Trip Over to Florence
David – Florence’s Favourite Son
Our day out in Florence was inspired by David, Florence’s favourite son – Or is Michelangelo her favourite? I’m not really sure. Michelangelo wasn’t actually from Florence, or Firenze, as it is known in Italy. He was born in 1475 in Caprese, about 100km away. But David, on the other hand, was created in Florence by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504 – so I’m going to stick with David being the favourite son.
Michelangelo was originally commissioned to create one of a series of statues of prophets to be positioned along the roofline of the east end of Florence Cathedral, (also known as Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, Il Duomo di Firenze or simply the Duomo). But David was placed instead in a public square, outside the Palazzo Vecchio, the seat of civic government in Florence, in the Piazza della Signoria where he was unveiled on September 8, 1504. He was placed with his eyes looking in the direction of Rome, with a warning glare. I actually think his stare, (and stance), is a very cool look of, “Don’t even think about it, I’ve got this…………..”
In 1873 the decision was made to move David inside, out of the weather, to the Galleria dell’Accademia, I did go there to see the original, but wasn’t allowed to take photos there. I have noticed online that many others have, but they were very strict the day I was there. The original is huge, just over 5mt tall. He is heavily guarded these days to protect him from further attacks, like the one in 1991 when someone took to him with a hammer, damaging the toes on his left foot. He does suffer from a few hair line fractures possibly caused by movement in the ground he stands on. He holds most of his weight on his right foot throwing off his centre of gravity. Maybe someone needs to create something for him to stand on that absorbs the natural movement and vibrations in the earth, after all, he is getting on a bit.
A replica was placed where the original stood in Piazza della Signoria, apparently the same size, but doesn’t seem to be, maybe because of the vast space he stands in as opposed to the original with a roof over his head. I have tried to find out who created this replica, but have been unable to. Maybe that was part of the deal, remain anonymous or you don’t get paid. From where I am standing, anyone who can create a replica of David from a chunk of marble is a very talented individual (or team) indeed. In fact, anyone who can pour something into a mould, get it out, stand it up, and it looks like David also has skills beyond anything I’ll ever have.
Having left the comfort of the Savoy Hotel in Piazza della Repubblica, after breakfast, we walked up Via Calimala to the Mercato Nuovo to see Il Porcellino, the bronze pig. Again, a replica of the original marble boar created by Pietro Tacca in the early 1600s. Rubbing the boar’s snout ensures that one day you will return to Florence (and keeps it polished to a high sheen!)
Taking a detour via the Piazza della Signoria, to see (replica) David, and up past the Uffizi Gallery we arrived at the River Arno and walked through the arches under the Vasari Passage and across the Ponte Vecchio. Turning left we walked along the river until we got to the path to climb up toward Piazzale Michelangelo up on the hill on the south side of the river. From there you have amazing views over Florence and beyond to the surrounding hills.
As we climbed up the path way, we stopped a few times to take photos (really, to catch our breath…) It was amazing to be looking over the rooftops of Florence and seeing the Tower at the Palazzo Vecchio rising up into the sky. Further away was the imposing dome and tower of the Duomo, and around to the east, the Torre della Zecca left rather unceremoniously as a traffic island after its past as a major lookout tower on the old city walls protecting the nearby bridge across the Arno. The Tower of Saint Nicholas still stands there proudly, it was also part of the cities defensive walls, originally built in 1324, having survived the 19th century destruction of most of the walls to make way for the urbanisation of Florence, you can climb its 160 steps for a view over the city. Fortunately we were very happy with the views we had from the path leading to the top of the hill.
Along the way there are little make-shift market stalls selling “designer” handbags, and various souveniers, most involving David. On bags, on cushions, as key rings, you name it, you can get it with a little David on it.
There were many people on the path stopping to ask us to sign petitions for various things, mainly to prevent drug problems. How my signature would help this situation is beyond me. Always just decline this, and move on. They are all pick-pockets, once you have both hands busy holding the clip-board and the pen, writing your name, address and email address, they will be checking your bag and pockets. They will tell you that they are in Florence studying art and this is their holiday job, or that they are volunteers to the cause – they are lying to you, don’t let their perfect English and passionate description of what they are doing fool you, all they want is your wallet. Some of the time it must work, or they wouldn’t do it – please don’t let it be you.
