London - Day 21
2010-10-13
This was our last day in London - tomorrow is a travel day home. We chose to use the day to explore an area south of the Thames called Southwark, so we tubed to the Tower Hill stop and walked past the Tower and across the Tower Bridge (with its gargoyles) to our first destination, the Fashion And Textile Museum. We've made two previous attempts to visit this museum, and each time they haven't been open for one reason or another. But in this instance, third time was indeed charmed and we saw a great exhibition on a British fashion house that was very famous in the 50s, and dressmaker to the Queen (among many other celebrities).
Another place in the area we've always wanted to see is a medical operating theater loft sealed off in 1865 that was rediscovered in 1956 and now open as a museum. You have to climb a dauntingly narrow and steep spiral staircase to get to it, but the interesting materials displayed made it all worth it.
Then we did our normal walkabout back to the Mansion House tube station, taking about a million or so pictures of the great architectural details all around us, and rode home to rest up for tomorrow's effort.
The normal question at this point would be whether or not we would recommend England as a vacation destination. We've been here so many times that the answer to that question is obvious. England's history is long and rich, so there are many historic places to see, and although this place is so very different than anywhere in America, the people, language, and customs make it instantly comfortable.
Whether you enjoyed our missives and pictures or merely tolerated them, they were fun to do and thanks to those who took the time to reply with encouragement. After some judicious editing, the entire picture collection will be posted soon for viewing.
Until Next Trip!
