Steppin'outtamyshoes: Parks named for Queen Vicky and Queen Lizzie

Staying in Stratford London we were close to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where the 2012 Olympics were held in London. The park was renamed Queen Elizabeth in 2013. Looking out our hotel we could see the the hideous ugly, curly-wurly red scaffolding ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower designed by Anish Kapoor for the Olympic Games.

Ugly thing

My friend Laurie (who was still in London for her 6 month adventure) decided to visit the park and we able to walk from our hotel. We walked around the park and decided to check out the boat tour along the river running through the park. As we walked to the boat dock we saw this woman and she pointed out baby coots that has just been born that morning they were at the side of a boat so watched them for awhile the mother laying there the babies getting in the water for their first swim and the daddy diving to get breakfast is was an amazing thing to behold.

Mama and her coots

Daddy bringing breakfast

First Swim

swimming back to mom

We bought our tickets and took the boat ride it was ok nothing to write home about just a nice little ride we passed the Olympic rings. After we stopped and looked at the baby coots again another one had been born so the total was 5. While were walking around snapping photos near the river I suddenly realized how close to the rivers edge I was and I was very lucky I did not step in still get chills when I think of how close. I have zero interest in the Olympics I would not even look out the window if they were in my back yard but wanted to see the park. It really was nothing in comparison to most London parks but hey its a park. The 9/11 Memorial was unveiled there March 2015, the sculpture by American Artist Miya Ando honors nearly 3000 Americans including 67 Brits killed in the attack. It was first located in Battersea park and then put out to rust in a farm field, until it was re-located.

Olympic rings

paperlike flwers

watch your step

interesting shot into a mirror

9/11 Memorial made from Girder of the destroyed Towers

Up next was Victoria Park know colloquially as Vicky Park or the Peoples Park. The park was opened in 1845 and is located in London's East End. In the later half of the 18th Century, the park became the park for the working class of the East end. From the start it was a meeting place for those working to improve social and Industrial conditions. The Pagoda was originally sent in Hyde Park 1842 Chinese exhibit and was later moves to Victoria park Island. The park appears in the 2014 John Lewis Christmas advert with Monty the Penguin.

Interesting Piece in the water

Dogs of Alcibiades

1842 Pagoda

Yours truly

At this point Laurie decided to head off on her own and I walked along a part of the Regent Canal for awhile because it was a section I had not been to. Then I headed to Liverpool Street Station to check out Shaun the Sheep, it was an interesting bus ride and I somehow managed to drag myself to sit up stairs for the front seat view.