The sight of the magnificent neo-classical Loggia dominating the Piazzale Michelangelo made it all worthwhile. It was originally built in the late 1800s, the architect’s dream was that it was to house a collection of Michelangelo’s works, but that didn’t happen – sadly, not all dreams can come true. It is now a fabulous restaurant where we enjoyed lunch at a table in one of the arches, eating beautiful meals, drinking nice Tuscan wine, while looking over the gardens, the activity in the square and out over Florence.
There is a bronze (replica) David in the Piazzale, also by an unnamed artist. We had our lunch while David was surrounded by Ferraris, and he wasn’t the slightest bit interested. It seemed there was some sort of Ferrari promotion going on that day, people were taking them for test drives on the winding roads in the area.
After lunch, and some time taking in the view and looking at the Ferraris, it was time to head back down to Florence. At the start of the path there is a fantastic view of a remaining stretch of the ancient walls that once surrounded Florence. We walked through Porta San Miniato, the gate in the wall as we got closer to the river, it has been there since the 1300s and the locals live around it and walk through on a daily basis more than 600 years later. I have a complete fascination for places that so many people have walked through for hundreds of years, and now I am doing it – for some unknown reason, it really impresses me.
It was pointed out by a tour guide, an art student, when we went to see the real David, that his right hand is out of proportion as compared to the size of his head. She explained that this was part of Michelangelo’s genius, as David was originally commissioned to stand high up on the eastern end of the Duomo. See in the photo below on the right there is a sort of balcony looking area – the plan was that David and some others were going to stand in these areas around that end of the Duomo. The art student explained that Michelangelo did this on purpose, making the hand bigger, so then when you looked up at David so high above you, everything looked in proportion. But, the flaw in this is that if that was the case, it should have been the other way around, the head should have been bigger and the hand smaller. So it’s probably best if we just don’t go there, and I wish she hadn’t mentioned it because all I see now is a big right hand, which I hadn’t thought of as out of proportion before. But Michelangelo is still a genius, it was a huge block of marble to start with, and he turned it into a man – that in itself is an act of genius.
Anyway, Michelangelo’s studio, now a museum, is just behind the Duomo, and once David was finished they very quickly realised they had no way to lift this giant naked man with the rippling six pack, weighing more than 6 tons, up into the position reserved for him. So after much deliberation from a committee that included Leonardo da Vinci, it was decided that David should stand at the entrance to Palazzo Vecchio, in Piazza della Signoria, which he did from 1508 until he was moved inside the Galleria dell’Accademia in 1873.
Itinerary for Trip Over to Florence
Flew from Sydney to Rome via Dubai, with Qantas/Emirates.
Stayed in an apartment near Largo di Argentina for a month – rented through Sleep in Italy.
Walked all over Rome, bought a one month transport ticket for buses, the metro and some trains.
We caught the fast train from Rome Termini to Florence, and stayed for 3 nights at the Hotel Savoy.
While in Florence we went on a tour with Viator to Siena and San Gimignano.
Arranged for us to be picked up at the airport on arrival, and taken back at the end of our holiday with a private transfer with Viator.
Loved this hat stall at Spitalfields Market in London, might go back and get a Fedora on my next visit later this month. Wish I had an occasion that requires a hot pink top hat, or that vintage leather top hat case.
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#spitalfields #spitalfieldsmarket #londonmarketsarethebest #londonmarkets #hatstall #tophats #fedorafashion #vintageleathercase #vintageleatherhatbox #londonwalks #londonsbest #londontravel #londonwalks #londontrip #londonpics #keepyourhaton #spitalfieldslondon #seeeverythingdoeverything #londonisalwaysagoodidea #traveltheworldwithme
Strolling around the arty area of Venice, Dorsoduro, looking in the windows of some of the galleries, this is a quieter area across Academia Bridge, turn left!!
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After climbing up about 70 to 80 steps on a really narrow stone spiral staircase you are up near the dome of the Siena Duomo, from there you get a whole different view looking down into the Cathedral, and up inside the dome.
