The poppies at the Tower of London are the talk of the town. You can’t switch on the news or flip open a newspaper in this city without seeing some reference to the infamous installation, commemorating the 888, 246 Commonwealth fatalities in World War 1.
I saw them back in September on a Bikram Yoga Run, but hadn’t seen the sea of red that was now surrounding the Tower. Being that it was Armistice Day, I decided to get up early and pay my respects with my Mum as the sun rose on the 11/11.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Laurence Binyon, September 1914
The view is breathtaking, as the run rises over Tower Bridge, the hush that remains around the site despite the surrounding bustling city is testament that the art installation has done its job. It has reminded us of the ultimate sacrifice that so many made to ensure our country remained a safe place to live.
By 7.15am there wasn’t a spare place to stand among the barriers- Mum and I went off in search of coffee and made our way to work with a feeling of stillness and peace.
Yours are some of the best photos I’ve seen, probably thanks to getting up at silly o’clock to make your visit! The view with a lit up Tower Bridge in the background is fantastic. When I visited, 11am on a Saturday morning, I couldn’t even get close. As a nation, we really do these things very well. Just another reason to be proud to be British.
This is lovely. I went yesterday too and found it so moving.
These photographs are beautiful – wow! It’s wonderful to see the Poppies in this dawn light! Thanks for sharing them.