Name of walk	London Weekend Trip
Date of walk	2014-03-02

I was down in London this weekend, Brendan had a Labour Conference at the Excel Centre, so we stayed out at Beckton (via Dockland Light Railway), and I was let loose for a couple of days by myself. I used to live in London, so I know my way around. Friday afternoon/evening was the one time that Brendan and I would do anything together. We chose Holborn and The Inns of Court as our first destination.

Temple Church

Inside the round end.

Effigies of some the 13th century Knights Templar....as seen in 'The Da Vinci Code'.

Very nice!

A 17th century building, probably the oldest shop in London pre-dating the 1666 Great Fire of London. It is now a shoe shop. Next we visited the Sir John Soane's Museum, but photography was not allowed.

We went to see "Twelve Angry Men" at The Garrick on Friday night. It had Martin Shaw (George Gently, Judge John Deed, The Professionals....a bit of a hunk!) and Robert Vaughan (a favourite from childhood....Man From Uncle, Magnificent Seven), and American, Jeff Fahey (Lost). It was excellent! Then did a night time walk to see some of the sights.

I spent most of Saturday walking around both sides of Highgate Cemetery....very interesting but decidedly muddy! Lots of memorials to the rich and famous. I did a tour of the west side first. This is the Chapel.

The Colonnade.

Grave stone of Alexander Litvinenko, the poisoned officer of the Russian FSB secret service.

Egyptian Avenue.

Circle of Lebanon

One of the Mausoleums. The large holes in the door are for ventilation.

The entrance to the Terrace Catacombs, we were allowed in but could not take photos, mainly due to the poor state of some of the coffins.

Thomas Sayers, bare-knuckle fighter.

Grave of the Rossetti family, parents of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and of Elizabeth Siddal, his muse and wife.

Now onto the East Cemetery. Douglas Adams.

One for the biologists....Herbert Spencer who coined the phrase "Survival of the fittest".

The one everyone wants to see.

I like the unusual ones.

Malcolm McLaren, manager of The Sex Pistols

Jeremy Beadle.....I never took to him.

Ha! Spell it out why don't you!

Some graves are well hidden away.

George Elliot (Mary Ann Evans). I also saw the graves of various actors like Corin Redgrave, Sheila Gish and Ralph Richardson and many others, far too many to include.

You could wander about here all day!

I return to central London and do some shopping. Spending most of my time in the bookshops! But taking time out to visit Maison Bertaux on Greek St. in Soho for coffee and cake.

St. Paul's Cathedral.

On the Sunday Morning I plan to start at Tower Bridge and walk back to Euston Station calling in at various places on the way.

I avoid The Tower of London....might not be let out!

I head for Southwark Cathedral (They have 12 bells) for their 11am Choral Eucharist....another copycat Catholic service with extra incense, just swapping the phrase 'Bidding Prayers' for 'Prayers of Intercession'....leaving out the 'Hail Mary', and Ta da! It's suddenly Anglican! (I did toy with Brompton Oratory's sung Latin mass...but it was a bit out of my way, and probably best to save that for when Brendan can come too.) It was good to listen to the choir and the choristers, and the bell ringing too!

Inside the Cathedral.

I continue along the South Bank.

View from the top of The Tate Gallery across the Millennium Bridge. (Restaurant level)

The Gherkin and The Globe Theatre.

I cross via Westminster Bridge and head for Westminster Cathedral. Odd that it looks a bit Eastern Orthodox.

A bit dark inside compared to Southwark. I have just missed the morning Mass given by newly appointed Cardinal, Vincent Nichols. I compensate by buying the Catholic Herald and reading it in Starbucks over a Grande Caramel Macchiato!

Cardinal Hume's tomb in the Chapel of St. Gregory and St. Augustine. After Westminster Cathedral I nip into The National Gallery, mainly to use their loo! Do a bit more window shopping then walk through Bloomsbury to Euston Station to meet up with Brendan and catch the 4.30pm train home.

An excellent couple of days!

Jo.