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Inside Siena Duomo, amazing to think it was built over 1000 years ago, and is still standing in original condition. You can pretty much guarantee that there will be nothing built today that will still be standing in 1000 years!!
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Manly Beach, on the in Harbour side just near where the ferry comes in.
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The pulpit in Siena Duomo, and the stairs leading up to it, I can`t get over the fact that people have been walking in here for over 1000 years, and I`m one of them🌞
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Somewhere in Venice - I`m lost again 🤣!!
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Looking down Barrack St, peeking between the Burberry Building and the old Sydney GPO, now the Fullerton Hotel, at Martin Place getting set up for the Christmas markets.
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#christmastree #christmasmarket #martinplace #barrackstreet #martinplacechristmastree #starontop #sydneycbd #sydneychristmas #sydneylife #sydneyshopping #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #seetheworldthroughmylens #australianflag #explorethecityyoulivein
Pitti Palace was the home of the Medici family, who ruled over Florence for most of thr period from 1434 until 1737. They lived in absolute luxury in this massive Palace with m massive gardens, chandeliers and sculptures are in every room. On the side of the Palace that didn`t look over their gardens, the windows were higher so the peasants couldn`t look in, so they built little stairs to walk up if they wanted to look out.
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Looking out of the windows at Pitti Palace into Boboli Gardens where the rulers of Florence once lived.
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And all of this needs to fit into this bag.......then the fun can begin!!!
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#packing #howwillitallfitinmycarryon🤦🏻♀️ #traveltrauma #neverstoptravelling #tripovertolondon #tripovertoitaly #solotravel #travelsddict
The Florence Duomo, all made of marble, hoping to go inside once the Easter crowds disappear, also hoping the Easter crowds do disappear!!
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Now the fun begins, packing for my adventure to London and Italy, I have to fit all this into my smaller than usual suitcase.....no, not the cushions and pillows!!!
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#packing #tripovertoitaly #tripovertolondon #neverstoptravelling #solotrip #solotravel
David acting cool in Piazza Della Signoria, he`s not the real David. The real one by Michelangelo was taken away for safe keeping inside Galleria dell`Accademia in 1910 and this one replaced him. You are not allowed to photograph the real one. I have no idea who created this David, but I think anyone who can create a David, or even any recognisable shape out of a piece of rock is pretty skilled!!!
The second pic is a bronze sratue of Perseus having severed the head of Medusa. This one is in the Loggia dei Lanzi, just near David.
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#florence #piazzadellasignoria #loggiadeilanzi #david #michelangelo #perseusfirenze #perseuswithmedusashead #artinpublicspaces #sculptures #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
This whatever it is reptile was just standing on a rock happily watching everyone walking by at Cremorne Point in Sydney. Lizards things are not my favourites, but hey, I was visiting their home. Hopefully they understand, I am not returning the favour!!
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#reptilesofinstagram #reptile #lizardofinstagram #lizardonarock #sydneynatives #sydneywildlife #cremornepointwalk #cremornepoint #watchingyou #sydneylocal #sydneywalks #sydneyweekend #sydneynorthshore #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #myhometown #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens #neverstopexploring
Christmas angels lighting up Jermyn Street, St James`s, London.
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The Albert Memorial that Queen Victoria had built after the death of Prince Albert, her husband. It stands in Kensington Gardens looking over the Royal Albert Hall. The second pic is a model of it in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
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Bronze sculpture of Maktao, an orphaned elephant, by Gillie and Marc. He`s playing with the rest of his herd at Spitalfields Market in London. Click on my website link in the bio to find out about all my finds on my long walk in London.
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#maktao #theherdofhope #herdofhope #herdofhopelondon #londonwalks #spitalfields #spitalfieldsmarket #london #londonlife #ifoundparadise #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #londonstreets #londonsbest #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme
Walking up hundreds of steps on a centuries old spiral staircase was a killer, but so worth it for the view from the top of what was going to be the high alter in Siena Duomo, but building stopped in 1339 when the black death wiped out a lot of the population, and it has just stood there like thus for the last 1000 years, it is really high and only about one metre wide!!
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So many photo ops in Venice, I`m loving it, just wandering around, getting lost, getting found again.....beautiful!! 😊
The internet here is a bit difficult at times, so posting photos taken with my camera has become quite an exercise, but we`re getting there.
