Took the tube to Westminster on our way to the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum. It is always a thrill to come up the stairs at this station and be faced with Big Ben (although he is clad in scaffolding). We saw more of the neighbourhood than planned but don't mind taking wrong turns - you never know what you'll find and it is always fun to ask directions. At one point, Bill walked up to a burly police officer and asked the way. He later admitted he just wanted to talk to him! We also had a nice chat with a lady and her dog Gladys who helped a few blocks later. This was across the street from John Guildgud's home. Needless to say, we were in a tony neighbourhood.
Finally found the museum and spent a few hours in the warren of rooms used for the war cabinet throughout WWII. It was under a government office building and a well-directed bomb could have destroyed it. And when you know that 436,000 private homes were destroyed in the war, it wasn't impossible. More examples of the dedication and sacrifice of men and women during the war.
We came out to cool weather but no rain and enjoyed a walk through St James Park coming out at Buckingham Palace. Last visit we weren't able to get as close - a garden party and our invitation must have been in the mail. Better this time. The Queen is here but we only saw the curtains move a bit.
Tonight we are going for dinner at the Mala for an Indian Curry. It is located at the foot of The Tower. We'll be on our best behaviour.
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| Westminster Palace - parliament currently in session. Wouldn't want to be in Theresa May's shoes these days... |
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| The Cabinet Room - steel reinforcement holds up 1-3 meters of cement added partway through the war. |
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| A posh bedroom for Churchill's Aide de Camp. The carpet and better bed reflected his status . Staff stayed down for weeks and worked 12 hour shifts. Sun lamps were used to provide Vitamin D. |
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| Looking at Palace from The Mall. |
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