There was a bit of a kerfuffle as we entered the breakfast room. The man in front of us was insisting his room was booked off on the breakfast sheet. When we were seated a man came and sat next to us and when asked his room number he used the same room number as the man who was insisting that he was ticked off on the list as we were entering. I got the impression that the man (who sat next to us) may have been freeloading… Some of the breakfast items were in short supply, the bread and the mixed berry bowl were almost empty when we arrived and had not been refilled by the time we left. The toast did not arrive again and had to be re-ordered!
After breakfast we headed off to see the poppies in the moat at Tower Bridge. This is an art installation in progress entitled ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’. The first poppy was planted on 4th August and the last poppy will be planted on the 11th November.
marking one hundred years since the first full day of Britain’s involvement in the First World War. Created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies will progressively fill the Tower’s famous moat over the summer. Each poppy represents a British military fatality during the war.
Although not yet complete the artwork is stunning! I hope to return a few days before the last poppy is planted.
After we had enjoyed the moat we headed off for the Royal Observatory. When we arrived we found it was rather chaotic with no clear ticket booking system. The confusion was added to by a temporary Steam-punk art exhibition in among some of the more permanent displays. It also took a while for us to figure out that the people queuing in the middle of the courtyard weren’t queuing to get in, they were queuing to be photographed by an artwork on the prime meridian!
The ticket included entry to a temporary exhibition ‘Ships, Clocks & Stars – The Quest for Longitude’. This exhibition was excellent and being familiar with the history of the quest for longitude it was fascinating to see the instruments and replicas that were involved.
After such a hectic day it was good to be able to put my feet up and relax in the hotel before catching a taxi to Kitchen W8 for our evening meal. When we openened the door to our room (at 5.30pm) we were rather surprised to find the curtains closed, the bedside lights on and a single chocolate on each pillow…
On arrival at Kitchen W8 we were offered an aperitif, perhaps we would like champagne? A perfect option to celebrate the birthday of a gentleman reaching a certain age. The food was delicious, the waiter attentive and always asking before pouring more wine. A perfect end to our stay in London.
I suppose it happens, Cherry…the freeloaders at breakfast. I wonder if they ever catch them?
I’m sure you’ll show us another pic of the poppies when you return. What a meaningful tribute. And how wonderful that your man of a certain age was treated so well during your stay at the hotel! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
If the hotel had a better system I am sure he would have been caught out.
The poppies are fabulous, I took nearly 100 photos of them and the people planting them.
The chocolate was a nice touch
I was fascinated by the TV programme a few years back on ‘The Quest for Longitude’. I hope the display included the huge piece of carpentry that held the device on the fist ship to ‘test’ the system.
And what a fine way to end a hectic day. What a huve, inviting bed. I hope you have sent this post URL to the Hotel. They will be tickled pink. A fitting colour to highlight the blood red poppies.
Huge. !! (sorry)
There was some wooden casing on one of the devices, I am not sure if it was what you saw in the TV program. It is a very good exhibition.
It was a lovely touch from the hotel and a total surprise
Those poppies are astounding! But how do they plant ceramic poppies-just poke them into the ground?
What a lovely weekend!
Can I come next time?
Yes the wires are pushed into the ground. it is quite an amazing sight.
I think Mr C would have something to say about other people joining us
Hello CherryPie , what a chaos at the hotel , doesn’t sound right to me . And Breakfast sounds unbelievable , why were they not up to scratch , says me who works in hospitality and in a Bed and breakfast in Oxford, (help out) , we have a fantastic breakfast.
The poppies are amazing , aren’t they , wonderful way to display. Just wanted to tell you that the lady that does my manicure /pedicure when I have them, has been choosen as a volunteer to place a poppy in September, she is over the moon.
Thank you for sharing, take care Anne
The food was nice it was just the service that was off. They didn’t have a system which is what led to the chaos. All the London hotels I have stayed in have had similar breakfast service. This one was better than most
How wonderful that the lady who does you manicure has been chosen to plant a poppy. I would be honoured if I was chosen to do that
They are quite fabulous and hopefully I will get to see them again in November just before armistice day.
I took rather a lot of photos of them and will be posting more photos in due course
this looks amazing
It is, thank you
Wonderful capture, you have certainly done this justice.
An acquaintance I have shared some photos of this on a social media site but was nothing like your capture, for me it has to include the green as you have done.
I am glad you like them. I will be sharing some more but I will try not to bombard my blog with too many…
I have never been to the Tower, and I think I should go before I get sent…
Never been to the observatory either
Nor into the Houses of Parliament
I feel a trip to London beckoning, perhaps
Have been to some places – Post office tower, Thames boat trip, up the London Eye, Hyde Park, Science and Natural History museums, MacDonalds in Oxford Street… I thought I’d seen it all
I recommend visiting the tower. Interesting history and of course the crown jewels. Be sure to visit those early in the day before the queue! There are some good views to be seen from the walls too.
The Royal Observatory was a bit chaotic, a bit of research beforehand will ensure you get the best out of it. Some bits are free to wander and some bits you have to pay to get in. The observatory buildings and meridian courtyard require a fee to get in but there is no cafe inside. There are plenty of cafes round and about though so timing is everything
I have been in the Houses of Parliament and that is like stepping into an alternative reality!!
I also recommend The British Museum and the V&A. With both of those you need to choose the sections that interest you the most because there is so much to see…
It is not possible to see all of London
From space it is
LOL well yes but we might miss the finer details from space
He he… Greenwich Park is just 1 min from my home!
Did you see any Book benches there?
A very nice place to live
It was so hectic there I forgot to look for the benches.
I have enjoyed following along with your trip….and those poppies are just breathtaking…unbelievable as they cascade like that.
They are quite breathtaking and inspiring