Welcome Spring - 12

I recently visited Worcester and stayed in the Travelodge - the modern tall building in the photo below. It is located just opposite the lovely Cathedral, and cost just £19 a night - an 'Easter Special'. My room was clean, comfy, and quiet. The cheap accommodation enabled me to 'pull out the stops' with some splendid meals - it is Eastertide after all!



Here are some lovely Spring flowers in the roundabout between the Cathedral and the Travelodge.

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus - 10

The whole bright world rejoices now,
The birds sing out on every bough;
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Then shout beneath the racing skies
To him who rose that we may rise:
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Let us rejoice! All shall be well,
Friends severed now, in heaven shall dwell:
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
The end of all our ways is love;
Then rise with him to things above:
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Now let all living things rejoice,
Let young and old lift heart and voice:
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
He rose to cheer us on our ways,
He lives to bless us all our days:
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Happy Eastertide Sunday!

Welcome Spring - 11

There is always a lovely display of bedding plants in front of the main gates of Buckingham Palace. The tulips and wallflowers are just about to come out in full bloom.



We return to our Easter Alleluias tomorrow.

Welcome Spring - 10

I took a photo of these two birds in St James's Park.



I'm not sure what they are - but they are certainly not pigeons! I trust they have not escaped from the garden of Buckingham Palace.

Welcome Spring - 9

Here is another photo taken in St James's Park, London. This one shows the view towards Buckingham Palace - the London Residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It was in this Palace that Pope John Paul II met the Queen on 28 May 1982.



God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us;
God save the Queen!

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign;
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To say with heart and voice
God save the Queen!

John Paul II reigned as Pope for just over 26 years - Elizabeth II has reigned as Queen for just over 56 years (to date). The Queen - though not a Catholic - has a very strong Christian faith, which she is proud to profess in public.

Welcome Spring - 8

Here are two springtime photos takes in St James's Park, London. This is one of the Royal Parks, and it runs from Buckingham Palace in the South West to Trafalgar Square in the North East. The weeping willows are in leaf, and the duck is clearly enjoying the sunshine!



Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Welcome Spring - 7

Last week I decided to have a ride on the London Eye prior to having a walk through St James's Park. I took some lovely spring photos in the Park, but thought that the non-UK viewers of the blog would enjoy some photos around the River Thames which runs through London. Here is the London Eye on the South Bank of the Thames.



Here is a close up of one of the capsules. I imagine there are about 25 capsules in all, and the circular ride takes around 20 minutes. Each capsule holds around 20 people - so around 1,500 people can enjoy the ride each hour.



Here is a familiar view of Big Ben (or more correctly St Stephen's Tower) and the Houses of Parliament. You can see part of Westminster Abbey (Protestant) in the background.



Here is a view towards the City of London - one of the major banking centres of the world. You can see St Paul's Cathedral (Protestant) in the centre.



Finally, here is a view of St James's Park, with Buckingham Palace in the background. More photos (from the ground!) will follow. I know that these pictures hardly give the impression, but it was a lovely spring day - honestly!