National Gallery ~ 17 June 2002

Today we dedicated time to the National Gallery. Once again we were over whelmed. As soon as we walked in, Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' was the first painting that greeted us. As expected it was absolutely beautiful. Photographs and postcards can't do this image justice. The color, texture and depth is just beautiful.

Carrying on we saw Gainsborough, Turner, Constable, Goya, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas. By the end of this visual feast we realised we weren't going to be mentally capable to take in the whole gallery.

We decided to cut straight to the Sainsbury Wing which included masters such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Uccello, Van Eyck, Botticelli, Raphael, Giotto and Durer. Ian's highlight was Leonardo's "The virgin of the rocks". He tried to explain how it made him feel, but he felt a bit speechless - I know I'm going to experience the same feelings when I see my first Rossetti.

We are going to come back to see the rest of the masterpieces another day. It was incredible that there was no entry fee to the gallery.

London sites ~ 16 June 2002

Today just blew us away! I didn't realise how close the major sights were together. The old and ancient architecture is stunning. Our first stop was Buckingham Palace. The flag was flying so I presume the Queen was home. The gates outside were just beautiful.

Piccadilly Circus was so much smaller than I imagined. Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery looking over the large lion statues and fountains is just so iconic. We then walked past Downing Street guarded by large gates and police wearing bullet proof jackets.

Around the corner Big Ben stuck us, absolutely fantastic. The Houses of Parliament are just amazing. Gothic style architecture looming over the Thames River was just so beautiful. And just as you thought you couldn't be amazed anymore we saw Westminster Abbey. We couldn't go inside being Sunday, but the outside just amazed us both.

Tomorrow we plan to visit the National Gallery and Westminster Abbey.

Jumping back onto the tube Antony then took us to the famous "Abbey Road". Both being avid Beatles fans it was a 'must do' on our things to see list. It looked just like the album cover and of course we had to do the photo. Outside Abbey Road Studios fans had written inscriptions all over the white concrete fence. I suppose every now and then they paint over the graffiti so all the fans can start all over again.

I think we have sorted our jet lag out now except we want to go to bed early which means we wake up early. Tomorrow we need to do grown up things and organise our bank accounts and find some work. I think I could play the tourist much much longer, but we had better get into reality as soon as possible. I'm quite anxious to ring Mum and Dad soon, just to let them know that everything is fine.