
The morning view along Ellingham Road during summer
Summer in the United Kingdom falls on July and lasts until September. And when you talk about summer in this part of Europe, it is not the usual 38-degree tropical heat that could burn a fiery hole on your tin roof. The weather is still cold at 18 degrees during noontime and people are out on the streets bathing on cold sunshine, some wearing light sweaters or jackets, others go about wearing very light clothing.
This photo was taken with my phone’s camera during one of those 15-minute walks along Ellingham Road. I would take my niece to school as early as 8am and pick her up at 3pm. Most of the time, I walked my way home all by myself especially when Jackie, a Brunei national, was not around. I would spend those quiet moments immersing myself in that beautiful surrounding and wondered why we never had any of those here in Manila.

Tourists gathered below Victoria Memorial to get a better view of Changing the Guard ceremony at the frontyard of Buckingham Palace.
After Queen Victoria died in 1901, the British felt the need to demonstrate their devotion and gratitude to England’s longest reigning monarch. It found an expression in a monumental structure solely dedicated to her. A large statue of Queen Victoria was erected in 1911. It was placed at the at the center of the Queen’s Garden in Buckingham Palace in London. Sculptor Sir Thomas Brock designed the queen’s statue while the surrounding 2,300-ton white marble was constructed by architect Sir Aston Webb.
On the side of the monument are dark bronze statues of the Angels of Justice, Truth and Charity. Below are mermaids and other sea creatures that spoke of British naval power.
The entire structure has been collectively known as Victoria Memorial.