585 Stair Steps….

The accomplishment of the day was a climb to the top of St. Paul’s Cathedral. We weren’t expecting to do this, but it just happened. The day started out leisurely enough – a bit of shopping, takeout from Ottolenghi, cappuccino and a croissant – and then a short ride on the Underground.

Paul was at school, the V’s headed up to Sky Garden to see the panorama of London, and we headed to St. Paul’s Cathedral and spent at least 2 hours bathed in the majesty that is Christopher Wren. Windsor Castle was opulent, but St. Paul’s is otherworldly.

There is no way to capture it with photos. Huge, intricate, so well designed, and so much history! We listened to the architectural tour, the art tour, and the history tour. The story is amazing, and I will surely begin reading more about Wren when I return. He was a true master, and designed no less than 53 churches in London along with other notable buildings.

As I was gazing up to the top of the dome, I saw movement…people could go up there and see the mosaics directly? So I found the stairwell, and up we went — to the dome and then further to the outdoor parapet. 375 steps up (and down). The views were amazing, and the thought that I could (and did) do it, was even better.

Off to the Mithraeum, the site of a Roman underground temple in the middle of what is now The City of London, which was known as Londinium 2500 years ago. The drawing in the middle shows you a depiction of what ancient Londinium looked like. Fascinating stuff.

Then off to see some of our own history, the Fidelity International Investor Center. Had a great chat with a couple of representatives.

Then on to the Tower of London. As we were steeped in London’s history all morning, we decided to go full bore and see the fortress of the Kings. Much to our dismay, there were 210 steps up into the tower.

Up we went to see the home of the Norman, Plantagenet and Tudor Kings, so well displayed and with such knowledgeable guides. We learned more about 14th century battles than we knew existed.

And as night fell, we saw the Tower Bridge all lit up!

The V’s spent the morning traipsing over the bridge, under the bridge and around the bridge! They hit the markets nearby, went to an F1 arcade and met us for a light show at the tower along with a tour of the Royal Jewels.

We were all pooped! We were hoping to settle in to a pub and inhale some much deserved calories, but we couldn’t find anything suitable, so we dragged our tired behinds home and found sustenance in the ‘hood. Paul crashed, the V’s ordered in Indian, and we had fish and chips.

As we strolled home under the Christmas lights and the ginkgo trees we all felt that London has become familiar and homey. Our neighborhood feels like Boston in so many ways.

I leave you with this beautiful ginko tree.

22,000 steps today and 585 stairs climbed.