2/3/09

My World - or it used to be!

These are pictures I took from the wonderful 'British Airways London Eye' a few years ago on a sightseeing day in London. It was erected on the South Bank of the River Thames for the Millenium celebrations in 2000. Unlike that notorious white elephant 'The Millenium Dome', this has become the leading tourist attraction in London.

Whenever I was showing visitors London, or just advising them what to see, this was always and still is my #1 recommendation. At the top you are more than 400ft above the river, with views across this wonderful city that just can't be matched anywhere else.

Some people fear they would not enjoy being so high up and turning. Well take it from someone with a fear of heights, you are hardly even aware it's moving once onboard and the views make you forget you're in a capsule!

So if you ever get to London, then make riding the London Eye your top priority, you will not regret it. I have been on it four times and will still go again the next time I make it home. The final shot is me on the South Bank looking towards Waterloo Station. Walking along the South Bank is another of my favourite things to do in London.

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52 comments:

Rinkly Rimes said...

You'll probably be nostalgic forever! I've lived most of my life out of England but I still get misty-eyed when it's shown on TV. I'm in Oz.

Anonymous said...

You know, I never did the Eye. I'm not one for heights, but the views from up there are wonderful. I also haven't gone up the CN Tower here in Toronto. See, I'm not perfect!

George said...

Now you've made me want to go back to London for another visit.

Sassy Britches said...

You know, I was there in '99 when they were gearing up for the millenium, so I missed all the fun! Looks like I'll be needing to make another trip!

Jan said...

Great post and your photos are wonderful.

Pam said...

YEp, it is a fabulous thing to do ... take a flight on the Eye. I don't usually do heights either, but this feels completely safe.

Flea said...

It's beautiful. But no way would I do it. Ferris wheels make me practically wet my pants. There was a gondola ride high above the Mississippi River for the world's fair years ago and I rode the entire way with my eyes shut. Can't do heights. Uh uh.

chrome3d said...

I thought about going there when I was in London few years ago. Never did but maybe next time. Good photo opportunities it provides.

Mojo said...

I can't decide which I like better, the photos from it, or the photos of it! They're all astonishing!

Sylvia K said...

What a great post! and how I would like to see that, be there, up there! I've traveled a great deal, but always regreted that I didn't get to London. Thanks so much for the photos, they're all marvelous! Have a good week! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

bass said...

Wow, I love that first photo. Very eye-catching and so vivid. I'm not so sure I'd be able to take the heights though. Thanks for sharing this.

♥ Braja said...

I don't htink I'd go in it but I do love your photos of the Thames :)

Photo Cache said...

From a former local and forever local, I will heed your advice.

My entry is at http://ewok1993.wordpress.com

Elaine Warner said...

I loved the eye and so did my friend who is scared of heights. Trust me, it's so big and so slow that it's less scary than an elevator. Did you see the pics of London today with 8" of snow? Daughter Zoe sent snaps from Penzance with snow on the palm trees!

Kay said...

These are fabulous shots and by golly, if we're ever back in London, we shall have to try that. Looks like fun... scary but fun!

Nancy said...

My husband loves London. He's been there on business and has wanted to take me there for some time. Our next trip (big trip), I think is going to be there - so thanks for the tips!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting your photos. It's a long time since 1969 when I saw London. If I return, I'll be sure to ride the Eye.

Swarna said...

Should mark that in my travel diary, for whenever!
Lovely pics!

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures - that night shot is stunning! I'm very scared of heights so can't imagine getting up on the London Eye. But perhaps I should try next time I get over to the UK.

Errant said...

i'm going to london in 6 months ..heard a lot about London Eye i must visit ..

karen said...

i absolutely loved the London Eye! I'm also not mad on heights, but it didn't bother me at all! only problem was, it wasn't long enough!! can't wait to go back & do it again sometime soon :-)

antigoni said...

I would like to visit this place.
Excellent post and photos.

Reader Wil said...

