London
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The 'Tate' is London's Modern Art Museum.
Most enjoyable was a huge entry ramp filled
with mist. There was a dominating representation of the
sun at the far end. The huge hall has a mirrored ceiling
which, all combined, made for a very
interesting effect. I do have to admit that modern art is
largely lost on me. I did wander through all five
floors. But, honestly, it was more to tell you that I
had done it than to enjoy the exhibits.
Next
door to the Tate is the reproduced Shakespeare Globe Theater.
The theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the 1599 open-air
playhouse where Shakespeare wrote many of his greatest plays.
It's a circular, open-roofed building (because productions
were performed during the day to take advantage of he natural
light.)
They could fit (and still do today for the modern day productions) 1700 people in the triple tier seating area and the center SRO. Since the day was gray, overcast and misty there were not many tourists, so my little guided tour group was only three -- it was like a private tour.
Not
far up the Thames is Tower
Bridge, which was completed in 1894, after 8 years of
construction. When it was built, Tower Bridge was the largest
and most sophisticated bascule bridge ever built ("bascule"
comes from the French for "see-saw"). The big problem for the
Corporation of London was how to build a bridge downstream
from London Bridge without disrupting river traffic activities
since this area was the major port area for the city.
Hence, the need for the "see-saw" spans to accommodate the
heavy river traffic.
It was a hydraulically operated bridge,
using steam to power the enormous pumping engines, which drove the bascules up and down. Despite the complexity
of the system, the bascules only take about a minute to raise
to their maximum 86 degrees.
Nowadays, the bascules are still operated
by hydraulic power, but since 1976 they have been driven by
oil and electricity rather than steam. The original pumping
engines, accumulators and boilers are on show as part of The
Tower Bridge Exhibition.
The high-level walkways, which were designed so that the public could still cross the bridge when it was raised, were closed down in 1910 due to lack of use. Most people preferred to wait at the bottom and watch the bascules rise up!
Not
far up the river is Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
I was delighted to learn that both houses were in session.
And, again owing to the weather, there was no line. I got
right in to see the oldest active democratic institution in
the world in action. Delightful!
The
House of Lords was debating a rather boring (for me and,
judging from the attendance and their reaction, for them too)
Levy for Industrial Training. Commons however, was going
over a budget item and was more lively. They even
provided me with the lovely Opposition catcalls and biting
comments interrupting the Government speaker.
After all this I was worn out. Subway back to the hotel (for quickness) and an early bed.
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