Zebra Cam

Ever want to see Beatle pilgrims and tourists risk their lives for a photo op? Now you can with the Abbey Road Web Cam!

This camera is situated in front of the studio (you can see the white post of the front gate in the lower-right corner), looking south-ish toward the crosswalk, the opposite perspective from the album cover.

It's probably not quite as dangerous as it seems. While cars in London have the unchallangeable right-of-way at most crossings, the only time they're required to give way to pedestrians is at the "zebra" crosswalks, such as the one at the Abbey Road intersection.

Bear in mind: if you're viewing this from North America, London is five hours ahead of the Eastern time zone. Probably best viewed on the weekend during day, local time.

London Snaps

Finally got some of my photos from my trip organized. Uploaded them to Ofoto (Kodak). There are four albums altogether: 3 of London and 1 of Dublin. I still have to organize my Dublin photos and the ones from my last 3-4 days in London. I've added some comments to most of the photos. You can view them by clicking on the arrows, or by viewing it as a slideshow. There are a few of them, so pull up a chair.

Enjoy the first 2 photo albums!

London Calling

I got back from my trip Tuesday night. I was supposed to be back last Sunday, but had a bit of an unfortunate brain cramp when I was leaving London--I went to the wrong airport! I was supposed to fly out of Gattwick, but instead I went to Stansted airport. Ugh. I'm usually more organized than that when I travel. Guess I was just brain-tired. So I missed my flight, and the airline (Zoom) didn't have any other flights until Wednesday, and they said it was full and just generally weren't very helpful. So I had to scramble to find another way home. Got a flight Tuesday with Northwest that went to Minneapolis, where I changed to Toronto. Paid full fare. Ouch. Oh well, live and learn.

Had an absolutely fantastic trip, though. Best vacation ever!! London is fabulous. Weather was perfect. I actually got a sunburn. I had a blast in Dublin too. How could I not like a place that reveres writers, oozes music and celebrates pub life! Saw a bit of the country too--took a day tour, train to Limerick, then bus through County Clare to the Cliffs of Moher near Galway on the west coast.

I have to say, though it may seem corny, I left there feeling a stronger connection to my Irish-ness. It makes sense that that's where I come from. Five or six generations across time suddenly didn't seem like such a chasm. More like crossing the River Liffey than traversing the Atlantic. I definitely will return for another visit.

I'm just starting to get my 500+ photos organized, and I'll do a proper write-up later, but for now, here are a few snaps to give you the flavour.


Big Ben

A certain road

St. Paul's Cathedral

Guard at The Tower of London

The Ha'penny Bridge in Dublin

One of Dublin's famous doors

The Cliffs of Moher

Kildare train station

Oliver St. John Gogarty's pub in the Temple Bar area in Dublin