As you may know, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI. To commemorate this, an extraordinary art installation at the Tower of London pays tribute to 888,246 British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in the war. The installation consists of a blood red sea of ceramic poppies spilling out of the Tower of London into the moat around it. I had seen TV coverage of it when it first opened with Pronce William, Kate and Prince Harry placing their poppies in the moat. Since then, it has grown to where poppies almost completely surround the castle. This will only be in place until November 11th this year so, if I did nothing else on my visit to London, I was determined to see it. Thankfully, it was a sunny day here Friday so off I went. It is easy to get to. You take the Tube to Tower Hill, come out of the station, go down some stairs and through and tunnel and there it is.
It is difficult to put into words the feelings you get when you see it. It is overwhelming, poignant, emotional, stunning, etc. I am at a loss to explain it. I spent a few moments in silence honouring those who had fallen, not just in that war but also in wars since then. It is such a fitting tribute and, after it is over, the poppies are being sold to raise money for charity which gives it an additional purpose. Poppies are still being added. There was a large number of volunteers installing them while I was there.
After I left there, I took a short wander out onto the Tower Bridge for a view of the Thames before heading back to Maida Vale.
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