From Gracie to Guggenheim
Trip Over to New York
Having seen Gracie Mansion from our cruise around Manhattan Island, it looked like it was definitely worth a visit. I looked it up online and called the number to book for the 1pm tour that day. Unable to get through, I left a message, but as the answering machine told me to expect a call back within a few days (by then I would be back in Sydney), the decision was made to head on up to Gracie Mansion and see if we could join the tour.
We headed out, jumping on to the #6 train from 28th Street to 86th Street, then walked a few blocks east down to the river. Gracie Mansion sits majestically looking over the East River in the top end of Carl Schurz Park on East End Ave at the end of 88th Street. Home to the New York City Mayor, should he choose to live there. Fortunately for us, Mayor Bloomberg chose not to, so it was more accessible to visitors. It is open, less often, for tours when a mayor is in residence, which is understandable – having tour groups coming through your private home would be a nightmare!
We arrived at the gates at around 12.45pm, where we met a lady who was checking off names of the people who had pre-booked. I explained that I had tried to book but couldn’t get through, I was tut-tutted at and told I should have called to book well in advance. After apologising for my tardy behaviour, we were sent up the back to stand with 3 others who had failed to book in advance. A lady in that group told me they had been standing up in the ‘naughty line’ for 10 minutes waiting to find out if their unruly behavior could be overlooked and they would be allowed in. There we all stood giggling like naughty school children waiting to discover our fate. The ‘good kids’ at the front were all ushered in through the gates while we were left outside not sure if that was it, or we would be allowed in, then the security guard came and said they had decided to let us in…………..we must have been forgiven. Phew!!
The tour was very interesting, lovely house (with creaking floors, a bit of joist work required), beautiful views out on to the gardens and the river, looking straight out at RFK and Hell Gate Bridges (Hell Gate Bridge is the one like a tiny Sydney Harbour Bridge). No photos were allowed to be taken inside, only in the gardens.
After the visit to Gracie Mansion was over we walked up East 88th Street, past the Church of the Holy Trinity to 5th Avenue to the Guggenheim Museum, first we went into the uninspiring looking restaurant for a late lunch, the menu looked good and we had high hopes after eating in some really great museum restaurants during our stay in New York. We should have realised there were problems when the couple on the next table were looking very glum, he had nearly finished his meal, she hadn’t yet been served. We saw another couple leaving having a heated discussion about the bill with the waiter. We ordered cocktails to drink while we read the menu. The cocktails still hadn’t arrived by the time we placed our order, then our soup was served, a fairly bland cauliflower soup with a sort of floating thing in it, still no cocktails and the couple on the next table had given up on her ever receiving her meal and walked out. Now there was only us and one other table of customers still there. Eventually we got our cocktails after asking many times, and every time the kitchen door opened the arguing and yelling in the kitchen could clearly be heard – it was like being in a TV drama.
I asked how much longer it would be before our main meals were served, the waiter disappeared back into the kitchen, lots more shouting could be heard. Eventually the waiter came out and plonked some plates in front of us, Christine got the meal she asked for, I didn’t.
I had ordered chicken that came with all sorts of vegetables, what I got was a pile of green spaghetti with 6 prawns dotted around the edge of the plate. I explained that wasn’t what I ordered and was told they had no chicken left so the chef cooked me that! I asked if I could see the menu so I could order something else (I suspect this is what happened to the couple next to us). Every time I said what I would like, they didn’t have it, I said I would keep the prawn thing and he offered to give us 10% off the bill – big mistake, the prawns were tasteless, the pasta was horrible, when he came back to see if everything was OK I told him it was disgusting, he said he would give us a free round of drinks. I thought that meant we wouldn’t have to pay for the cocktails we had already, but he brought more and said we would get a 10% discount on my meal only. I told him that I wasn’t prepared to pay for something I didn’t order that tasted so bad, now we were not only angry, we had too much to drink, those cocktails were strong. We asked for the bill, only paid for our soup and left. I told the lady at the entrance to the museum how bad it was, as she recommended it over the 3rd floor café. She was horrified.
Itinerary for Trip Over to New York
Flew from Sydney to New York on Qantas via LA.
Arranged to be picked up at JFK Airport with Viator for the drive into Chelsea, also used for the return trip.
Stayed for a month in magnificent artists loft in Chelsea, found on VRBO.
Bought a one month travel ticket for the NYC Subway.
Siena Duomo, building it took from the year 1215 until1348, it is an unbelievable place, all in black and white marble, the bell tower is so high you can see it from everywhere, if you can`t see it you will be able to see the Torre del Mangia, also built by 1348, rising up out of Palazzo Pubblico in Piazza Della Campo, the main square in Siena.
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#siena #sienaduomo #sienaduomobellissimagiornata #torredelmangia #piazzadelcampo #palazzopubblico #palazzopubblicodisiena #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #solotrip #italianhistory #italytravel #italytrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind
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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#siena #sienahistory #sienatravel #sienaitaly #sienaduomo #sienaduomobellissimagiornata #sienatrip #sienaitalia #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #insidethedome #upintherafters #viewfromthetop #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #italytravel #italytrip #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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
A bronze variation of David up the hill in Piazzale Michelangelo looking over Florence as if he owns the place.