#Venice #venetiancanals #lovevenice #gondola #exploringvenice #veniceisbeautiful #waterworld #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #venicetravel #neverstopexploring
At the Rialto Markets in Venice, seemed to be a lot of locals shopping there, I bought a punnet of strawberries, so fresh and juicy. I thought the Risstto kits looked like great gift ideas, but bringing food items back to Australia isn`t going to work.
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#rialtomarkets #shoppinginvenice #wherethelocalsshop #fishmarket #fruitandveggies #veniceitaly #venicewalks #venicelife #venicetrip #venicetravel #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #travellerau #traveladdict
Surfers dotted around in the ocean hoping to catch a wave out near the headland off Manly Beach in Sydney.
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#pacificocean #manlybeachaustralia #manlybeach #surfing #outintheocean #sydneyweekend #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneycoastalwalks #sydneybeaches #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Flower carts at Covent Garden in London, one of the beautiful market places in London, and has been for hundreds of years.
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#coventgarden #coventgardenmarket #coventgardenlondon #flowercart #londonmarketsarethebest #londonmarkets #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #seekandyoushallfind #londonwalks #london #solotravelinlondon #solotravel #exploringlondon
The dome of St Paul`s Cathedral in London, this was the starting point for my walk that went slightly off piste!! I kept getting side-tracked by more points of interested until I realised I had been wandering around exploring for 7 hours!!!
Read all about it and see more pictures by clicking the link in the bio, I`ve included a map so you can do it too🌞
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#stpaulscathedral #stpaulsdome #londonwalks #londonhistory #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #londontravel #londontrip #londonpics #londonsights #london #londonsbest #londontimes #londonarchitecture #londondiaries #londoncalling #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme #solotravelinlondon
Taken from the little balcony surrounding the dome of Siena Duomo. A great experience to be able to go up there, then to go outside to see the views as well as look down into the inside of the Cathedral.
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The old dock yards converted into rows of town houses and canals, so close to the busy centre of London, but so quiet. That`s Tower Bridge in the background of one of the first pic. I`m so pleased I just kept walking that day with no plan, just looking to see what I could find. Follow along and read about my long walk by clicking the link to my website.
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#stkatherinesdock #londoncanals #downbytheriver #towerbridge #livinginparadise #londontravel #londonlife #londonlocals #london #solotravelinlondon #longwalk #londontrip #londonhistory #londonwalks #londoncalling #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Vivid colours on the walk around Cremorne Point on Sydney`s North Shore.
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#cremornepointwalk #cremornepoint #australiannativeplants #sydneyharbourwalks #harboursidewalks #sydneywalks #orangeflowers #pinkflowers #freshairandsunshine #sydneyweekend #sydneybythesea #sydneylocal #myhometown #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneynativeplants
Went on a really interesting tour at the Royal Albert Hall yesterday, behind the scenes and how it came to being is amazing! The new sculptures of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip are looking good.
You have to wonder how it is that without technology they were able to create this magnificent building with all the carved stone work, and then more recently, with technology up the wazoo they stick ugly poles through it to hold up the ugly awning. Sure the awning is great if it`s raining, but seriously!????!!
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#royalalberthall #London #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #londonwalks #londonhistoty #exploringlondon #londontravel #londontrip #solotravelinlondon #solotravel #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme #seekandyoushallfind
In the main square of Florence, Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio with the Torre di Arnolfo rising from above it, and next to Palazzo Vecchio is Loggia dei Lanzi, full of sculptures from Florence`s history.
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#palazzovecchiofirenze #palazzovecchioflorence #loggiadeilanzi #michelangelosdavidreplica #perseusfirenze #perseuswithmedusashead #piazzadellasignoria #florenceitaly #florencetrip #florencewalk #florencetravel #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #solotrip #solotravelinitaly
The elephant sculptures by Gillie and Marc at Spitalfields Market in London, The Herd of Hope is raising awareness of the plight the elephants face due to poaching and habitat destruction. Go to my website to read more about them, see more pictures and read about my long walk in London. Link in the bio.
