big ben

We, Steph and I, climbed out at Bridge Street and ducked into a Tesco Express for paracetamol and hand sanitizer. Hoping they had a loo too. They didn’t. But they did have the bulk standard Meal Deal which we lunched on in the Square – a little patch of grass near Parliament which, it should be noted, is essentially just a gigantic roundabout you risk life and limb to reach.

We also decided to do a walk through Westminster Abbey that day. I had never been inside before. Partly because I never had the time. Mostly because I refused to pay £12 to enter a church even if it did have the bones of Chaucer.

Then I remembered how The Canterbury Tales totally and absolutely changed my life as a teenager and made me want, more than anything, to be a writer and a teller of tales.

There’s also that whole Geoffrey/John of Gaunt connection and the absolute stunnery that’s the inside of the Abbey itself. You cannot, by the way, take photos from within the Church. But you can snap away at it’s exterior and at Westminster…Parliament itself. And its crowning glory. That big ole – but not as big as you probably think – clock tower that sits atop it. Ben.

5 Responses to “big ben”

1. David says:

   8 February, 2009 at 20:36

   You cannot take photos within the church? Sounds like a challenge to me! That was the rule for a lot of the museums in Italy, when I went last year, but I still took pictures with the flash off (my camera has a museum setting), as to not disturb the lighting and they came out really good. I’m totally gonna have to go there now and take a few pics…
2. Kristy says:

   9 February, 2009 at 18:36

   I also see this as a challenge. No videos or photos of the crown jewels? Psh. I got mine…
3. Buffy says:

   9 February, 2009 at 21:23

   Kristy….

   Wasn’t that where you had your ordeal? While visiting the crown jewels? Taking your photos while surrounded by all the EMT crew?

   You total Maverick you.
4. Buffy says:

   9 February, 2009 at 21:24

   David,

   Please share your photos.

   All of them.

   B.
5. steph says:

   12 February, 2009 at 20:12

   just thinking about longshanks….sigh…