The Florence he owns, the Duomo, amazing building, you can see it from everywhere.
Ponte Vecchio, and all the other bridges that cross the River Arno, apparently the Ferris wheel was put up at Christmas time and not taken down, maybe it`s waiting for next Christmas!!
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#david #michelangelo #michelangelosdavid #michelangelosdavidreplica #bronzesculptures #piazzalemichelangelo #florenceduomo #viewfromthetop #lookingoverflorence #pontevecchio #riverarno #florencebridges #viewsofflorence #blueskywhiteclouds #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #historicbuildingsenrichourlives
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
The amazing building that is the Victoria and Albert Museum, all the white marble at the main entrance with the V & A initials. The second pic is in the cafe amidst the columns, arches and lights.
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#victoriaandalbertmuseum #vandamuseum #whitemarble #vandacafe #bigroundlights #marblecolumns #historicalbuildingsenrichourlives #historicroyalpalaces #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #london #traveladdict #solotravelinlondon #solotravel #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #londontimes
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
At the end of my long walk, I found just what I needed, an 800 year old pub down by the Thames. Read about the walk I took to get to The Prospect of Whitby for my well deserved fish & chips, click the link in the bio.
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#theprospectofwhitby #historiclondonpub #fishandchips #londontrip #londonhistory #londonwalks #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #londonpub #london #londontravel #londonlife #londonlocals #londonsbest #londonstreets #londondaysout #traveltheworldwithme #travellerau #traveladdict #seeeverythingdoeverything
Walking around the north side of Sydney Harbour - no storms today!! Yet.......
All blue sky and sunshine 🌞 🌞🌞🌞🌞
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#sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyharbourwalks #rockpools #sydneyinsummertime #myhometown #outinthesunshine #blueskyandsubshine #sydneywalks #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything #travellerau #seekandyoushallfind
Inside The Prospect of Whitby that has been serving up drinks for 800 years!!! Swipe to see the board listing all the monarchs who have reigned since it opened, going back to Henry Vlll, they had just enough room to add Charles! And the wall of info about regular punter Samuel Pepys in the 1600s. Amazing history here....
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#theprospectofwhitby #oldlondonpubsarethebest #oldlondon #londonpub #historiclondon #london #londonwalks #londonlife #londontravel #londontrip #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #solotravelinlondon #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #londonhistory
Even this Azalea bush in my front garden wants to get in on the festive Christmas look!!
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#azalea #redazalea #redazaleaflowers #festiveplants #christmasinsydney #flowersinthestreets #christmasiscoming #sydneystreets #sydneysuburbs #sydneylocal #myhometown #sydneylife #onthecommute #walktowork #seetheworldthroughmylens
1. The lights in Piazza San Marco.
2. The bell ringers have the best view in Venice.
3. Someone`s private bridge and gondola?! I want it to be me 💖
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#piazzasanmarco #venetiancanals #venentianlife #venice #veniceisbeautiful #venicetravel #veniceitaly #visitvenice #neverstopexploring #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #neverstoptravelling #traveltheworldwithme
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
And all of this, along with everything in the previous pic all needs to fit into this suitcase.....hmmm!!!
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#packing #tripovertoitaly #tripovertolondon #neverstoptravelling #solotrip #howwillitallfit #howwillitallfitinmycase #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
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
Somewhere in Venice - I`m lost again 🤣!!
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#venicestreets #venicetravel #veniceintherain #venicearchitecture #venicetrip #venice #venicewalks #exploringvenice #italytravel #venicetravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #lostinvenice #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #neverstopexploring #traveladdict
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
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
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 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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#siena #sienahistory #sienatravel #sienaitaly #sienaduomo #sienaduomobellissimagiornata #sienatrip #sienaitalia #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #italianhistory #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #sienaduomopulpit
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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#venice #veniceitaly #venicewalks #venicetravel #veniceintherain #venicestreets #venicetrip #veniceart #dorsodura #dorsoduravenezia #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #seetheworldthroughmylens #windowshopping #artinvenice #seekandyoushallfind #traveltheworldwithme
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
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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#greyfriarslondon #greyfriarschurch #aftertheblitz #londonwalks #londonhistory #solotravelinlondon #longwalk #londonlife #walkingthestreetsoflondon #historiclondon #latesummersun #londontravel #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens
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
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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#sienahistory #siena #sienaduomo #sienatravel #sienaduomobellissimagiornata #sienatrip #sienaitalia #viewovertuscany #viewfromthetop #spiralstaircase #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #neverstopexporing #traveltheworldwithme
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
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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#sienahistory #siena #sienaduomo #sienatrip #sienatravel #sienaitaly #sienaduomobellissimagiornata #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #solotrip #italianhistory #italytravel #italytrip #solotravelinitaly #outsidethedome
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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#siena #sienaduomo #sienatrip #sienaitaly #sienahistory #italytravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #seekandyoushallfind #blackandwhitemarble #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy
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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#pittipalaceflorence #medici #palazzopitti #palazzopittiflorence #palazzopittimuseum #chandeliers #sculptures #carvedceilings #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #italianhistory
Looking out of the windows at Pitti Palace into Boboli Gardens where the rulers of Florence once lived.
