The Last Day

The last day in London we visited the National Portrait Gallery and then walked over to Trafalgar Square.  The day we visited the National Gallery the fountain wasn't working so it was nice to see it happily spitting water.

The last thing we both really wanted to do was visit the Churchill War Rooms.  Winston Churchill operated from this maze of rooms that were carved out of an existing building and fortified with steel and extra feet of concrete to protect it from German bombs during the Blitz.  After the war, they closed it up and left it so that in the 60s when the government opened it back up, it was almost exactly as it was when in use.  

Clementine Churchill's room

Winston apparently had no use for staples and absolutely hated them.  He only wanted papers with one hole punch on the upper left hand corner with a piece of string tying them together.  You received hell if he found staples.

Every hall had submarine doors to keep out any unwanted guests.  The Germans apparently never knew the bunker existed so I guess the English did their job.  However, notice the crowbar, just in case you were locked out.

Churchill's room.  He apparently only napped here and preferred to spend his time above ground surveying the previous night's bombing damage or actually watching the bombing from the rooftop.  

The entry to the museum, and its original main door,  is the nondescript metal doorway beside the stairs leading to the treasury.  

The Globe!

Before we left Scotland, the BBC had broadcast that St. Paul's Cathedral had been closed until further notice due to the Occupy London protesters who had positioned themselves on the steps of the church.  It was the first time since WWII that it had not operated.

As a side note, they were gross.  It smelled and they were annoying.  They had also damaged toilets and bathrooms in the small shops and cafes that line the cathedral square.  I personally found that humorous - you're protesting big money and yet you're hurting the little guy by damaging his hard earned business space?? Idiots.

St. Paul's is by far the most beautiful church we visited.  You literally walk into the building and just want to sit down and take it in.  It's almost too much. 

The attention to detail and the intricate artwork and gold leafing is just spectacular.  The pictures do not do it justice.  Again, these churches were built for God - not man.

Bishop's of London, going back REALLY far...

After our visit to St. Paul's we wandered down the street and happened to run into Temple Church.  This church was built by and for Templar Knights.  I don't know what is going on in the building's around it but the whole area is enclosed by a large wall and the offices are occupied by businesses who are part of the Templars...weird.  We didn't get a chance to go in because it closed right before we got there.

Graves outside the church - this apparently happens a lot as we learned because they run out of space.  These were Crusaders tombs...you can make out the shields.

After this we headed to find food and then back to the hotel to pack.

Both flights were totally fine and we were SO happy to be home in our bed.  However, we're not done with traveling!