St. Pauls and the London Museum - February 10

This morning up early and Skyped my son and family back in NZ. Had breakfast later, at about eight. A bit of a mistake as the place was full and noisy, but still the buffet had plenty for everyone. After breakfast planned my day--my first trip on the underground and a visit to St. Pauls.

Left about ten for Marble Arch tube station, just around the corner--down two flights of stairs and the onto an escalator. Moving stairs, on a 45 degree slope, disappearing into the depths. At the bottom a series of  gates. Flashed my Oyster card and a set of gates opened and through I went. I knew I need to go westbound on the Central Line and I found on platform two a straight line map showing all the station to St. Paul and beyond. I was in tunnel with black hole to my left and right, a single rail track and a very narrow platform. Suddenly a roar followed by a strong wind then a train rushed out of the tunnel to my left and screeched to a stop in front of the me. The train and tunnel appeared to be the same size. The doors opened and everyone rushed in then doors quickly closed and we were off. I was hanging onto one of the poles trying desperately to keep my balance against the acceleration. The train was packed. This was 10 am, I would hate to see what rush hour was like. Off I went westward with a nice lady continually telling everyone the final destination and the next station--Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Holbourn, Chancery Lane, and St. Pauls where I got off. Again a narrow platform then the gates where with a wave your Oyster card they opened and let you through. Up two very steep and long escalators and I was in daylight again. What a way to travel, extremely fast and efficient.

Now across the road and around the corner I was at rear end of the cathedral. A bit of wind was blowing, the temperature was seven degrees and it was cold. I walked around to the front climbed the stairs and there it was--a notice saying no visitors today as it was Ash Wednesday. So I walked a couple hundred metres up the road to the London Museum

 

.A museum well worth the visit and like most museums over here, free. After seeing all about London from the year dot to the present and future I had sandwich and a drink of homemade lemonade in one of the cafes. The one encircled by a text screen providing all sorts of facts about London and the people that live there.

 Outside the museum was part of  the old Roman wall that was unknown until uncovered by the German bombs dropped during WW 11.

Now with time to spare I picked up a London Cab to the bottom of Charingcross Road to visit some second hand book shops. I didn't buy any thing but took a photograph some expensive books.

Nine of the books here added up to about 4000 pounds

From here I walked back to the hotel and clocked up a record of 9019 steps. At the hotel I had a large cider and some popcorn before going up to my room and having a bit of nap. I felt I deserved it as today I went on The Tube, ridden in a London Cab, visited books shops in Charingcross, saw part of the old London Wall, and nearly got into St. Pauls. Pretty good for one day!