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Further along London Wall, the remains of the hospital entrance, Elsyng Spital, built in the 1300s, but a couple of World Wars were too much for it.....😒 Visit my website by clicking the link in the bio, to read about my long walk through London`s history.
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Another reptile looking over a rock to check out the surf at Manly Beach in Sydney.
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#lizardonarock #lizardofinstagram #lizardlife #reptile #manlybeachaustralia #manlybeach #sydneybeaches #sydneybythesea #sydneyweekend #sydneylocal #myhometown #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywalks #sydneynative
Looking across Sydney Harbour from Cremorne Point on Sydney`s North Shore.
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#sydneynorthshore #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyferries #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyharbourbridge #fortdenison #sydneycbd #sydneyweekend #sydneybythesea #sydneylocal #sydneyinsummertime #sydney #sydneywalks #cremornepointwalk #cremornepoint
The bomb damaged remains of Greyfriars Church, near St Paul`s in London. This was the starting point of a really long walk around London where I kept walking and exploring, that led to more walking and exploring until I ended up in a 800 year old pub eating fish and chips by the River Thames.... I was in London in October and have finally finished writing the story of my long walk, link to my website is in the bio. I`ve put a map in showing where I walked, so if you want to see all the places I found along the way.......start walking!!
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As I continued my London walk after crossing through Smithfield Market I came across St John`s Gate, originally built in 1148!!! Sure it`s had work done, but still......amazing!! Click the link in the bio to read about my long walk and see all the amazing places I found along the way.
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#stjohnsgate #stjohnsgateclerkenwell #selfguidedwalk #solotravelinlondon #solotravel #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicbuildingsuk #londonhistory #london #londonwalks #londonlife #londontravel #londontrip #londoncalling #londonstyle #londonarchitecture #travellerau #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstopexploring
The streets of Siena, some are flat, or flattish, they undulate with the terrain they were built on centuries ago, some are steep slopes, some are steep steps, some are a combination three, but all are interesting...
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#sienahistory #sienatravel #siena #sienaitaly #sienatrip #sienaitalia #sienastreets #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italianhistory #italytravel #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #traveltheworldwithme #travelinitaly
Inside the Royal Albert Hall as they set up for the next performance, not sure what is behind that grubby screen!
2. Apparently the design of the interior was based on the Colluseum in Rome.
3. The King`s Box, they put different chairs in there when it is used by the monarch, often these seats are given to other members of the family, or friends, or staff to attend performances.
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#royalalberthall #royalalberthalllondon #insidethetheatre #londontrip #londontravel #londonpics #londoncalling #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #solotravel #solotravelinlondon #walkalloverthecity #neverstoptravelling
Spencer House in St James`s, London, is the home built by Diana`s ancestors so they has a place in the city as well as Althorp House where Diana grew up. Both houses are owned by Diana`s brother, the current Earl Spencer.
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#spencerhouse #spencerhouselondon #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #chandeliers #columns #statues #palmroom #stjamess #londonlocals #london #londonwalks #londontravel #londontrip #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #seekandyoushallfind #solotravel
On the "beach" side of the Prospect of Whitby on the River Thames. It was originally named The Pelican 800 years ago, the stairs to the river still have that name, later named The Prospect of Whitby after a ship that used to moore out the front. When I arrived at the pub the tide was lapping around the top of the steps, by the time I had finished eating, the tide had gone out completely!! I wasn`t eating for that long, and only one glass of wine!!! The water on the Thames moves fast!!
#theprospectofwhitby #pelicanstairs #pelicanstairslondon #riverthames #historicpubcrawlslondon #londonsoldestpub #londontravel #londontrip #londonlife #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historiclondon #oldlondonpub #londonwalks #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #london #traveladdict #travellerau #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #solotravelinlondon
The other side of St John`s Gate, looking south. Pic 2 is the detail of the ceiling inside the gateway. Click on the link to my website to read about my walk and all the interesting places I found along the way. I have included a map for others who enjoy a self-guided walk.
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#stjohnsgateclerkenwell #stjohnsgate #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historiclondon #historicchurch #history #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londonwalks #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #london #londonstreets #londonsbest #seekandyoushallfind #traveltheworldwithme #12thcenturyarchitecture
Finding inspiration all over the V and A Museum, all the flattened musical instruments strung across this void with fishing line are certainly an idea if you happen to have a lot of flat musical instruments and don`t know what to do with them!!
