The Shard: My Birthday Treat!

OK, not strictly about Hastings, but my brother completely surprised me with this treat, where I thought he was just seeking information when we met up for lunch at Borough Market, by London Bridge. He said that whilst nearby he wanted to see John Keats blue plaque (Keats Locations), but months ago (cheaper apparently) he'd booked for us to go up to the top of The Shard (website). Above was my first view from way up, and HMS Belfast (website).

After catching the 2 lifts up to the first view, we walked up a couple of flights of stairs to the highest point for visitors, and the view, among others, of Tower Bridge and looking out towards the Thames Estuary. Indeed, this blog is not about Hastings, but simple enough to visit from Hastings, usually with 2 trains an hour going to London Bridge from Hastings railway station, and I'd suggest well worth the visit for the views, even if only once, we avoided the bars!

Thoughts with London now...

Southwark Cathedral

My thoughts go out to those who died last night, on London Bridge to the east of Southwark Cathedral and in Borough Market to the south of the Cathedral, and to those who were injured, and their families and friends, and our gratitude goes to the Emergency Services, whose numbers and wages keep getting cut, yet they keep on keeping on...

Sad days keep coming 😢

A bit of a moan...

Me moan?!? Well, just a bit... 

I got to the public conveniences at the Azur Pavilion about 2.40pm, on my way back from a round walking trip to Bexhill (research purposes, and some interesting stuff to come from Steve the Beermeister very very soon, ie Part whatever of the Oldest Pub in Hastings Saga), and, though during 'winter time' it is meant to be open until 5pm, they weren't! A bit much as I regularly praise the public toilets in Hastings, sad person that I am. 

More austerity cuts? Not very convenient... 

I hear you groan at my joke! 

Oh yes, and I notice that even ministers are now moaning about the Rail service and the London Bridge (lack of) 'service', not very original, they should have read my blog/rant of 29th November, shame on them! 

Anyway, more to come very soon, as I said above, of the latest installment of the oldest pub in Hastings saga, sorry, but a bit tired now, but I promise, very soon...