Hi! I know almost the whole history of the Wheel as we call it overhere. It was made in Holland by the factory Hollandia and some of my students were involved in the making of it. My eldest daughter was one of the draughtsmen/women who drew part of it. On the day of the lifting up of the Wheel we were all glued to the TV screen and were very disappointed that the cables broke the first time
. Lateron when everything went well we were so happy and congratulated each other. I bought an enormous jigsaw puzzle picturing it. It's a pity that only the designers and BAW are mentioned on a tour, for Hollandia had done a great job and the engineers who made the plan were very clever and Dutch! I am going to write about it another time and showing some photos of the work in the factory. Your photos are magnificent!! I hope you don't mind me writing about the Wheel??

Troy said...

The London Eye is truly amazing. We took my father on it for his 70th birthday treat.
I can't help observing that private enterprise built the London Eye and the Government built the Millenium Dome - I think that clearly sums up the difference between the two systems, don't you?

EG CameraGirl said...

But I'm very afraid of heights even if it IS totally irrational. ;-( If I ever get to London again I might try it though. I LOVE incredible views.

Daryl said...

Someday ... hopefully in the not so distant future ...

Louise said...

I didn't think that looked like OK!

It's wonderful, and the view would be worth any bit of anxiousness about heights.

Mare said...

I guess it should go on my bucket list!!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Sarah: Thanks for sharing the wonders of London, your old world.

Jane Hards Photography said...

It really is another world to the one you inhabit now. Something I need to do on my next visit. I miss little things - like shops.

imac said...

Thats it Im going on it.

Really great captures.

??? said...

Gorgeous photos, they make me want to go to London again (maybe later this year!).
...
*snort* My word verification is locoduck. Nice one :)

DeeBee said...

I've never been to London and I've also never seen it pictured as you have shown here. It's great to see this side of London.

Sandy said...

Your photos are beautiful.
I'm such a wimp when it comes to heights. I have issues with ferris wheels - nor could I handle going up into the Space Needle. I will admire your view. :)

Expat mum said...

The queues are a bit horrendous in the summer but it's worth it. One thing that always strikes me is how hilly London really is. When you're driving around (apart from the Finchley Road area) you don't really get the feeling of it being a valley.

Carver said...

These are great shots of the London eye. My daughter went on the London Eye not long after it was open but the last time I was in London was prior to it opening. You captured it as well as the views so well.

Eki said...

What beautiful pictures and views of and from the Eye ... Would love to see it for myself someday.

Happy My World Tuesday!

SandyCarlson said...

Wow! The sight of that gave me goosebumps! I would be game--a game chicken, but game!

What great compositions. Your pictures convince me!

Sherri said...

Sarah, what great photos. I especially love the one of the night pic-it's beautiful!!

Barbara said...

Great photos especially the night photo, I have yet to visit.

dianasfaria.com said...

I am so going there when I get to London one of these days!

Anonymous said...

Wow, great shots and what fantastic views. Maybe one of these days I'll get to travel and take this in. :-)

Niki Z! said...

I hope the eye is still there when I go back to England, which I don't know when that will be, saying I was last there over 20 years ago :(

Looks awesome though!

Kathie Brown said...

Wow, what awesome photos! I would like to go here myself!

A Scattering said...

I'll take your suggestion under advisement and, if I travel to England again, I'll try the eye. Great shots!

Catherine said...

This used to be my world too!! Thanks for the London pix.. they are always much more special when you are so far away...

Anonymous said...

I should have talked to you before I decided not to ride on the Eye during my last visit. I thought it would be like a Ferris Wheel, and I've never been comfortable on those.

magiceye said...

BRILLIANT CAPTURES OF A BEAUTIFUL WORLD!!

Indrani said...

I can't be up there and pretend to be brave! Whew!!
Beautiful shots!!

Melinda said...

I was in London during the fall of '99 which means they were either still working on it or they had finished it and weren't letting anyone ride it. Now I HAVE TO go back.

Susie of Arabia said...

Lovely photos - thanks for sharing with us.

Janet said...

Despite what you say, I could never go on this, I'm terrified of heights. I'm probably the only person who has visited Paris several times and never been up the Eiffel Tower. One has to know one's limitations. :-)