London, August 2013

Saturday, 17th August 2013

Tony and Giselle outside the central gates to Buckingham Palace. This pair of large wrought iron gates each bears the royal coat of arms. They date from 1911.Tony and Giselle outside the central gates to Buckingham Palace. This pair of large wrought iron gates each bears the royal coat of arms. They date from 1911.

Giselle is from Australia but now lives in New Zealand. Tony met her at Canadiana Backpackers Inn, a hostel in downtown Toronto, Canada in September 2004.

The front of Buckingham Palace. Across the courtyard a ceremonial guard is standing in front of a sentry box. He is wearing the distinctive Queen’s Guard uniform including red tunic and bearskin hat.The front of Buckingham Palace. Across the courtyard a ceremonial guard is standing in front of a sentry box. He is wearing the distinctive Queen’s Guard uniform including red tunic and bearskin hat.

View across formal flower beds in front of Buckingham Palace to the Victoria Memorial.View across formal flower beds in front of Buckingham Palace to the Victoria Memorial. This memorial to Queen Victoria was designed by Sir Thomas Brock and dedicated in 1911 by King George V. It is 25 metres (82 feet) high and is made of white marble with bronze figures at the top.

The front façade of Buckingham Palace in the middle distance. Officially known as the East Front, it was completed by Edward Blore in 1850. It was later remodelled in 1913 by Sir Aston Webb.The front façade of Buckingham Palace in the middle distance. Officially known as the East Front, it was completed by Edward Blore in 1850. It was later remodelled in 1913 by Sir Aston Webb.

By the lake in St James's Park. A pair of ducks on the footpath.By the lake in St James’s Park. A pair of ducks on the footpath.

View of St James's Park Lake. Ducks and geese on the water. A wooded island in the centre of the lake.View of St James’s Park Lake. Ducks and geese on the water. A wooded island in the centre of the lake.

Tony by railings at the side of the lake. A footbridge (known as the Blue Bridge) over the lake behind.Tony by railings at the side of the lake. A footbridge (known as the Blue Bridge) over the lake behind.

Tony and Giselle by St James's Park Lake.Tony and Giselle by St James’s Park Lake.

Looking across Horse Guards Parade, which is located between St James's Park and Whitehall. This large parade ground is the site of official ceremonies, including Trooping the Colour, which commemorates the monarch's official birthday.Looking across Horse Guards Parade, which is located between St James’s Park and Whitehall. This large parade ground is the site of official ceremonies, including Trooping the Colour, which commemorates the monarch’s official birthday.

Another view of Horse Guards Parade. For much of the late 20th century, it was used as a car park for senior civil servants, but since the late 90s it has functioned as a public open space.Another view of Horse Guards Parade. For much of the late 20th century, it was used as a car park for senior civil servants, but since the late 90s it has functioned as a public open space.

The central part of the Horse Guards building located at the back (east) side of Horse Guards Parade. It was built in Palladian style between 1751 and 1753 by John Vardy to a design by William Kent. It was formerly the headquarters of the British Army.The central part of the Horse Guards building located at the back (east) side of Horse Guards Parade. It was built in Palladian style between 1751 and 1753 by John Vardy to a design by William Kent. It was formerly the headquarters of the British Army.

The Old Admiralty on the north side of Horse Guards Parade. This large building is constructed in white stone and red brick and dates from the late 19th century.The Old Admiralty on the north side of Horse Guards Parade. This large building is constructed in white stone and red brick and dates from the late 19th century. It has been used by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since the 1960s, but it is planned that the Department for Education will move here in September 2017.

Giselle and Tony standing either side of a ceremonial guard looking out on to Horse Guards Parade. The guard is wearing a red tunic and a metal helmet with a white plume. He is holding a sword.Giselle and Tony standing either side of a ceremonial guard looking out on to Horse Guards Parade. The guard is wearing a red tunic and a metal helmet with a white plume. He is holding a sword.

Another ceremonial guard on horseback at the front of Horse Guards.Another ceremonial guard on horseback at the front of Horse Guards.

The front of Horse Guards looking towards the central archway. A Changing the Guard ceremony takes place here daily. The building is home to the Household Cavalry Museum. The front of Horse Guards looking towards the central archway. A Changing the Guard ceremony takes place here daily. The building is home to the Household Cavalry Museum.

A Changing the Guard ceremony taking place. There is a ceremonial guard on horseback saluting and another standing to attention in front. A crowd of people watching.A Changing the Guard ceremony taking place. There is a ceremonial guard on horseback saluting and another standing to attention in front. A crowd of people watching.

Looking from Horse Guards across Whitehall to Horse Guards Avenue. In the centre of the road there is a statue of politician and statesman Spencer Compton, 8th Duke of Devonshire (23 July 1833 to 24 March 1908).Looking from Horse Guards across Whitehall to Horse Guards Avenue. In the centre of the road there is a statue of politician and statesman Spencer Compton, 8th Duke of Devonshire (23 July 1833 to 24 March 1908).

Government buildings along Whitehall, including the Old War Office on the right side.Government buildings along Whitehall, including the Old War Office on the right side.

The gates into Downing Street from Whitehall.The gates into Downing Street from Whitehall.

Two policemen guarding the Downing Street gates. A small part of the Prime Minister's residence, 10 Downing Street, can just be seen at the far end of the street.Two policemen guarding the Downing Street gates. A small part of the Prime Minister’s residence, 10 Downing Street, can just be seen at the far end of the street.

