Yesterday began with breakfast of coffee, tea, and hot cross buns in our flat, looking out on the sunlit courtyard. Then off to Leicester Square to pick up our London Passes. From there we walked down Charing Cross Road to the Westminster area, passing Trafalgar Square. The Town is hopping this week, full of tourists and locals soaking up sun and sights. Lord Nelson is joined now by a large blue rooster off to one side of the Square. It's called Hahn Cock. Need to do some further research to understand what it's about.
We fortified ouselves with ale and pies at a pub along the way. Chris and I had a flight of ales and a trio of small pies. Steak and mushroom pronounced the best, though the sweet potato and spinach was interesting. Best name was the cockaleekie pie, but it wasn't as tasty. Once fed, we headed off to the Churchill War Rooms which were a fascinating glimpse into war time life in London - at least for one group of committed people working and living underground.
Afterwards, we had another of our "Thank God for honest people" moments when we were trying to save time by getting into a cab to get to the Westminster Abbey evensong service and the cabbie said "You know the Abbey is just over there?" Out we got, thanking him for his honesty. We can all imagine some NY cab drivers who might have taken us for a spin on the way. After dwelling on war time life, the peacefulness of the evensong service was welcome. My favorite points were the first processional entry of the choir, initially our of sight and then emerging as the voices swelled, and the Byrd Anthem at the end. Both made excellent use of the high vaulted ceiling to let the music hang in the air and blend with the next notes sung.
We finished the evening with a See London by Night bus tour which was a lovely way to get oriented and afforded Linda some great shots (to follow in the next post).
