Astor (1848-1919) who was born in New York City. He was the only child of John Jacob Astor III (1822-90).
… the neighborhoods, according to my iPhone location info:
Twinings is a marketeer of tea and other beverages, operates in this very spot (City of Westminster) since 1706.
I’m a tea drinker and prefer loose-leaf tea. In the US, it’s mostly tea bags.
This narrow story is very straightforward: both walls are filled with products – bags and loose leaf. Tasting is held in the back, and they sell classes and hot tea to go.
The founder, Thomas Twining (1675-1741) was an English merchant. The brand’s logo was created in 1787, is one of the oldest unchanged British commercial logos in continuous use in the UK.
The store entrance was commissioned by Richard Twining, found’s grandson. The two Chinese figures represent the origins of tea in China: at that time, almost all tea came from China via the East India Company. The golden lion is a nod to grandpa’s original dry tea and coffee shop, which was called the Golden Lyon. The lion is lying down as a sign of respect to his grandfather.
Its modern or global headquarters are in Andover, Hampshire, UK, and Rutherford, New Jersey, for North America.
We planned to go to the concert at Temple Music @ Temple Church. But our Lufthansa flight out of Krawar was delayed. After landing in London, we decided to chill out.
We stopped at Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange for a quick coffee and tea before heading to the airport.
The tables are for lunch meals; we’re quarantined to the bar -:). Americano coffee is strong, and my gunpowder tea is yummy, as usual: full-bodied, tastes with a hint of smokiness.
I haven’t had gunpowder 珠茶 for a while. It’s a type of Chinese green tea, named for its tightly rolled, pellet-like leaves that resemble gunpowder. They grow in Zhejiang province; it was one of China’s earliest exports. Twinings likely imports it. AI: ‘珠茶是一种产自中国浙江平水茶区的绿茶,因其外形细圆紧结、宛如珍珠而得名. 又称“绿色珍珠”或“贡熙茶”. 它色泽乌绿油润, 滋味醇厚鲜爽,香气馥郁持久,曾是清朝时向皇帝进贡的贡茶,也是中国最早出口的商品之一.’
It’s located inside the old Royal Exchange, featuring a soaring atrium that makes it very attractive, and surrounded by high-end stores, such as Tiffany & Co.
Fortnum & Mason was an department store, located at 181 Piccadilly in the St James’s area of London, established in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason.
A monument in the middle of Fleet Street that commemorates the original 17th-century Temple Bar gateway, which no longer exists. The memorial was unveiled in 1881 and features a large griffin or dragon, statues of Queen Victoria and Edward VII, and bronze relief plaques.
It’s the border between Westminster and the City of London.
Temple Bar sit on the historic royal ceremonial route from the Palace of the Tower of London to the old Palace of Westminster, the two major residences of the medieval English monarchs, and from Westminster to St Paul’s Cathedral. The east side of the bar was Fleet Street, while the west, in Westminster, was The Strand.
Virgin Atlantic was created in 1984 by Richard Branson (1950-), headquartered in Crawley, West Sussex, England. The maiden flight from London’s Gatwick to Newark was on June 22, 1984.
Today’s flight VS47 is from London‘s Heathrow lhr T3 15:45 to New York’s JFK‘s T4, 18:50.
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9; 1, 1, 1
Seat A5, w/ the sun on my side.
Duration: 06:50
Toiletries: REN Clean Skincare
Service: 5/5 Foods & drinks: 4/5
Comfort of the seat: 4/5
The business section is full, but from the announcement, the economy isn’t: it asks the passengers to sit where they’re assigned for the balance at take off; then they can make themselves comfortable wherever.
It’s a day flight. We’ll have a full menu shortly after taking off, and a high tea before landing.
