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.
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
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
The next place I came across was London Museum, but sadly it was "temporarily closed", but this horse sculpture was outside. Oh well, keep walking to see what`s around the next corner.....see the map of my walk and read about all the places I found along the way by clicking the link in the bio.
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#londontravel #londonmuseum #london #londonwalks #londonlife #londontrip #londoncalling #horsesculpture #artinpublicspaces #neverstopexploring #solotravelinlondon #solotravel #londonart #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveladdict #travellerau #traveltheworldwithme
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
On the harbour side walkway near Luna Park looking at all the Sydney icons, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Ferries.
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#sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyferries #milsonspoint #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneynorthshore #sydneyharbour #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneyweekend #sydneybythesea #sydneylocal #sydneylife #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travellerau #seetheworldthroughmylens
Manly Beach, on the in Harbour side just near where the ferry comes in.
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#manlybeachaustralia #manlybeach #sydneybeaches #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sailingboats #sydneylocal #sydneyweekend #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #sunshine #sydneyaustralia #seetheworldthroughmylens #neverstopexploring
Venice streets getting a good wash in the rain, the place in the second pic is where the Rialto markets are held in the mornings.
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#rialto #rialtomarkets #venice #veniceitaly #venicelife #veniceintherain #venicearchitecture #venicestreets #explorevenice #venicewalks #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #neverstopexporing #traveltheworldwithme #venicetrip #venicetravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything
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
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
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
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
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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#herdofhope #herdofhopelondon #spitalfields #spitalfieldsmarket #gillieandmarcart #gillieandmarc #artinthestreets #artinpublicplaces #sculptureart #sculptureoftheday #elephantsofinstagram #elephantfamily #londontrip #londontravel #londonwalks #selfguidedwalk #solotravelinlondon #explorelondon #london #traveladdict
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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#albertmemorial #royalalberthall #royalalberthalllondon #princealbertmonument #kensingtongardens #vandamuseum #victoriaandalbertmuseum #londontravel #londontrip #londonhistory #londoncalling #londonisalwaysagoodidea #seekandyoushallfind #londonwalks #londonparks #londonlandmarks #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #royalparksandgardens
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
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
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
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
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
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
Walking around Kirribilli on the north shore of Sydney Harbour, between storms!! What`s going on with the weather these days???
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#kirribilli #milsonspoint #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyoperahouseaustralia #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #palmtrees #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #northsydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #myhometown #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme
The newest cruise ship to come into Sydney Harbour, Richard Branson`s latest venture, The Resilient Lady, moored off Cremorne Point. It makes the ferry look like a toy boat!
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#resilientlady #resilientladyvirginvoyages #virginvoyages #richardbranson #sydneyharbour #cremornepoint #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneynorthshore #sydneybythesea #sydneylocal #myhometown #blueskyandsunshine #walkinthesun #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneyferries
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
On a walk around Cremorne Point the water looked so inviting, apart from the jagged shells on the rocks on the shoreline.....
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#cremornepointwalk #cremornepoint #northshore #sydneyweekend #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #sydneylocal #sydneynorthshore #sydneybythesea #sydneyinsummertime #sydneywalks #sydneywaterways #sydneyaustralia #sydneynativeplants #sydneyharbourwalks #seetheworldthroughmylens
Sydney Harbour Bridge doing it`s thing!!🥂
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#happynewyear #bringon2024 #sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyharbour
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
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
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
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
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
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
Westfield is rolling out Christmas to get everyone in the mood......
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#christmasinsydney #christmasdecorationseverywhere #christmasdecoratingideas #christmasiscoming #christmastrees #christmaslights #christmaslightseverywhere #shoppinginsydney #sydneyshopping #sydneylocal #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydney
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
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
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
