Back in Sydney

Now back in Sydney.  Two loads through the washing machine and then off for a snooze.  Theresa May is on telly, outside 10 Downing Street.  It all seems so far away now!

Pigeon passenger - and now in Singapore

On our second last day in London, we saw a pigeon in Euston Square station.  He/she boarded our train and kept on nibbling chips, crumbs or whatever he could get his beak on.  Then yesterday, we saw a pigeon on our tube to Paddington.  Got a pic this time.  Who needs cleaners when the pigeons do the job for you?

We arrived safely in Singapore after a 12 hour day flight.  We had two breakfasts yesterday!  Went to the Transit Hotel where we slept for 7 hours.  Beginning the gradual adjustment to a new time zone.  We had breakfast/lunch this morning at the airport.  This time I had Red Ruby at the ice stall.

Last night in London

For dinner, we went to a nearby pub - Marquis Cornwallis - and Kin Mun had his last fish and chips in London.

Now we have packed up and ready for bed. Five am rise tomorrow to catch train to Heathrow and then SQ  305 to Singapore.  Due to arrive 05:30 Singapore time, 07:30 Sydney time or something like 21:30 London.  Next post hopefully from Singapore.  

Battle of Britain - Capel le Ferne

We caught the fast train to Folkestone (55 minutes) and then a taxi .  We told the driver that we wanted to go to the Battle of Britain Memorial.  He asked "Which one?"  We told him, and then I asked, "Is there another one?"  "Yes", he said.  Kin Mun's heart sank!  Indeed, there IS another one at Hawkinge, also nearby, but we didn't have time nor energy for two visits.

BTW, ever heard an Englishman pronounce Folkestone? Not "ou" as in "folk" but  "ʌ" as in "but".

This memorial has been developed in stages.  First to open was the statue of the young seated pilot looking over the white cliffs towards France.

 

There were the replicas of a Hawker Hurricane and a Supermarine Spitfire (in that order).

Also The Wall, where the names of "the few" were listed.  The few were indeed a lot.

And a bust of Sir Keith Park, a kiwi, who commanded the squadrons that defended London.

All this is on the edge of the white cliffs.  We ventured closer to the edge and had a glimpse of Folkestone.

There is also a visitors centre, but didn't take any pics of it.  All in all, it was an evocative memorial.  Uxbridge was the opportunity to view a piece of history, BoB was just one part of the aviation story at Duxford.

And lastly, they do have some nasties in England.  The sign said so.

Dinner with Anne - at Mosob

We had a lovely dinner with Anne tonight.  Her recommendation was MOSOB, an Eritrean restaurant at Westbourne Park. 

We were given explanations and instructions.  You eat with your hands and the injera  bread, to be used to gather up the food, was like a pikelet.  The dishes are served on a plate, for sharing.

 This is the plate, as served to our table.

And before eating.

And half an hour later.!

And chai - which was literally a tea of spices.  We looked in the pot and there they were - cardamom, cinnamon and cloves.  No black tea to be seen.

And they also have desserts.  because Eritrea was annexed by Italy at one stage, there is an Italian influence.

The owner later came over to talk to  us - about his background, experiences, and Eritrea.  The only thing most Australians know about Eritrea is Fred Hollows and his opthalmic surgery.  So we had a delicious meal and learned a lot, as well as enjoying time with Anne.

Basildon Bell Tower

It was an early morning to get to Basildon in time for their service ring.  But we made it. This is the tower, which is in the main town square, next to the church.

And you can see the bells from the outside!!! For me, who can't cope with heights, this is the FIRST time I have seen a ring of bells in place.  They leave them in the "up" position.

Inside the ringing tower.  There is air-conditioning AND heating but the ringers told us they were not plugged in. The young man was ringing up one of the bells.

And looking up.

Just in case you forget which bell you are ringing.

Kin Mun got to ring.  They were willing to give a visitor a go on a service ring.

And the tower moves as they ring.  Like a mini earthquake.  The lights above were shaking.
This is how they store the ropes/sallies.  Roger told us that at the bottom of the tube is a lamp that dries out the ropes if they get damp.

They have a warning about the bells being up.  And there is a spiral staircase, but much better than the old medieval ones.

And afterwards we went to the local shopping center for morning tea.  We know when to capitulate on ordering coffee.  Just have tea - which was very good together with the Victoria Sponge.

    

Whitechapel Bell Foundry

Today was our tour of Whitechapel Bell Foundry.  It occupied a smaller area than Taylors, and it was not a working day. But the process of making the moulds, melting metals etc was explained.  Whitechapel don't provide the sallies/ropes - they outsource this locally.
A scene in the Foundry 

Our guide, on the stand used for bell tuning.
OOPS- This is Alan Hughes, master bellfounder and fourth generation of Hughes family to have operated the foundry!!!  More than a guide but the man himself. 

Bells already tuned and ready for delivery - inside view.

More bells

Wheels

Handbells

Memorials for workers who have died - either during their working lives or after retirement.  They have now run out of space.

More foundry scenes

Battle of Britain and Bartle Frere and dinner

We walked along Embankment and saw the Battle of Britain Memorial.  These memorials are getting more artistic.

and those famous words.....

Also along the Victoria Gardens are statues to various people.  This one stood out - I knew Mt Bartle Frere was Queensland's highest peak, but I didn't know he was a person!  Here is his statue.  he was administrator of Cape Colony in South Africa - not sure whether he ever came to Queensland

And if they ever make a statue of you, make sure they put some anti-bird mechanism on the top.  I guess that is why the monarchs are sculpted with crowns on them.

We had dinner with Anne - Italian for main course and French for coffee and dessert.  Kin Mun braved the hot chocolate! 

Cambridge

Today we went to Cambridge - an easy train ride.  I was quite surprised at just how much of a tourist icon it is.  And it is quite different to Oxford - grander buildings, larger town centre.  Kin Mun was always interested in Cambridge, as it was famous for its scientific research, whereas I have always thought first of Oxford, the city of dreaming spires.

But some pics.

 General street scene.

The old Fitzwilliam College, where Lee Kwan Yew went. So the seeds of modern Singapore were sown here. 

St John's College

Stone bridge over the river - part of St John's.

The very old Trinity College with its statue of Henry VIII. But it was not open to the public.

And the iconic Kings College Chapel and its grounds.  Just magnificent.