30th Sep 2011- London trip

A: Imperial War Museum

The Imperial War Museum was founded during the First Wold War in 1917 and intended as a record of the war effort and sacrifice of Britain and her Empire. Today the museum gives its mission as "to enable people to have an informed understanding of modern war and its impact on individuals and society".

Originally housed in the crystal Palace, the museum opened to the public in 1920. In 1924 the museum moved to space in the Imperial Institute in South Kensington, and finally in 1936 the museum acquired a permanent home which was previously the Benthlem Royal Hospital in Southwark. The outbreak of the Second World War saw the museum expand both its collections and its terms of reference, but the post-war period saw the museum enter a period of decline. The 1960s saw the museum redevelop its Southwark building, now referred to as Imperial War Museum London, and which serves as the organisation's corporate headquarters.

Stunning September weather along the Thames

B: London Aquarium

The Sea Life London Aquarium is located on the ground floor of Country Hall on the South Bank of the River Thames, near the London Eye. It first opened in March 1997 as the London Aquarium and remains the capital's largest collection of aquatic species and hosts about one million visitors each year.

Octopus hiding in the dark – 

Shark babies waiting to hatch 

Manner rays sitting on the bottom of the tank 

The shark tank with walk through tunnel 

Shark waiting for the food 

Seahorse hanging on for a sleep 

Giant crab 

The Jumping Penguin

C: Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the London home and primary residence of the British Monarch. Located in the City Of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. It has been a focus for the British people at times of national rejoicing and crisis.

Originally known as Buckingham House, the building which forms the core of today's palace was a large townhouse built for the Duke of Buckingham in 1705 on a site which had been in private ownership for at least 150 years. It was subsequently acquired by George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte, and known as "The Queen's House". During the 19th century it was enlarged, principally by architects John Nash and Edward Blore, forming three wings around a central courtyard. Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837.

The state rooms, used for official and state entertaining, are open to the public each year for most of August and September, as part of the Palace's Summer Opening.

D: Premiere of Johnny English 2

We happened to be in Leicester square at lunch time and got fenced in with the crowds and film crew while the stars of the film arrived; including Rowan Atkinson and Gillian Anderson