Japan and a Windy trip around the British Isles.

[drron]

Another old church with modern street art across the road.
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A lot of building going on here.Now just a facade.
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[drron]

I was now back to the Bank of England Museum.Free entry.first the architects model
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Unfortunately just a photo of the gold vault.If in the area worth a few minutes to go in.

 

[drron]

Now the walk back to the Cheval.First the Monument and where the Great Fire started.
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I liked the sound of some of these pies but we have lunch ready at the Cheval.
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I walked the last bit along the Thames.
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The last is the restaurant where we would have dinner that night with another AFFer.

 

[drron]

We had a light lunch whilst waiting for the Silver Wind to arrive.The first glimpse.
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[drron]

After the sail in of the Wind we took a walk to the Skygarden where Mrsdrron had booked a 1330 entrance time-it is free but best to book a time online.We first walked down to the Thames to see the Wind then up by the Tower.
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Over the road the Memorial for the Merchant Navy.
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[drron]

Then we walked towards the Skygarden.
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The siege of Malta memorial and a humorous sign on a pub.
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[drron]

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Then the views from the Skygarden.
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[drron]

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The Cheval.
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The Chao Praya of Europe.
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And the Bank of England.
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[drron]

Now for the gardens.A bit disappointing.A few Aussie specimens.
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And some overpriced drinks at the bar.
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[Geegeela]

The tucker's quite good though.

 

[drron]

And some of mrsdrron's pics from Skygarden.
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[drron]

The walk back to the Cheval and some more of the monument.
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And there is always a pigeon.
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checked on the wind again.
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[drron]

Some plane watching as Cheval is under the flightpath for LCY.
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That night dinner at Coppa in the Cheval building with Flashback and Mrs Flashback.
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In the morning finally saw a raven in the Tower grounds.
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[drron]

the time had come to board the Wind.A ferry from the pier looking back at the Cheval.
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First some stairs then a ramp to get onto the Belfast.
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Then walk along the deck of the Belfast to the gangway.This part of the Belfast is sealed off.
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Some of the views.
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[drron]

We went to the Panorama lounge for coffee-we had boarded at ~ 1100.Walked in and Marcos the bartender greeted us warmly-we had cruised together many times on the Explorer.Did a little reading and then to lunch in the Main Dining Room.Mrsdrron had veal with mushrooms and asparagus and I a deep fried seafood selection.Both were delicious.The seafood was just perfectly cooked.
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Some more views from the ship.
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Supplies being loaded.
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[drron]

Told suites would not be ready untill after 1600.But at ~ 1400 we went to our suite.It was ready and our bags had been delivered.We are in a verandah suite-downgrading from our usual silver or medallion suites.But only because that way we can do more cruises!
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[drron]

I then went for a walk around the ship.
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From an old sailing craft to an old cruiser.
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[Myrna]

I saw your ship Silver Wind arrived in London this morning - I was talking on FaceTime with my sister (currently in Canberra) and spotted the SW passed our flat balcony so I took these photos with my iphone (probably not good resolution). I waved at you from the flat balcony This month until August, there will be quite a few Silversea ships passing our balcony on the way to Tower Bridge. Hope you enjoy London with its usual drizzly light rains.

 

[Myrna]

I will probably see your ship SW leaving London tomorrow at high tide - which is after noon / midday. If I see it, I will take a few photos and post them here. I will wave to you - if you are on the LHS of the ship, you will see a block of flats at the river bend and there is a foot bridge next to it. I will be on a balcony on the top floor, possibly with a small white dog.

We have been in London for 7.5 years and lived along the Thames. The first 18 months we rented a house near the Blue Bridge and saw a lot of navy ships and (luxury) cruisers - belonging to some billionaires and Danish royal family - came to dock in Canary Wharf for the 2012 Olympic. The next 4 years we rented a house opposite the O2 and saw quite a few Silversea ships going to Tower Bridge and larger cruise ships going to Greenwich, including the World. Now we have rented a flat at the bend of Thames towards the city and only seen the Silversea ships. I have a collection of photos of all sorts of ships passing the 3 rental places.

 

[drron]

Thanks for those Myrna.Great photos.