Westminster Abbey, United Kingdom Travel Journals & Blogs

Traveler Platinum Jubilee Trip
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- May 31, 2022, 6:34pm
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey Westminster Hall 51.501258, -0.12643951°30’5” N 0°7’35” W
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London At Last!
May 31, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Wow!

To say I’m exhausted is an understatement but that didn’t stop me from my ritual of heading straight to my London ‘touch point’ Big Ben! Even against a dreary drizzly London Spring day the recent refurbishment looks awesome: shiny golden & new! The accomodation is one tube stop from the Elizabeth Tower so I walked above ground, from Embankment, along the Thames, to catch a glimpse today…and, as always, my heart skipped a beat! 🕰🥰

I was going to leave it at that (as I knew the 30+ travel hours had taken a toll) but I seemed to just follow the crowd and check out the local area…ended up walking down the Mall to Buckingham Palace to see that there were some rehearsals going on but sadly realised that seeing the actual artists on stage would not be possible because huge fences have been erected around the entire area…oh well…I’m still here so that’s the main thing. Many roads have been closed so it was quite unique to be wandering around the middle of the road without traffic…
And: check out the flags & bunting everywhere.

Pushed myself as far as I could so I could actually comprehend that I was finally here! Hopefully after an actual sleep 😴 in a bed, I will be renewed to explore, celebrate and reflect on the history defining moment I’m about to be a part of!

Such a shame Richard can’t be here to enjoy the jubilant Jubilee with me. These are the times we still live in…although you’d never know it here in London: nobody is wearing masks 😷 anymore, anywhere: the tube is packed and it’s business as usual!

Good night
It’s 9.30pm and still light out! Seems strange but tomorrow is Summer here…alas, I feel I’ve made a slight packing error! Well, the shorts should come in handy next week in Italy 🇮🇹Read more
Traveler So so happy for you. Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy
5/31/22Reply
Traveler Love ❤️ your excitement x
5/31/22Reply
Yay u arrived...Sleep well matey ❤️ [Mon]
5/31/22Reply
Traveler F###! Im so bloody exhausted 😩😜😜
5/31/22Reply
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Traveler MS Columbus
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- Dec 11, 2019, 6:14pm
- ⛅ 6 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey 51.4964, -0.122451°29’47” N 0°7’21” W
Day 8
Im Hafen von Tilbury
December 11, 2019 in England ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Wir konnten den Hafen von Antwerpen auf Grund zu starkem Seegangs nicht verlassen. Wir sind erst heute morgen um 4 Uhr losfahren und erst heute Mittag um16 Uhr in Tilbury angekomme. Die neuen Passagiere sind daher auch jetzt erst später an Bord gekommen. Der safety Drill findet um 22 Uhr statt und danach fahren wir erst Richtung Amsterdam los.
Heute habe ich dafür dann frei 😊. Morgen früh heißt es erstmal arbeiten und dann Amsterdam besuchen.

Meine Mitbewohnerin und ich haben keine Lust auf Putzen und die Uniform zur Reinigung zu bringen. Daher Haben wir seit gestern einen cabincleaner. Er kommt 2 die Woche und kümmert sich um alles 😅. Pro Person nimmt er nur 30 Euro im Monat. Wofür sollen wir uns den Stress machenRead more
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Traveler Ja voll geil ist ja geschenkt 😅
12/12/19Reply
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Traveler Platinum Jubilee Trip
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- Jun 1, 2022, 12:43pm
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey Westminster Hall 51.5009, -0.12659251°30’3” N 0°7’36” W
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Royal Jubilee 👑 Walking Tour
June 1, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
This is my view for lunch today! The sun has come out and people are everywhere… The atmosphere is electric and jubilant! I truly feel honoured to be in London at this historic time. This is history and I am in it!

Today, as I did 25 years ago for the first time, I headed to the Tesco at Westminster tube station, right next door to Big Ben and bought a lunch deal for 5 pound! As I enjoy my BBQ Chicken, bacon & Cheese with Branston pickle “Garden Party Picnic 🧺 style” Big Ben chimes 1pm: a pinch-myself moment!

Our guide Claire took us to all the rehearsal hotspots today and we were able to get some fantastic footage of changing the guards and learn about the best spots to be for all the long weekend celebrations!

We started at James Park tube station and headed to Queen Anne’s Walk. We saw some typical Queen Anne style architecture over doors (see photos). She was last Queen of the Stuart era. None of her children lived to continue to Stuart dynasty sadly.

