MONDAY 26 FEB 2024
Took two trains to the city alighting at TBA station.
Walked a bit just to see and feel with an eye to finding a coffee but not too focused. Purchased and called Phoebe to say "Hi". Found myself sitting in-front of a tower while chatting. Took the obligatory tourist snap and paid £6 entry and walked up the spiral staircase. Turns out it's a monument to the great fire of London. In its day, I guess it would have towered above most of the buildings in London. As is, it still provides great views.
Observed Tower Bridge and walked in the direction. Admired the steelwork. Seemed like a decent queue to get in so just walked across. Then down Queens walk. Back across the river and past St Pauls. Decided to come back after lunch.
Over the millennium bridge. This is the one where they buggered up the design. On the way in observed roped off art. Maybe the Site is jinksed. I was curious as to what was done to dampen the resonance. Observed a whole lot of IBCs at the city end. Some kind of dampening perhaps. Had a look at the far side but no observable additions. Back over and met Marcus at his work.
Went to a long time old famous sandwich bar whereupon I observed hot potatoes for sale so figured, given the freezing wind, that trumped a sandwich. Marcus and I sat in one of the gardens attached to the lawyers chambers precinct.
After lunch, walked to St Pauls. Entrance £25. Multiple tour options including:
Self guided audio,
Normal tour.
Express 20 minute highlights.
No tour - just wander randomly.
I took the express option.
It's a big place. Built after the great fire of London as the previous Cathedral burned.
Wandered down to crypt.
Saw Nelson's toomb.
Bought a coffee and chocolate muffin.
Now onto the roof
Q
If there was a pause in the Ukraine war would that result in a pause in the supply of weapons from the west.
If that is a likely outcome, does that mean that Ukraine would not
CHATHAM HOUSE
Went to a public lecture / discussion panel on the outcome options for the Ukraine war.
One point that was suggested was a "pause". A pause was like a stalemate and one reason promoted was to give give space to negotiate a treaty or cease fire. A pause could also end up like the stalemate on the Korean peninsula.
BUT
They did not discuss what I thought was a logical possibility and that would be that if Ukraine stops fighting and pauses, then the West might pause sending weapons but in the meantime the Russians would arm up and when ready, arc up and push the Ukrainians back.
ST PAULS
After WW2, the Americans wanted a memorial to the 17000 Americans who died fighting to same Brittan. The Brits decided to build this at their own expense.
It includes this 400 page list of the names of the US soldiers who died. Each day the page is turned.
As I climbed I kept thinking. 1600's iron is no where near as strong as 2024 steel and I am scared stiff that it's all going to collapse.
An interesting contrast to when I was downstairs. Even though I knew there were hundreds of tones of steel and iron above me, no thoughts that it would collapse on me.
It was dam scary up the top. The wind blew and those thoughts of old iron and weathered stone giving way pervaded.
