Thursday Thirteen # 2

Thirteen Things about The Places I Must See Before Leaving London You know what it’s like....you live in the same city for 10 years and although you pretty well know it like the back of your hand, you're oblivious to the tourist 'hot spots'. That is, until you decide to emigrate and you're suddenly hit by an unfamiliar yearning to be a tourist in your hometown for the day. 1. The British Library Apparently home to 150 million items, these include the Magna Carta, the Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare's First Folio and the Lindisfarne Gospels as well as the Diamond Sutra, the world’s earliest dated printed book. I used to come regularly when researching Baroness Orczy’s The Scarlet Pimpernel, but only saw a small part of it. I’d like to come and do the proper tour which includes the King’s Library – the personal collection (65,000 printed volumes) of King George III. 2. London National Gallery The only major art gallery in London that I haven’t seen, the works by Monet, Constable, Van Gogh, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Holbein amongst others are a must. 3. Buckingham Palace I'll have to come back for this in July or August when the Royal Mews, Queens Galleries and State Rooms are now opened to the public. There are 19 State Rooms used by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family to entertain other Heads of State, as well as for other ceremonial and official occasions. The Royal Mews display includes the Queen's horses and the beautiful Gold State Coach used for Coronations. The Queens Galleries houses the Royal collection of art and treasures. 4. Spitalfields Market An under cover market in the city, the 200 stalls include some organic ranges. It is busiest on a Sunday, I'd like to come on a Friday, however, when young designers show their work at the fashion market. 5. The Foundling Museum The Foundling Hospital Museum in Camden is one of London's lesser known treasures. It was established in 1739 as a hospital which looked after abandoned children, the stories of whom are now told in the museum. It uses original artefacts and photographs to explore their history and compare their lives to those of modern day children. I can imagine I would find it very moving. 6. The Houses of Parliament Originally known as the Palace of Westminster, it was built in 1042 as Edward the Confessor's royal residence. I'd like to get tickets on a Wednesday lunch time when Parliament is sitting and come and watch Prime Minister's Question Time. 7. The Jewish Museum There are two exhibitions here that I must see. Firstly, 'The Last Goodbye' tells the incredible story of 10,000 unaccompanied children rescued from Nazi Europe on the Kindertransport. The second exhibition marks Holocaust Memorial Day 2008- 'The Boys: Triumph Over Adversity' tells the story of a group of young Holocaust survivors admitted to Britain in 1945, who rebuilt their lives and went on to become a part of London’s vibrant community. 8. Open-Air Bus Tour I would have many to choose from, all of which take in the main sites of Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, The National Gallery, Downing Street, Big Ben, London Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, The Tower of London & Westminster Abbey. I'd find this very relaxing and interesting, as long as it wasn't raining. A rug and a flask of coffee would be compulsary. 9. Chelsea Physic Garden Founded by the Society of Apothecaries in 1673, over 400 varieties of plants and trees are planted in this beautiful park for their medicinal qualities; some plants having been gathered on voyages by Captain Cook. A very peaceful place to sit for a while. 10.The Royal Observatory, Greenwich The prime meridian, zero degrees longitude, runs through the courtyard of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, which was founded in 1675 by King Charles II. I plan to stand on the 0 Meridian Line, have my picture taken and learn how it all came about! 11. Queen Mary's Dolls' House, at Windsor Castle Built for the present Queen's grandmother, Queen Mary, this is an amazing dolls' house built on a scale of 1 to 12 and filled with especially commissioned works of art and books. Standing over five feet tall, it contains working lifts, running water and electricity, and took 1500 craftsmen three years to complete. 12. Afternoon Tea at the Ritz As a small girl I was taken by great aunts for wonderful afternoon teas at Fornum and Mason and also Claridges, but I'd like to experience this great British institution just once. Served in the opulent surroundings of the Palm Court, afternoon tea includes my favourite sandwiches of poached salmon with watercress, scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, pastries, a variety of teas and coffee, and the all-important glass of champagne. And finally.... 13. The London Eye If you’re lucky to get a clear day, the 360 degrees view is stunning. I had a memorable trip it once, when infact it broke down and we were left suspended in mid air for almost three hours! I would love to go up at night and see The Houses of Parliamnet, Big Ben, Canary Wharf and the Thames lit up. I've heard you can hire a pod and take a picnic and a bottle of champagne....this would be a great way to say good-bye to London!

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