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#pittipalaceflorence #boboligardens #florenceitaly #florencetrip #florencewalk #florence #florencetravel #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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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#florence #florenceitaly #florenceduomo #firenzecityitaly #firenzeduomo #florencetravel #florencetrip #solotravelinitaly #marblebuilding #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #italianhistory #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring
Postman`s Park, just up St Martin`s le Grand from St Paul`s Cathedral, was a lovely diversion on my long rambling walk through London`s south west east end! It was previously the London GPO, and burial grounds of some of the surrounding churches. It is now home to the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, remembering people who died saving others. Read more about this and the rest of my walk by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
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#postmanspark #postmansparklondon #postmansparkmemorial #londonwalk #walkinthepark #parkbench #historiclondon #london #londonlife #londoncalling #londonhistory #londonparks #londonsights #londontimes #londontravel #londontrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #londonisalwaysagoodidea
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
This is Porcellino, the bronze pig next to the New Market. Rubbing his nose brings you good fortune, so it is polished to a high shine from all the fortune seekers over the years. There is a replica of Porcellino on Macquarie Street in Sydney, so I`ll check in on my fortune when I get home!!
Second pic is the end of the Uffizi Gallery, down by the River Arno, the top floor is the Vasari Corridor, built so the Medici could walk from here, across Ponte Vecchio to Pitti Palace without having to put up with the stench from the butchers shops that used to be on the bridge, and not have to walk with the peasants.....it is being made ready for visitors, but will not be open until May 2024.....oh well, it looks like I`ll have to come back to Florence one day 🌞
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#florence #florenceitaly #florencetrip #florencetravel #porcellinofirenze #porcellino #uffizigallery #vasaricorridor #florencewalk #travelinitaly #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #neverstopexplroring #goodfortune #rubthepigsnoseforgoodluck #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict
The Martin Place Christmas tree is set up, but I am so over seeing it every year with the red and green beach ball look, surely we can have something different occasionally. Looks great for visitors, but if you live here........same old, same old......
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#martinplace #martinplacechristmastree #sydneycbd #sydneylife #sydney #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #sydneylocal #christmasinsydney #christmasiscoming #sydneylunchtime #fullertonhotelsydney #seetheworldthroughmylens
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
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
A couple of Lorikeets having a morning catch up on a tree at Cremorne Point on Sydney`s North Shore.
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#lorikeetsofinstagram #lorikeets #cremornepoint #cremornepointwalk #sydneylocal #sydney #sydneywalks #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #myhometown #travellerau #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneynatives #borntofly #walkinthepark #sydneyweekend #sydneynorthshore #sydneyparks
The Alfresco Emporium at the QVB, all Christmas ready 🎄!!
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#alfrescoemporium #alfrescoemporiumqvb #alfrescoemporiumchristmas #queenvictoriabuilding #christmastrees #christmasinsydney #christmasdecorations #shoppinginsydney #windowshopping #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydney #sydneylife #seetheworldthroughmylens
Happy New Year, above Sydney Harbour!!! Hope 2024 is a good one 🥂🤗
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#happynewyear #sydneyfireworks #bringon2024
Christmas lights on South Molton St in London.
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#london #christmaslightseverywhere #christmasinlondon🎄 #londontravel #southmoltonstreet #londonwalks #londonlife #christmasiscoming #christmasdecorationseverywhere #christmaslights #christmasready #londonwalks #bluechristmaslights
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
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 Bridge of Sighs in Venice with the gondolas going along the Canal underneath it, and a row of Manolo Valdes bronze sculptures in Piazza San Marco. They will apparently be there until mid June 2024.
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#venice #veniceart #venicetravel #venicetrip #veniceintherain #venicearchitecture #veniceitaly #brigeofsighs #gondolas #piazzasanmarcovenezia #manolovaldes #manolovaldesartwork #bronzesculptures #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #traveltheworldwithme
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
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
Just off London Wall the remains of the old Roman settlement of Londinium, the nearly 2000 year old walls surrounded by modern buildings. Find the map and story of my long walk through London`s history by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
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#londonwall #londonwalks #londiniumhood #london #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historygeek #solotravelinlondon #historiclondon #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicbuildingsuk #solotravel #solotravelerstories #solotrip #neverstopexploring
One of my favourite stores - Liberty, I love that is was built using the timber from a couple of old ships, it all creeks as you walk through. See the golden ship on the wind thingy on the roof of the 3rd pic. They usually have an amazing display hanging down through the middle of the store, I was expecting something with an Easter theme, but nothing!!
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#libertylondon #libertyaddict #liberty #shoppinginlondon #historicalbuildingsenrichourlives #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #londonstreets #londontaxi #londonlandmarks #oneofmyfavouriteplaces #oneofmyfavoritethings #tudorstyle #traveladdict #neverstopexploring #teaveltheworldwithme
