England 2017:Altitude

Altitude



I usually begin planning these journeys months before I actually go. I had dreamt of seeing the white cliffs of Dover and taking a day trip by train to see them. But then I remembered that there was somewhere else. Due to time and expense, I had to choose between two different experiences for that day. I needed Emma's help to make the decision. Per her request, we rode a different train that afternoon to side of London I had not yet been but had known of.

   We had already been on a nature walk through an oasis within the city, now we will visit another oasis more majestic. Where I will feel the wind blow on a terrace as I view my lovely city. Somewhere where I would be surrounded by lush tree ferns and fig trees as the sun stared back and glowed against them through the windows of a giant atrium. I had already seen the white cliffs of Dover from the plane when we flew over them. And since you can't see them anyway when you are standing on them, I was fine with that.

  They say that some folks are beach people while others prefer the mountains. Though I like both, London is a little bit of everything in between. From my view I could see everything from Tudor style architecture and ornate cathedrals to 21st century high rise office buildings on the next block. I looked down at my city where people were boarding trains traveling for work or pleasure, some were taking riverboat rides or walking down the many cobblestone streets shooting photographs at monuments, palaces and street vendors. There's a little something for everyone here and every visit for me has been distinct in it's own way. Though there are so many other places I want to visit, this view reminded me why there are many reason I just keep coming back here. 

   Our lunch would be an elegant fine dining experience.
(Which is why we did not see Dover as our budget would not allow us to do both). The door was opened for us as though we were expected. Our napkins were placed in our laps by the server as we were seated. The menu featured items such Anjou pigeon, heritage beetroots, golden raisins and pomegranateas and for dessert, white peach, honey parfait, mascarpone and rosemary all prepared by the worlds finest Italian chefs.

   My lunch included Cannelloni of morel mushrooms, smoked beef consommé and broad beans with sparkling water. Though I was hungry, my days of heavy travel had reduced my appetite somewhat. The portion size was just right. The Cannelloni was very tender with a smokey  flavor. It was artfully garnished with fresh radishes and edemame. It was very colorful and I was fulfilled.










 Place visited: 35 stories above the ground at the top of a building shaped like a walkie -talkie, three stories of beautiful landscaping of many varieties of picturesque florals and foliage create
Sky Garden, London UK

Eats: Fenchurch Restaurant
Date visited: June 15th, 2017



      We also visited a few of the places we saw from our amazing view from the ground level.

Tower Bridge is one of the most well known icons visible in London's skyline. The two Gothic style towers operate a draw bridge to channel traffic in and out of port facilities in the Pool of London.

The Shard is the tallest building in the UK at 95 stories and construction was completed  just in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The Tower of London is located
along the north bank of the Thames river. It is a historical landmark built in 1078 and was used mostly as a prison through the centuries.

Pigeons. Do not feed or things will go terribly wrong making the citizens of Britain very unhappy. Better to not learn that lesson the hard way!