And In The End, Her Majesty Is A Pretty Nice Girl

September 11, 2022

Majestic Shard

Since my flight would depart from London, I thought I'd spend a couple of days and perhaps see a few places I haven't been on previous visits. But current events as they are, some proved difficult. It seemed like the population of London ballooned with well wishers paying respects to the Queen at Buckingham Palace. I don't have that data to compare, after all it had been 20 years since I was here last. But I think there were more travelers than before and the traffic was heavy. Note to self: Don't attempt to drive in London ever again, even on the outskirts. 

The End of this vacation was pretty great though, just as the beginning was. Her Majesty was on everyone's mind, billboard, and city lights. And the Beatles references are here because I went on my own Magical Mystery Tour to Saville Row and Abbey Road in the heart of London.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

Her Majesty is a pretty nice girl.

Electronic billboards on the subway escalators

Huge crowds at Green Park, near Buckingham Palace

Window displays at Fortune & Mason darkened for the Queen

Piccadilly Circus

The Beatles Tour was on Sunday, but on Saturday, I took a River Thames Dinner Cruise. A relaxing way to view some of the city. It was a historical time to be in London.

Somber Palace of Westminster and Big Ben

Tower Bridge Alit in Royal Colors for The Queen

The times I've been in London, I never did a Beatles tour. Yes, they are from Liverpool, but the music business in the 1960s compelled them all the move to London where they spent a significant part of their lives. 

We visited many areas in Soho, including Paul McCartney's current offices and publishing company, Trident Studios, murals, and fashionable districts.

MPL - McCartney Publishing Limited

Former Trident Studios

"Hey Jude" and most of the "White Album" was recorded here at Trident Studios. As well as David Bowie's "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust" and "Space Oddity."

Spirit of Soho Mural

Carnaby Street, center of "Mod" fashion in the 1960s

Regent Street

Hamleys Toys

In January 1969, The Beatles imagined recording an album and playing live in front of millions. One outlandish thought was performing in an amphitheater in an Africa, where the guests arrived via a cruise boat in which the Beatles were the house band. After lots of debate, somehow they decided to play on the roof of their Apple Records studio and headquarters on 3 Saville Row. What a ruckus they caused!

This was the police station a few hundred feet down the street on Saville Row, where they heard the noise and came to try to shut down the concert.

This has nothing to do with the Beatles. I just wanted a photo from the Kingsman movie. Although it does speak to this district full of designer wear. The designers and shoppers who were annoyed with the rumblings from upstairs.

3 Saville Row

Now offices of Abercrombie & Fitch

Some Apple Scruff

London is also where John Lennon met Yoko Ono at an art studio, run by friends of the Beatles. 

A mural nearby marks the occasion and the piece of work that set the spark for them.

Abbey Road Studios in London is where a great many of the Beatles incredible catalogue was recorded. Their final studio release was named after the place. And, needing a cover photo, the lads stepped outside and walked across the famous road. Something I also got a chance to do.

That brings us to the end of the "Magical Mystery Tour" in London. 

I had attempted to rent a car and drive to Stonehenge, but that proved to be kind of a disaster. In two hours of driving, seemingly in circles, I managed only to get near Heathrow Airport. I was never going to make my appointed time. So I turned around, dropped the car off early and went to have Italian food near my hotel. And that is how it goes sometimes. 

I hope you enjoyed these blogs. I absolutely loved every bit of my time in Scotland. I would go back in a heartbeat and do everything all over again!

While also thinking about the next vacation. Do I finally go down under to Australia and New Zealand? Peru? Croatia? Time will tell. For now, that is...

The End

Peace and Love