Bishops, Royal Park, Queen Anne’s street

We had a “celeb sighting” as we crossed the street. The Bishop of London is both religious and political because she has a seat in the House of Lords (the senior House of Parliament) in addition to being the bishop. Only the Bishops of Canterbury and York are higher than her. The most reverend doctor Sarah Mullally is the current bishop. Mark was thrilled to spot her dressed in a black cape,Crossing the street, and reading something as she was crossing the street. She is giving the mass today at the Commonweath service and Mark was anticipating she may have been reviewing her sermon as she headed toward a rehearsal at the palace.

We passed through a picturesque stretch of park where the kids were fascinated with the black swans, the views of the London Eye, and people watching 

After exiting the park we hit Queen Anne’s street. She resigned from 1702-1714 and this is the best preserved street from that period. Some houses have enormous wide front doors. The wealthy at the time wouldn’t get out in the street; rather the sedan chair carriers would carry you from your carriage through the front door and then up the staircase to the first floor. The streets were apparently just too filthy and you were too posh to touch the road or even the ground floor of your home. 

During the early days of the London bombings in World War 2, these homes became temporary bomb shelters for the people who might have been caught in the streets. Homeowners would paint an X on the side of their house if they had opened up their basement for people to take shelter in their cellars when the air raid sirens went off. This was before public shelters had been established. 

At the end of the street is a spot filmed for the newest Mary Poppins movie. They cyclepast this picturesque pub from the alley.
From here we reached the bus and noticed the road leading to Westminster Abbey is already being closed off in anticipation of the Comminwealth Day services this afternoon.