Flashback 2010 - St Paul's Cathedral, London

Back in 2010 we decided to visit St Paul's Cathedral, a place I had never been to, but had always wanted to visit.. 

The photo above shows St Paul's as seen from the Millenium Bridge side of the building.

This shows the front of the Cathedral, it was a lovely sunny day, great for a day out in London :)

This photo shows the Golden Gallery, above the Dome, because of the angle of the photo it doesn't look very high up, but it is!

Me sitting on the front steps of the Cathedral, I look a bit youger there haha. I think my daughter and I had already sung 'Feed the Birds tuppance a bag...'

Looking up as we entered the building. At this time photography was not allowed in the Cathedral, I understand that now you are allowed to take photos (no flash photography) except in the Whispering Gallery, where photography is still not allowed.

My daughter, husband and I had a good look around on the ground floor, it is a magnificient building, well worth a visit if you have never been there. We then climbed the 257 steps up to the Whispering Gallery, which is 30 metres above the Cathdral floor. There were a lot of people visiting that day so we were unable to hear the whispers, but we did try whispering to the wall!

My daughter and I then climbed up to the Stone Gallery, which is 376 steps and 53 metres above the Cathedral floor. 

The views from the Stone Gallery, which runs round the base of the Dome are amazing. I love going 'up' in buildings when I can, everything looks different from higher up.

I am afraid I don't know any of the buildings in these photos, but it was amazing to see London spread out before us.

I do know that this building is known as The Gerkin :)

The Millenium Bridge from the Stone Gallery :)

These two photos are the only ones I took inside the Cathedral and they are pretty special - after we had walked all round the Stone Gallery we saw directions to the Golden Gallery, which is on top of the Dome. The staircase runs in between the inner and outer domes and it is 85 metres and 528 steps up from the floor of the Cathedral. I am not very fit, and I think my daughter was worried about how out of breath I got, but I made it, much to my delight. At the top of the stairs is a small room which leads out to the Golden Gallery, in the middle of the room is a square piece of glass, looking through this you can see right down the 85 metres to the floor of the Cathedral. I asked the guide who was up there if I was ok to take these photos, to which she said 'yes' They came out very well considering they were taken through glass from such a height :) They are  pretty amazing aren't they?

The views from the Golden Gallery were just wonderful, well worth all the huffing and puffing! 

This is Paternoster Square Column, which is 23 metres high, topped with golden flames .

The Millenium Bridge again, this time from 85 ( 280 feet) metres up :)

Looking along the river, including the London Eye, one day I would like to go on that too :)

A very zoomed photo of the British Telecom Tower, the writing says '773 days to London.....'I think it refers to the Olympics which were held in London in 2012, strange to think that is now long past!!

I love the fact that there are what look like golden pineapples up on the towers :)

Just amazing :)

Back on the ground, and outside, an interesting view :)

Crossing the Millenium Bridge, Tower Bridge in the distance.

Zoomed photo of Tower Bridge as seen from the Millenium Bridge

Lots of pleasure crafts on the river that day.

An interesting view of the Millenium Bridge and St Paul's from the other side of the river :)

Walking under the Millenium Bridge on the other side of the river from the Cathedral

And finally the reproduction Globe Theatre.

We had an amazing day out, when I look at how high up we had got I can't really believe I managed that climb, but I am really pleased that I did :)

I was also sure that I had done a Blog on this years ago, but I think I dreamt that, I started on Blogger in October 2010, before that I blogged on Windows Live. I think the intention was to publish this on Windows Live, then found out it was closing, so it got forgotten. Although this was 10 years ago, I hope you enjoy the blog and the photos, it was a really lovely day out :)

Flashback 2010 - The Salutation Gardens Sandwich in the Spring.

Like many photographer in this Corona Virus Lockdown I have been unable to get out and take many photos, but it has been  nice to have the time to go back over older photos. These are from 2010, these gardens have undergone many changes over the last ten years, just before the lockdown started the company running this hotel went into administration so the award winning gardens closed. I believe a solution had been found to re-open the gardens, so hopefully when the Lockdown is over we will be able to pay more visits :)

Wallflowers and tulips in a wide border.

Such beautiful colours and a wonderful smell :)

Blossom :)

The shape of these two trees has always been a favourite with me, I think it is amazing that two trees have 'twinned' in their growth.

You can't have photos of blossom on trees without a close up :)

Dense planting making interesting vistas in all directions

The photo above shows the small bridge crossing a stream which leads to this lovely little Gazebo 

Just beginning to be covered with roses.

Different views across to the gazebo

Beautiful foliage colours on the trees.

Bluebells in the wooded area

Tulips in the meadow area

The fountain in the pond near the gazebo

The cottage in the grounds.

Looking from the cottage to the daffodils growing round the tree..

...in a beautiful spiral :)

And of course there were flowers..

Beautiful poppies

Of all colours

Simply stunning :)

I love poppies :)

I am not sure what the flower above is, but isn't it pretty?

Gorgeous columbine (Aquilegia)

And finally a wonderful pansy face :)

I have enjoyed re-visiting the gardens from 10 years ago, I have plenty more photos taken in the garden over the years, so there may be more Flashbacks appearing from different years.