Inspired while watching the 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony...
a tiny sampling of photos I took on my last visit to London
during a 4-day trip to England to shoot a wedding in High Wycombe
mostly scanned negatives except where noted
seven years ago on Sunday, July 10th 2005 in London, England...
taken just 4 days after London won the bid on Wednesday, July 6th 2005
(the tragic London bombings happened the following day on Thursday, July 7th 2005)
obligatory British Foot Guard photo
love those red telephone booths
much needed signage for non-British folk
where Olympic rings are currently displayed
in 2005, Veterans Awareness Week in the UK concludes with the 60th anniversary of the end of the World War II, and it happens to be on Sunday, July 10th 2005…
flags decorate Trafalgar Square
flags decorate Trafalgar Square
Walking from Trafalgar Square, I find out about the celebration and parade by mere happenstance as I encountered police at the Admiralty Arch. As I walked down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh drive by less than 20 minutes later…what a treat!! (digital)
The Royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in front of an estimated 250,000 people that crammed into The Mall
Her Majesty the Queen, with members of the Royal family, appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, just as she did when the war ended in 1945. (digital)
my seat -- away from the crowds, next to the media (digital)
The celebration concluded with a flypast by World War II aircraft, with one million poppies dropped on The Mall by the Royal Air Force's last remaining Lancaster bomber. (screenshot of video I took)
collecting poppies
British folks dressed for the occasion
To be released on Saturday, July 16th 2005:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Londoners enjoying a late Sunday afternoon picnic outside of the Tower of London
I marked some notable sights to see for my short excursion to London
(less than 20 hours spent in the city over 2 days)
Having missed the last train back to High Wycombe due to the sun setting at 9:16 PM and civil twilight ending at 10:01 PM, throwing off any inclination to look at my watch before then, I walk around London at night before spending $$$$ on taxi fare.
(if you haven't read Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, you should add it to your list…)
Good luck to all the 2012 Olympic athletes!
Go Team USA!
(During these Olympics, look out for posts that include photos
that I've taken in other countries.)