Looking down King Charles Street from Whitehall. There is an imposing stone triple archway over the street, which incorporates various carved figures in a frieze at the top. Located one block south of Downing Street, the main Foreign Office building is down here.Looking down King Charles Street from Whitehall. There is an imposing stone triple archway over the street, which incorporates various carved figures in a frieze at the top. Located one block south of Downing Street, the main Foreign Office building is down here.

Tony in front of a bronze statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square. The statue was unveiled in 1973. It is 3.7 metres (12 feet) high and stands on a 2.4 metres (8 feet) high stone plinth.Tony in front of a bronze statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square. The statue was unveiled in 1973. It is 3.7 metres (12 feet) high and stands on a 2.4 metres (8 feet) high stone plinth.

People walking and sitting on the grass in Parliament Square. The Palace of Westminster in the background with a good view of Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower).People walking and sitting on the grass in Parliament Square. The Palace of Westminster in the background with a good view of Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower).

A statue of Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square. This bronze sculpture of the former South African president and anti-apartheid leader was unveiled in August 2007. It is 2.7 metres (9 feet) high.A statue of Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square. This bronze sculpture of the former South African president and anti-apartheid leader was unveiled in August 2007. It is 2.7 metres (9 feet) high.

Outside the North Entrance to Westminster Abbey. Construction of the abbey began in the 12th century on the site on an older church. This is the traditional place of coronation and burial for British monarchs.Outside the North Entrance to Westminster Abbey. Construction of the abbey began in the 12th century on the site on an older church. This is the traditional place of coronation and burial for British monarchs.

A closer view of the abbey's north façade. It is Gothic in style with massive flying buttresses, spires and a distinctive large round (rose) stained glass window in the centre top.A closer view of the abbey’s north façade. It is Gothic in style with massive flying buttresses, spires and a distinctive large round (rose) stained glass window in the centre top.

At the side of St Margaret's Church in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. This is the parish church of the House of Commons. It is dedicated to Margaret of Antioch.At the side of St Margaret’s Church in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. This is the parish church of the House of Commons. It is dedicated to Margaret of Antioch.

Looking up towards the twin towers at the west end of Westminster Abbey. These towers were built between 1722 and 1745 by Nicholas Hawksmoor. They are 68.5 metres (225 feet) in height.Looking up towards the twin towers at the west end of Westminster Abbey. These towers were built between 1722 and 1745 by Nicholas Hawksmoor. They are 68.5 metres (225 feet) in height.

Tony in front of railings at the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey. There are a row of statues of 20th-century martyrs in alcoves above the door.Tony in front of railings at the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey. There are a row of statues of 20th-century martyrs in alcoves above the door.

Giselle and Tony in front of the Great West Door.Giselle and Tony in front of the Great West Door.

Tony and Giselle at the Great North Door of Westminster Abbey.Tony and Giselle at the Great North Door of Westminster Abbey.

Flying buttresses topped with turrets along the south-west wall of Westminster Abbey.Flying buttresses topped with turrets along the south-west wall of Westminster Abbey.

The Palace of Westminster looking towards Victoria Tower in the south-west corner. The tower is 98.5 metres (323 feet) in height.The Palace of Westminster looking towards Victoria Tower in the south-west corner. The tower is 98.5 metres (323 feet) in height.

The west side of the Palace of Westminster (commonly known as the Houses of Parliament).The west side of the Palace of Westminster (commonly known as the Houses of Parliament). Rebuilt in perpendicular gothic between 1840 and 1870 following a massive fire in 1834. The first royal palace was built on this site in the eleventh century. This was destroyed by an earlier fire in 1512. After that, it served as the home of Parliament, which had been meeting here since the thirteenth century.

Another view of Victoria Tower from Victoria Tower Gardens.Another view of Victoria Tower from Victoria Tower Gardens.

View along the River Thames from the north bank towards Westminster Bridge and the London Eye Ferris wheel.View along the River Thames from the north bank towards Westminster Bridge and the London Eye Ferris wheel.

Looking the other way along the river towards Lambeth Bridge.Looking the other way along the river towards Lambeth Bridge.

The Palace of Westminster from the south bank of the Thames. Barges and other boats on the river.The Palace of Westminster from the south bank of the Thames. Barges and other boats on the river.

People sitting and walking along the path of the south bank of the Thames. People sitting and walking along the path of the south bank of the Thames.

Tony sitting by the River Thames holding his book 'Seeing the World My Way'. The Palace of Westminster in the background.Tony sitting by the River Thames holding his book ‘Seeing the World My Way’. The Palace of Westminster in the background.

Tony standing in Brick Lane in East London. He is outside Jamme Masjid mosque. Built in 1743 as a Protestant chapel. It was converted into a mosque in 1974. It was also a synagogue in the 19th century!Tony standing in Brick Lane in East London. He is outside Jamme Masjid mosque. Built in 1743 as a Protestant chapel. It was converted into a mosque in 1974. It was also a synagogue in the 19th century!

Again Tony outside Jamme Masjid on Brick Lane. Brick Lane is the centre of London's Bangladeshi community and is famous for its many curry houses.Again Tony outside Jamme Masjid on Brick Lane. Brick Lane is the centre of London’s Bangladeshi community and is famous for its many curry houses.