After all the excitement of the previous evening a quiet wander through Hyde Park was just what was required. I've not had an alcoholic drink since September 15th so today might prove a bit of a challenge as I love a London pub. A decent breakfast was had first at the hotel and Mrs A was most put out that some young American tourists had filled their rucksacks with hastily made rolls and croissants from the buffet table to see them through the day. Not the sort of thing you would catch me doing, i'm far to quick and practised at that game .....
I've seen Parakeets before in London flying over Hampstead Heath in the past but the ones in Hyde Park were something else! They are actually 'Ring Necked Parakeets' and extremely tame. To the point where they will actually feed out of your hand and pose for pictures on your head. I didn't get that close as they preferred fruit to my dried bread.
The Parakeets escaped from a private collection some time ago and have thrived in the mild temperature of the Capital. The park was a scene of activity with all the joggers , walkers and cyclists and the lakes were full of bird life.
We stumbled upon the 'Peter Pan' statue in Kensington Gardens in the same spot as Peter lands his bird-nest boat in the story, ‘The Little White Bird.’ Peter Pan creator and local resident JM Barrie was inspired by Kensington Gardens. He commissioned Sir George Frampton to build the statue which has been a favourite feature of the gardens since 1912.
Coming to the edge of Kensington Gardens on Albert Memorial Road opposite the Royal Albert Hall is one of London's most ornate and impressive monuments, designed by George Gilbert Scott. 'The Albert Memorial' is stunning and in my opinion very overlooked , not getting the mentions it deserves. Unveiled in 1872, The Albert Memorial commemorates the death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, who died of typhoid fever at the age of 42. Influenced by the series of 13th Century Eleanor Crosses (Charing Cross perhaps being the most famous but we also have one in Northampton don't forget). Marble figures representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America stand at each corner of the memorial, near the top, are gilded bronze statues of the angels and virtues. Around the base celebrated painters, poets sculptors, musicians and architects are depicted, reflecting Albert's enthusiasm for the arts. As monuments go this is a beauty.
From the peace of the parks we caught the tube to the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden, another of my favourite places to wander around. As always there is the the usual mixture of street entertainers and 'living statues' to amuse and bemuse the tourists. One in particualrreally caught our attention 'Master Yogilaser'. Internationally and nationally known as a yogi-contortionist extraordinaire, he wiggles and writhes his muscular physique into and out of seemingly impossible yoga postures. It made my poor old back and knees wince just watching him.
His 'pièce de résistance' as you might say is to fit his entire body inside a box measuring 20 x 17.5 inches...Something He completed in a time of 5.35 seconds, breaking the previous Guinness World Record of 9 seconds. He brought his act to a stunning finale by recreating this amazing feat for us today. He richly deserved the donation we put into his hat afterwards.
We walked from Covent Garden through Theatre District and along The Strand past Trafalgar Square down to Westminster. We cut through Horse Guard's Parade into St James Park and enjoyed a pic-nic lunch. Another of the 'Royal Park's' and is surrounded by landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Whitehall. Once again there is a lot of bird activity and some more unusual ones in the form of Pelicans. First introduced to the park in 1664 as a gift from the Russian Ambassador, over 40 pelicans have since made the park home. They are free to leave if they wish but seem very happy where they are.
The Blue Bridge provides spectacular views across St James's Park Lake to Buckingham Palace to the west and Horse Guards Parade, Big Ben and the London Eye towards the east.
Duck Island Cottage Garden dates from the original use of St James's Park as a hunting park. It is something of a rural retreat and the picturesque lodge now serves as offices of the London Historic Parks and Gardens Trust. It is a real throwback to times gone by with the home grown crops and cottage garden plants and flowers.
Making our way through the Park we arrived on the Mall and splendour of Buckingham Palace. The view back down St James Park was more my thing though with the tress showing their stunning Autumn colour.
Altogether a lovely day spent in contrasting peace and nature to the hustle and bustle of central London , and still no alcohol consumed despite being in at least three different pubs.
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