Afterwards we headed to St Jame’s Palace, built by King Henry the VIII, in typical Tudor style. We saw a black chauffeur driven vehicle head into Clarence house (which is next door). We all hoped it could be Charles & Camilla…

Overwhelmed with emotion and as I watched the guards march down the Mall I honestly was beginning to tear up, realising where I was and what was happening all around me! It is a truly life changing experience to be here at this moment in time!Read more
And it’s something nowhere else in the world has. They can criticise the royals all they like but the ‘people’ love them and the pomp and ceremony. Long love the Queen [Julie Torcasio]
6/1/22Reply
Traveler The respect that everyone has for the Queen is palpable! It is everywhere, everyone is excited and jubilant… All of the pubs are decorated and all the shops have bunting and flags as well!
6/1/22Reply
Traveler I saw the guards marching down the mall on the news and thought of you!!! I was evening looking for you in the crowd!! I'm ecstatic for you. ❤❤❤🍾🍾🍾🍾🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂
6/1/22Reply
Traveler I’m in the video! Next to rainbow 🌈 umbrella ☂
6/1/22Reply
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Traveler Platinum Jubilee Trip
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- Jun 3, 2022, 2:20pm
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 14 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey Westminster Hall 51.499455, -0.12201751°29’58” N 0°7’19” W
Jubilee High Tea on the Thames
June 3, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Started the day with a wander through the beautiful Covent Garden… Compared to yesterday it was bliss being able to just wander aimlessly along the cobbled streets & soak up the atmosphere.

Happened upon a cute little French bakery in one of my all time favourite areas, Soho, Cafe Boheme, pulled up a chair & soaked in the atmosphere: Billy Holiday crooning while devouring freshly made coffee (the best I’ve had in London) and flaky baked croissant 🥐

Continued on to search for the Phoenix garden which is the last of the Covent Garden community gardens. It was featured in one of my favourite Christmas movies, Last Christmas! So peaceful 🪴 nothing but birdsong and filtered sunlight through the trees 🌳…a touching tribute to George Michael on the entrance gate.

This afternoon Marta and I enjoyed high tea on the Thames in honour of the Queen! It was quite hilarious… You could tell that it was slightly disorganised & the staff were flying by the seat of their pants! It was like being a board a Carry On movie set! The girl that was at the bar all of a sudden became the commentator on the Queen‘s life. Her commentary was rushed and very cockney. Later up at the bar I told her she did a good job and she said (…in an Eliza Doolittle accent: “I ain’t that good on me Roman numerals so I just made up the Queen and King numbers!”
Too funny!
I ate and drank way too much! The scones were like rock cakes; I was careful not to drop them into the Thames for fear of killing some of the marine life LOL!

Added bonus of going under all the London bridges and checking out the big name attractions from a new angle!

Another great day in bustling London Town! A magnificent 21 degree day! 🇬🇧🧁🥰☀️🥳👑Read more
Traveler It’s so lovely to see every picture of you grinning like a Cheshire Cat I’m so glad you are having such a great time, you so deserve it. And your pictures and video are just great London is such a amazing place filled with amazing buildings and people you certainly didn’t need a camera. Keep enjoying.
6/3/22Reply
Traveler Thanks 🙏 I’m glad you’re enjoying following along! I knew I had to share the Royal Extravaganza with a fellow royalist! 😜😜🎉🎉👑👑🥰🥰👍🏻👍🏻🥳🥳🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
6/3/22Reply
Traveler As you can now probably tell; I absolutely love ❤️ London!
6/3/22Reply
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UK 2023
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- Jul 9, 2023, 9:40am
- ☁️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 13 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey Westminster Hall 51.501667, -0.12333351°30’6” N 0°7’24” W
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Day 30
River Thames
July 9, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
What do you do on your last day in the country when the forecast is rain all day....

Buy tickets for an open-top cruise on the River Thames of course.

We got lucky, the forecast rain never showed and we had a great time on our 1 hour cruise to Greenwich.

