St Paul's Cathedral

Friday 10 August was my second (and this time successful!) attempt to visit St Paul's Cathedral in the city. There was quite the queue to get in, and I was blessed with a pair of Whinging Poms (a local specialty) right behind me. We'd been waiting approximately 3 minutes before they both declared they'd been waiting far too long, that this was utterly ridiculous, and they simply "don't do queues". No sign of them leaving despite their claims though. Then followed the moaning about the cost...and declaration they weren't going to pay that - the sign couldn't possibly be right! And yet, they remained in the queue. I was sorely tempted to turn around and make a snide remark or two...but I was in God's house, and wanted to avoid being struck by lightning and being buried in the crypt before getting a chance to see the rest of the Cathedral.

I donned my audio guide and opened my map, and off I went on my spectacular 3.5 hour (one must get one's money's worth after all) journey to the giddy heights and the plunging depths of this magnificent piece of architecture.

The current Cathedral – the fourth to occupy this site – was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1675 and 1710 after its predecessor was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Important services have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill; the wedding of Charles and Diana and services for the Golden Jubilee and 80th Birthday of the Queen.

I walked up the 163 steps (or 259 if you believe the website) from the Cathedral floor to the Whispering Gallery, where the dome is constructed so that a whisper along the wall on one side is audible on the other. However, with about 60 people trying to do the same thing, I was a little doubtful of its effectiveness.

Another 119 steps up was the Stone Gallery, and then another 152 steps further was the Golden Gallery, which runs around the highest point of the outer dome, 85 metres and 530 steps from ground-level. The Golden Gallery gives panoramic views across London, and photos are available on my online gallery. So I either walked up 434 or 530 (depending on which source is correct) narrow spiral steps up to the top, and then all the way back to the bottom...quite the work out with 2 heavy bags...and then continued, wobbly-legged, down into the Crypt.

Some people of note located in the Crypt are: Lord Nelson, Duke of Wellington, Sir Christopher Wren, Sir Alexander Fleming (Mr Pencillin), Sir Henry Wellcome (whose collection I saw a few weeks ago), Florence Nightingale and William Blake.

Down in the Crypt was the Crypt Cafe...interesting name, and quite frankly an interesting location for such an establishment wouldn't you agree? Didn't really take the time to peruse the menu (seeing as I had come prepared with my homemade sandwiches and refreshments) but I believe they were serving Cadaver Chips, Flaky Blake Pie, Crispy Skins, and a selection of matured organ pates, to name but a few, sourced from local ingredients...