The View...

...and we saw it all! From Nelsons Column (1843) 169ft to The Shard (2012) 1016ft.

Really enjoyed the experience, although we nearly didn't get there. Woke up to 5/6 cms of snow! The intention was to drive to York to catch the train, but Harrogate seemed to be gridlocked! Plan B, caught a train from Harrogate to York and caught our connection with 3 minutes to spare!

The Shard is really a beautiful building. The staff directing visitors were so helpful, polite and genuinely happy. There was an efficient security check and then we were whizzed silently up to Level 68 for the 360 degree view over the city. There was plenty of room to walk about and you could just stand back and look directly over the view or move to the glass walls to look down to the city at your feet.

Then another lift to Level 72 at 224m which is the highest public level viewing. Here you are exposed to the elements, luckily it wasn't windy although still chilly. We came across some men on the outside checking various parts of the structure (apparently everything is checked regularly). They seemed very happy hanging from ropes hauling themselves up and down.

One of the attendants told us that there are permanent window cleaners who start from the top, work down to the bottom and then go back to the top again - definitely a steady job!

Yes I know it is expensive (£25.00 per person) and some would say a rip off. For me it is a beautiful building and it is there, providing an experience of looking over a vast city. It is different and iconic, and if I lived nearer I would try to return at different times, just think of a beautiful sunset over London.

Thanks for the comments yesterday, I will catch up with you all later.