Days 3-6 London Included sightseeing takes in all the major landmarks and fun spots. Two evenings, choice theater tickets are reserved for a pair of hit shows. Any evening, you’re a welcome guest at three private clubs. The rest of the time, it’s up to you. Trips to the country, an evening pub crawl, shopping, dining out and nightclubs are just a few suggestions.
The next morning we were up early for a 7:30 Breakfast and then we began a very full day –
First we went to “Old Bailey” where we got into the visitors gallery in Court Room number One (High Court of Justice), We saw a murder trial in progress. A “red judge” (because of scarlet robe) was presiding – The barristers all had black robes even the female wore a wig – When the judge failed to follow the barrister in his plea & questioned him the barrister replied “I put it poorly, My Lord” – Our two attorneys got a real kick out of this – when an officer discovered Jim & Earl were attorneys he took us down stairs for a better look around in the Guild Hall – which is London’s Town Hall – This was a real treat and great experience for all of us – Such a friendly reception The statue of “The Lady of Justice” that tops the dome of the Central Criminal Court is a real work of art – She is known at “Old Bailey” as simply “The Lady” – She is not blindfolded – From here we went to St. Paul’s Cathedral – There we saw the tombs of Lord Nelson as well as Sir Christopher Wren, the Duke of Wellington – We made the trip up into the dome to hear the Whispering Wall & viewed the Stone Galleries. St. Paul is the patron saint of London & there has been such a cathederal since 605 A.D. It is the largest cathedral in England & is the resident church of the Dean of the Church of England –
We had lunch at “Ye Olde Cheshyre [Cheshire] Cheese” Pub – it is on Fleet Street & was once the haunt of Johnson & Boswell. In 1667 it was rebuilt & is just as typical as a Pub could be – It was a wonderful lunch – Scotch Roast Beef Yorkshire Pudding & Horse Radish sauce – A crowded, loud & friendly place – Sawdust on the floor
The sun had come out & it was bright & warmer so we paused for a visit of Home of Samuel Johnson – famous for his hatred of hypocrisy – was one of England’s most brilliant conversationalists of the time & was made famous by his biography written by James Boswell – He loved to eat, drink & talk!
Then off to visit the Old Curiousity Shop that was immortalized by Charles Dickens as the home of Little Nell –
From here a trip to London’s famous Silver Vaults – Lots of looking but little buying – Malissa did get a piece of Wedgewood –
Back to the Hotel for a quick bath & change of clothes – Had a drink at the “Pub” to celebrate Earl’s birthday – Then off to the Swiss Air Building for dinner & then to the theatre to see “Girl in my Soup” with Charles Tingwell and Karen Kessey – The Theatre was the Comedy Theatre & it is just off Piccadilly Circus After the Theatre we took a walk to see the Public Buildings on their “Light-up Night” beautiful – But before long we decided we’d had a full day & couldn’t take in another thing so it was back on the subway to our Hotel Epilogue: In 1972, on a return trip to London, Dad took me back to Old Bailey to learn the outcome of the murder trial. I hadn’t been able to get the girl accused of stabbing her boyfriend out of my mind. As I was transcribing this entry, I realized I didn’t remember what we found out – only that we visited a very out-of-the-way records room armed with the date of the trial and the name of the defendant. Sounds just like what I like to do now. But then I thought to consult Mom’s 1972 journal. I knew I could count on you, Mom! We learned that the defendant had been acquitted – and we were all glad.————————————————-
Volume labeled “The Pennsylvania Lawyer’s Diary 1971”, used as travel journal by Elizabeth W. Ruffner, for a trip taken in March-April 1971; held by Malissa Ruffner, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Baltimore, MD; 2011.
For background information on this series of posts, see Spring Break, 1971.
Family Epic 