Day 5 - London - Churchill War Rooms and the Imperial War Museum

Today we awakened to clouds but, once again, no rain and warmer temperatures.  We're finally in a good rhythm - up early to delivered coffee, newspaper and cookies; moving at whatever pace seems reasonable; breakfast in the Exec. Lounge (although it was so crowded yesterday that they comped our breakfast in the regular restaurant buffet); gathering our brochures, maps and GPS - leaving nothing to chance and off we go.  We're natives with the Tubes...this time once again from Marble Arch to Westminster and a short walk to Whitehall and the Churchill War Rooms...recommended by Pauline Frommer, Rick Steves, and, most important, Marilyn and Bob.  It was a wonderful experience especially since my book club had recently read The Postmistress and the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - yes there really is a book by that name.  Both books had a different look at London during WW II and I was grateful for having read them before coming to London.

The war rooms are exactly where they were during the war and replicated to show how and where Churchill and his War Cabinet made their decisions.  Included were tapes of conversations Churchill had with his generals, President Roosevelt, etc.  It was a moving and educational experience. As we were leaving we passed through a shop that carried all sorta of replications of food rationing, ration cards and even a ration cookbook for wartime kitchens.  A sobering experience.  We then walked about 1 1/2 miles across the Westminster bridge to Lambeth Street and the Imperial War Museum.  Except for the many instruments of war (planes, tanks, rockets, etc.), many of the exhibits focus on the impact of the war on people (soldiers, sailors, children, Londoners, etc.).  We started with the Holocaust Exhibit which was incredibly well done with many recorded interviews with survivors, descriptions of the experiences of children in German cities, ghettos and concentration camps and many remnants of those times.  Very emotional and moving and we ended up missing the rest of the crowded exhibits while digesting, once again, man's inhumanity to man.

Returned to the hotel on yet another Tube line in time for afternoon tea followed by heavy hors d'hoevres and drinks....no dinner tonight.

Pictures http://picasaweb.google.com/spengle/20101028#  Some pictures from the day before are duplicates - start with poster of Churchill.  We're on our way out and I wanted to get these posted before we leave so left the duplicates :)