London Day Two: The “queue” Extends For Miles, As A Nation Shows It’s Love For Queen Elizabeth II
It was still early Friday morning, my second day in London on my trip to pay my respects to Queen Elizabeth II. After leaving Green Park and Buckingham Palace I continued my morning walk and headed toward Westminster Abbey where Queen Elizabeth II was Lying-In State. I crossed the Mall which was closed to traffic and was lined with British flags. The Queen’s funeral procession will proceed along this avenue on Monday. 
On the other side of the avenue I entered St. James Park. 
It was a beautiful park lined with ancient trees. 
There was a lake in the park with many ducks and swans swimming on it’s waters. 
There were still crowds of people heading to Westminster Abbey on the paths in St. James Park,
and, when I left the quiet of the park I encountered even larger crowds as I approached
Westminster Abbey. 
Here I again saw the people now at the end of the famous “queue”. The people shown here in this of Westminster Abbey waited in a line that extended five mile line for an incredible 12 hours. The citizens of Great Britain were showing their love and respect for the Queen, the longest reigning monarch in their history. 
I walked past the “queue” at Westminster Abbey and toward Big Ben and Parliament.
Here there were crowds of people and reporters from all over the world who, like me, traveled to London for this sad and historic event. 
I decided to walk back to the “queue” line and follow it as it wound five mile along the Thames River. The line followed the walking path along the Thames River and I saw the crowds as they approached the Lambeth Bridge, 
After crossing the bridge I had views of the long line of mourners ,and the many reporters from around the world reporting on this sad and historic event. 
I lost sight of the line when pedestrians were directed away form the river. I followed a street that took me past St. Thomas’ Hospital. 
After passing the large hospital complex I rounded a corner and was now on the wide Westminster Bridge Road which was closed to traffic. Parliament and Big Ben were in view across the Thames River. It was a remarkable scene, 
At the Westminster Bridge I again saw the long lines, being allowed the cross the bridge in increments of around a 100 people and rejoin the line on the other side of the road. 
As I crossed the bridge I took in the views of the Thames River, with Big Ben and Parliament on the left, 
and the London Eye or Millennium Wheel on the right. 
As I approached Big Ben and Parliament the din of the crowd increased and the music of bagpipes filled the air. It was somber and sad, truly a scene befitting a Queen.
I had to use the restroom and found the Westminster Underground restroom decorated with theses interesting illustrations. It was one of the most artistic, although not cleanest, bathroom I had ever used. 
I returned to the large crowds that gathered at Westminster, 
and watched the steady flow of security , soldiers, bobbies, some on horses that walked along the street which was closed to traffic and pedestrians. 
It was getting late in the morning and I had already walked over four miles. . I left the crowds at Westminster and walked up Whitehall Street toward Trafalgar Square. 
This street is lined with government buildings and many statutes commemorating the soldiers and heroes of Great Britain. I found this one, honoring the women who served in World war II to be very moving. In the corner of the memorial was a photo of the Queen, who as a young women, was very much involved in supporting the troops and war effort. A very fitting tribute to Queen Elizabeth II . 
I continued up this historic street, lined with so many monuments and statutes and even guards on horseback. Once again saw many soldiers, bobbies and security contractors preparing for the funeral and crowds of people many with flowers walking to Green Park to past their respects to the Queen. 
I soon saw the large Nelson’s Column that towers over Trafalgar Square in the distance. It is dedicated to Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson’s famous victory over the French fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. 
As I approached the square I was surprised to see this reminder of home, an advertisement for the Jersey Boys,
I walked through the square and the towering monument and decided to eat at nearby Caffe Concerto. 
I had a nice American breakfast and some good coffee. It was near noon now and I had walked miles so I decided to take the Underground at Charing Chase back to Kings Cross. 
Waling through the tubes of the London Underground is an experience in of itself. I love the walls lined with advertisements and public service information. And the walks between different lines are not short. Sometimes you must walk a city block or two underground to change line. 
I made it back to Kings Cross and this time found platform 9 3/4 of Harry Potter fame, and the store selling Harry Potter merchandise located there. 
I walked back to my hotel to check in with my office back home and edit some photos. I was exhausted from my walk and lack of sleep but I was in London and I was soon out on another adventure. Here is a link to a gallery with more photos of my hike through the streets of London and past Westminster Abbey where Queen Elizabeth II Lie- In-State . London Day Two. Westminster Abbey walk September 16 2022.
A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.—MAYA ANGELOU
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