London From Above

[tillystar]

Yesterday we took a "flight" on the London Eye. She can be seen from all over London

img17.imageshack.us/img17/6274/dsc00277m.jpg [/img]



The Eye was opened in 2001 and is situated on the Soutbank of the River Thames. At 135 metres it is the highest ferris wheel in Europe.

The wheel carries 32 egg shaped capsules, they are entirely sealed and carry up t 25 people eac. They are very spacious and you can walk around inside.

I suffer from terrible vertigo (step ladders are a challenge) but the design of the capsules makes me feel safe and others who have a fear of heights have said the same to me.

It takes 30 minutes to go all the way around and even though this was my third trip it still seemed to go too quickly.













I live on that hill in the background in the picture above. It is the highest hill in London and borders Kent.











Sadly my camera ran out of battery as we started to descend over the other side of London. Next time though…

[bjd]

I'm glad to hear that it's not scary, Tilly. I don't like heights either and saw the London Eye from below last time I went to London. Didn't think about waiting in line to go up there.

Of course, now that I have seen your photos, I don't need to!

[bixaorellana]

I have just put a gross of batteries in the mail for you, Tilly!

What an amazing thing this is. I truly had no idea the London Eye was that big. Of course I've seen it in many photographs, but its scale never registered before. Also, I never really got why London would allow a big old carnival ride (as I thought of it ) smack in the middle of the city. Your pictures and explanation blew my limited imaginings wide open.

Like you, I don't even like standing on a chair to change a light bulb, but now I'm dying to go up in The Eye. So obvious to say, but -- you can see everything! You got such great pictures, too. I love all the detail. Each picture is fascinating, with whole histories of the city laid out to the horizon. And those last two, first with the clouds boiling up behind the perfectly placed egg, then the very last, with the vertical wisps of cloud -- wow!

Tilly, did your little girl go? What was her reaction? How about all the people in the pod with you? They must have been as excited as any child.

[Deleted]

I've been on the London Eye once, and it was a lovely experience. I, too, have photos somewhere.

It's true that 30 minutes is both long and short for the full circuit. It would be great if they would put some tapas bars in some of the pods and make the full cycle last an hour. ;D

[joanne28]

I went up in 2004. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't just after we had climbed to the top of St. Paul's. The third flight of stairs nearly did me in - wrought-iron spiral staircase - essentially I felt if I fell I would go splat. So I was still more than a little shaken by the time we got to the Eye. But I did enjoy and will go back one day.

Tilly, what's the name of the hill?

[komsomol]

Is that a train station on the right just after the bridge in photo 5? Looks pretty impressive.

[fumobici]

Yes, London Charing Cross.

[lugg]

These photos taken from a helicopter above London are interesting viewing

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22716262

[htmb]

Oh, that's nice! It gave me a little bit better of an idea of the city, particularly the Isle of Dogs.

[tod2]

Yes, VERY nice indeed Lugg! Lovely to see Mudchute Farm and know "I've been there!' I can even pick out the allotment gardens in the centre of the two patches of lawn.

[mickthecactus]

These are from the 27th floor of the old Natwest Tower -