2. A 17th century table decoration made of lots of small glass vases hooked on to a larger glass vase.
3. One of Dale Chihuly`s glass creations hanging above the main entrance lobby of the museum.
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#victoriaandalbertmuseum #vandamuseum #musicaldecoration #glasstabledecoration #glassvases #dalechiluly #dalechihulyart #dalechihulyglassinbloom #inspiration #artinstallation #exploringlondon #londontravel #londontrip #londonpics #solotravel #solotravelinlondon #walkalloverthecity #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens
The Christmas tree in the QVB is in place rising up into the dome.
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#qvb #queenvictoriabuilding #christmastree #christmasdecorations #christmasdecorationseverywhere #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneycbd #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #sydneychristmas #shoppinginsydney #christmasready #sydney #sydneylocal #seekandyoushallfind
St Bartholomew the Great`s Gatehouse, the arch was built in the 1300s as the entrance to the church yard and the little Tudor house was built on top of it in the 1500s. It survived the Great Fire of London and came through both Worlds Wars unscathed. Swipe to see the 2nd picture from inside the church yard looking out. Read about it and all the other things I found on my walk by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
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#tudorhouse #tudorarchitechturalstyle #londonarchitecture #stbartholomewthegreat #stbartholomewsgatehouse #londonhistory #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historiclondon #londonwalks #londontravel #londonlife #londontrip #londonpics #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #londonstreets #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring
All this time I thought it was a TV show 🤣😂 "Computer says no....!" It`s actually a street named Little Britain as in the 1500s The Duke of Brittany lived here. And I liked the City of London bollards, they mean business. Read about my long walk in the south west east end of London by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
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#littlebritain #littlebritainlondon #cityoflondonbollards #londonwalks #selfguidedwalk #eastend #londonsbest #london #londonlife #londontrip #londontravel #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #solotravelinlondon #seekandyoushallfind #traveladdict #somuchstilltoseeanddo #lovelondon
This is Musiara, an orphaned elephant rescued after poachers attacked her mum. There are 21 bronze sculptures created by Gillie and Marc now located in Spitalfields, London. I have a new post about them that you can read by clicking the link to my website, in the bio.
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#musiara #herdofhope #herdofhopelondon #bronzeelephants #londontravel #londonwalks #seekandyoushallfind #spitalfields #spitalfieldsmarket #london #gillieandmarcart #artinpublicplaces #bronzeelephantsculptures #sculptureoftheday #sculptureinthecity #londontrip #londonlife #solotravelerstories #solotravelinlondon #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict
The She Wolf feeding Romulus and Remus is the symbol of Siena. The wolf, lupe in Italian, is also one of the Contradas that make up all the different areas of Siena.
2. Siena Duomo bell tower peaking over the top of other buildings.
3. Porta Camollia, the entrance gate to the walled city of Siena, you arrive at this gate after coming up many escalators from the station.
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#shewolf #lupe #romulusandremus #sienaduomo #portacamollia #siena #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #solotravel #sienatrip #sienatravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotravelinitaly
I spent hours wondering around the Boboli Gardens behind Pitti Palace in Florence, some of the stairs are very steep and seem to go on forever, like the ones in the pic behind Neptune`s Island. Then miles further away there was suddenly this giant sculpture of a head, or really just a face and neck.....
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#boboligardens #neptunesisland #reflectionsonwater #giantheadsculpture #parksinflorence #stairsinthepark #stairwaytoheaven #walkinthepark #neptubesculpture #pittipalaceflorence #florenceitaly #florence #florencetrip #solotravelinitaly #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seekandyoushallfind
Christmas has come to Sydney!! The Strand Arcade always beautiful anyway, now dressed up in it`s finest festive kit.
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#strandarcade #strandarcadesydney #christmasinsydney #christmasiscoming #christmasdecorations #christmasdecorationseverywhere #christmasdecoratingideas #festiveseason #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #historicalbuildingsenrichourlives #shoppinginsydney #sydneylunchtime #sydneylocal #myhometown #traveladdict #seetheworldthroughmylens
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