We set out this morning to check out some of the Open House London events. This annual event invites people to explore buildings that they might not otherwise see. We were on the hunt for St. Mary-le-Bow church. It is featured in the book I am currently reading. We walked around Buckingham Palace and on toward the parliament buildings. We walked (the wrong way) along the banks of the Thames before getting reoriented toward the west-end. Before we turned around however, we were struck by the memorial hearts painted on the wall beside the riverwalk. Each heart paid tribute to someone who died of COVID. It was a long wall.

The crowds were intense in Hyde Park as there was a day of kids running races around the park and things were getting set up for a nighttime marathon race. It was also a beautiful day for strolling.

We experienced a smattering of rain as we sat down for lunch but otherwise the weather was perfect. We walked by the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral and finally stopped at St. Bride’s (aka St Bridgette) Church. It had been destroyed during the Fire of London in 1666, rebuilt and then destroyed again during a WWII bombing. It was rebuilt, but in the process they found remnants of buildings from Roman times to present. The display in the crypt showed remnants of all 2000 years of buildings on the site. We finally made it to our original goal only to find the church closed. We peaked inside anyway and went back to a nearby pub to quench our thirst. The pub was historic as well, having survived the fire and the war. The beer was good too.

We took the tube back to our suite and appreciated efficient public transport. No need to buy tickets. You tap your credit or debit card as you get on and off the train. Easy-peasy! Now to figure out where tomorrow’s expedition will take us…