We boarded the boat, to Tom's delight it named the Thomas Dogget, and we had a running commentary for the whole cruise, pointing out all the sights on the trips we went past. The highlight was probably sailing under the Tower Bridge.Read more
Traveler The main thing that I will remember from this boat trip is the fact that in the past convicted smugglers and pirates were executed by being chained the the river wall at low tide so that the tide would drown them as it rose. 😖 Awful
7/9/23Reply
Traveler You haven’t watched outlander. That is how a bad person is executed in that show/book
7/9/23Reply
Traveler They look like very uncomfortable seats.
7/9/23Reply
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Traveler Kreuzfahrt Norwegen/Lofoten
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- Jun 26, 2023, 5:20pm
- ☁️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey 51.4964, -0.122451°29’47” N 0°7’21” W
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Day 8
Herrlichster Sonnenschein auf den Lofote
June 26, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
Schon morgens um kurz nach 6 Uhr hatten wir strahlenden Sonnenschein. Heute mussten wir beizeiten aufstehen, weil wir um halb 8 Uhr schon mit Tenderbooten an Land gebracht wurden. In Leknes hatten wir eine Inselrundfahrt gebucht. Das Wetter dazu natürlich einfach herrlich. Wir waren total geflasht 🤩🤩..."wenn Engel reisen" meinte unsere Reiseführerin, denn dieses Wetter ist auf den Lofoten nicht selbstverständlich 🤗Read more
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Traveler Wow, einfach nur schön 💪
6/26/23ReplyTranslate
Traveler Haben die auf den Lofoten zufaellig ein Haus zu verkaufen? Ich wuerde da ja sofort hinziehen.
6/26/23ReplyTranslate
Traveler Das gibt es hier schon, lt unserer Reiseleiter, aber leider auch nicht grad günstig und mit dem Wetter hatten wir mega Glück, das ist nämlich eher die Seltenheit😃
6/27/23ReplyTranslate
Traveler Einfach nur wunderschön
6/27/23ReplyTranslate
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Traveler London
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- Apr 5, 2024, 12:29pm
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey St Margaret's Church 51.500794, -0.12670851°30’3” N 0°7’36” W
Day 2
Themse London Eye Spaziergang
April 5 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Wir laufen schön an der Themse entlang und am London Eye. Da wir etwas kaputt sind kehren wir in der All Bar One ein u d essen etwas. Die Kellnerin schmeißt unsere ganzen Getränke um und wir müssen uns umsetzen.Read more
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Traveler England 2022
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- Jul 12, 2022
- ☁️ 29 °C
- Altitude: 12 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey 51.497047, -0.12490951°29’49” N 0°7’30” W
Day 7
London
July 12, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Heute werden wir früh von der Sonne 🌞 geweckt. Diesmal haben wir kein Glück mit dem Schatten und die Sonne wärmt das Zelt schnell auf. Auch das Tarp hilft uns nichts.
Beim Frühstück zieht sich der Himmel langsam zusammen und es bleibt den Tag über bedeckt aber weiterhin sehr warm.
Also lassen wir bei der Hitze den Tag ruhig angehen.

Um halb 2 sitzen wir im Bus Richtung London City. Nach einer knappen Stunde Fahrtzeit steigen wir direkt beim englischen Parlamentsgebäude aus. Direkt daneben befindet sich der Big Ben (Den haben wir uns beide irgendwie größer vorgestellt. Insgesamt kamen uns viele Orte und Sehenswürdigkeiten sehr bekannt vor, schließlich waren die Englischbücher voll damit).
Nach einem Blick aufs London Eye und Westminster Abbey (große Kirche), machen wir uns auf den Weg durch den schönen St. James Park in Richtung Buckingham Palace.
Am Buckingham Palace sehen wir wie erwartet Soldaten stehen, doch leider ohne lustigen Hut und rote Jacke, sondern in schwarz mit normalen Polizeihut👮‍♂️. Warum wissen wir nicht.
Dennoch ist der Palast beeindruckend groß und der dahinter liegende Park hat auch eine beachtliche Größe.

Nach so vielen Sehenswürdigkeiten, brauchen wir erstmal was zu Essen. Wir durchqueren einmal den Hyde Park und finden dort einen leckeren Fish & Chips Imbiss. Mmmh wiedermal sehr lecker.

Von da aus geht es mit dem Bus wieder zum Parlament. Auf dem Weg fahren wir einmal auf der großen Piccadilly Road. Hier gibt es viele teure Läden, große Videoleinwände und viele viele Menschen.
Auf dem Weg zurück zum Bus gehen wir noch an der Downingstreet vorbei, die ganz anders aussieht, als man es aus dem Fernsehn kennt.
Auf dem Platz vor dem Parlament stehen jetzt viele Kameras, Teleprompter und Lichter, irgendwas wird heute anscheined noch passieren und gesagt. Nur was? Das kriegen wir hier nicht so genau mit, so viel Radio hören wir hier gar nicht. (Das Boris Johnson zurück getreten ist, haben wir schon noch über die Nachrichten mitbekommen 😅)

Abends machen wir uns noch englische Tomatensuppe und freuen uns über die langsam hereinbrechende Nacht und die damit verbundene Abkühlung.Read more
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Traveler Hallo Pauline,Hallo Gereon, hello Great Britannien
7/13/22Reply
Traveler Euer Reisebericht ist schon Spitze!!!
7/13/22Reply
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London
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- Dec 31, 2023, 10:26am
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey St Margaret's Church 51.500317, -0.12631451°30’1” N 0°7’35” W
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Day 2
Touri-Touri Tour
December 31, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Wir waren heute als richtige Touris unterwegs. Was macht man da am besten? Natürlich ein Hop-on Hop-off Bustour.

