The Story
Day 6 – It was a relaxing day. Rick and I attended the sung Eucharist at St Paul’s Cathedral. Considering both of us sing in choirs, It was amazing to experience the choir and pipe organ. We were blown away by the acoustics and the beautiful harmonies of the choir.
We then took the Uber Clippers boat to Greenwich. I have wanted to witness the Prime Meridian since I was a kid, so this was memorable for me. We roamed around in Greenwich, which is tucked away in the southeast of London and it was the starting point of the London Marathon. We took routes to avoid large crowds and traffic. We somehow saw glimpses of the marathon along the way.
We wanted to try a Sunday roast so I searched on Google for the best place nearby and we came across the best pub for it in Greenwich. The people were so friendly and welcoming, we had a lovely chat for a couple of hours before we departed.
I went on a Harry Potter walking tour which was very lovely and I got to walk in places I hadn’t been before.
All in all, we walked 18,997 steps and 13.01 KMs.
A Sunday in London: Eucharist, Boats, Roasts, and Harry Potter
St. Paul’s Cathedral Eucharist: Every Sunday, St. Paul’s Cathedral hosts two Eucharist services. The first is at 8:00 AM, a said service, and the main celebration is at 11:15 AM, a sung Eucharist featuring choral music and hymns. This service is a beautiful way to start your Sunday, immersing you in centuries-old traditions and stunning architecture.
Uber Clipper’s Boat to Greenwich: Our trip to Greenwich coincided with the day of the London Marathon. Uber Clipper offers a convenient and scenic route to Greenwich. With services running from early morning until late at night, you can avoid the marathon traffic and enjoy the Thames’ picturesque views. It’s a perfect way to travel between key points of the marathon route. I had always wanted to see the Prime Meridian and I didn’t want to skip out on seeing it with my own eyes.
Sunday Roast Tradition: No Sunday in London is complete without a traditional Sunday roast. This hearty meal typically includes roasted meat (beef, lamb, or chicken), crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and a variety of vegetables. It’s a time-honored tradition that brings families and friends together for a comforting and delicious meal. We were searching for a place to have a proper Sunday Roast and we were pondering whether we should find a place in Greenwich since we were already there or take the risk of overcrowded spots in London, due to the Marathon. A little bit of searching online landed us at a hearty restaurant by the name, “Ye Olde Rose & Crown Greenwich”. What a lucky find it was! We had the most amazing conversation with the blokes next to us at the table. A quite memorable evening it turned out to be.
Historical Significance of Canada Water
Canada Water is named after the former Canada Dock, which was a major hub for ships arriving from Canada. During the 18th and 19th centuries, timber from Canada was a crucial import for London, and the dock played a vital role in the timber trade2. The area was part of the larger Surrey Commercial Docks, which were central to London’s maritime commerce. It has a striking resemblance in its architecture to that of Canada.
Harry Potter Walking Tour: For Harry Potter fans, London offers a magical walking tour that takes you through iconic locations featured in the films. From Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station to the Leaky Cauldron, this tour brings the enchanting world of Harry Potter to life. It’s a fun and immersive experience for fans of all ages. Being a Harry Potter fan, this was on the top of my list of things to do in London. It did not disappoint; it brough back memories of the wonderful movies of Harry Potter I’ve watched numerous times over the years. To top it off, it was a tour done at dusk which showcased the heart of London in quite a different way.
