10 Downing Street

Although we've been in St James's Square several times, today was the first time we noticed this creature hidden in the shrubbery:

Without any particular destination in mind, we moved from the square to the park of the same name, stopping on a bridge in St James's Park to admire the postcard view of the London Eye in the distance.

I never stop pining for this gingerbread-fantasy house in one corner of the park:

Along with a wall of names, a memorial to the victims of the 2002 Bali bombings includes this sphere of doves:

We were in the neighbourhood, and I've never seen Downing Street, so we decided to have a peek. Unfortunately, that's all we got, since this is as close as the public can get to 10 Downing Street these days. (It's down the street on the right-hand side, if you're wondering.)

Nearby, a striking memorial "raised to commemorate the vital work done by over seven million women during World War II" depicts the clothing that women left behind when their wartime work was finished.

While I think it's wonderful visually, the placement in the centre of busy traffic doesn't give much opportunity for thoughtful contemplation of the monument! We cut down another street where we were watched from above (and not just by the usual CCTV cameras). We later found out this building houses the Ministry of Defence.

Close to Trafalgar Square, but on a particular street on which we hadn't walked before, we spotted this blue plaque:

We've passed St Paul's Church on previous occasions when it was closed, but it was open today, so in we went!

Known as "the actors' church" because of its long association with the theatre community, the church contains numerous memorial plaques:

The church also houses a guest book

that only contains one signature!

Shoeboxes and bunnies peer out from this shop window near the church:

This odd structure is called Hairywood,

and it's a temporary installation that gives a few people at a time a different view of public spaces.

Bob and I took a turn on the comfy seats at the top, peering down at the Covent Garden crowds (it's definitely tourist season again) before climbing back down to street level to wander home.