Wir haben zuerst mit der green line den Norden erkundet bis hin zum Kings Cross Bahnhof un St. Pancras, dann Richtung Süden mit der Red line in das Herz von London.

Ran an die Themse, zu den grossen Palästen der Royals. Der Westminter Palace mit seiner gothischen Bauweise und der sandsteinfarben Fassade, der Queen Elizabeth Tower mit der berühmten Uhr „Big Ben“, den Buckingham Palace (aber nur von weitem), die Defenders of Democracy haben wir ebenso gesehen.

Am London Eye vorbei und Richtung Belgravia, dem Reichen-Viertel mit seinen weissen Fassaden.

Wir sind am Hyde Park ausgestiegen, um noch ein wenig zu spazieren. Am Marble Arch sind wir dann noch in die Blue Line eingestiegen, welche uns in das, wie wir finden, hippe „Borough“ Kensington rund um den Hyde Park geführt hat.

Und weil wir noch immer nicht genug hatten, sind wir weiter gefahren, zur berühmten Baker Street, über die Shopping Meile Oxford Street bis hin zum Piccadilly Circus („der Times Square “ von London).

Von dort aus sind wir noch nach Chinatown gelaufen, welches wunderschön geschmückt war.

Irgendwann haben wir es dann zurück zum Hotel geschafft, um kurz darauf wieder aufzubrechen Richtung Brick Lane.
Ein bisschen verlaufen haben wir uns, aber sonst hätten wir ein paar coole Ecken womöglich nicht gesehen.
In der Brick Lane gibt es sehr viele Arabische, Indische und Asiatische Restaurants und auch wir wurden nicht enttäuscht.

Food of the Day: Indisch 🇮🇳(und es war fantastisch)

Ps: Hier findet sich auch sehr viel Street Art und coole Graffitis

PS2: In Hyde Park leben viele kleine dicke Eichhörnchen 🐿️Read more
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Traveler Oh ja...die sind wirklich gut genährt. 🐿
1/1/24ReplyTranslate
Traveler 🥰
1/1/24Reply
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Traveler United Kingdom
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- Aug 21, 2023, 9:30am
- ☁️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- England Greater London Westminster Abbey St Margaret's Church 51.4999, -0.126751°29’60” N 0°7’36” W
Day 16
Unknown Warrior
August 21, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
At the west end of the Nave of Westminster Abbey is the grave of the Unknown Warrior, whose body was brought from France to be buried here on 11th November 1920. The grave, which contains soil from France, is covered by a slab of black Belgian marble from a quarry near Namur.

On 11th November 1921 the present black marble stone was unveiled at a special service. The stone (size 7 feet by 4 feet 3 inches, depth 6 inches) was supplied and lettered by Mr Tomes of Acton and the brass for the inscription supplied by Nash & Hull. Benjamin Colson carried out the brass work. The Padre's Flag was also formerly dedicated at this service.

General Pershing, on behalf of the United States of America, conferred the Congressional Medal of Honor on the Unknown Warrior on 17th October 1921 and this now hangs in a frame on a pillar near the grave. In October 2013 the Congressional Medal of Honor Society presented the Society's official flag to the Unknown Warrior and this is framed below the medal.

The body of the Unknown Warrior may be from any of the three services, Army, Navy or Air Force, and from any part of the British Isles, Dominions or Colonies and represents all those who died who have no other memorial or known grave.

The bell of H.M.S. Verdun in which the Unknown Warrior was brought from Boulogne to Dover on the eve of Armistice Day 1920. Presented by Cdr. J.D.R. Davies, M.B.E., R.N. Remembrance Sunday 1990.

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemo…Read more
Traveler Take the time if you are interested in reading the story about how the Unknown Warrior was selected and buried at Westminster Abbey. Get the tissues ready, the guide told us the story, and I cried. It was absolutely amazing and very moving.
8/21/23Reply
Traveler 😥
8/21/23Reply
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