Slaves and Lawyers

Today was about playing tourists and getting a bit of London history under our belts.

We set off first for the West Indies Docks where the Museum of London Docklands is based. The weather wasn’t great so a bit of shower dodging required. After underground and DLR travel we found the museum on West Indies wharf just by Canery Wharf. The museum is set up to tell the story of the docks which have been critical in the development of London. Fitted in well with our walk last week around the Bermondsey area on the other side of the river.

While I was expecting the main themes of trade etc I was surprised by the history of slavery in the port. London was the 4th largest slave trading port and their history is heaverly tied up in the suger plantations in the West Indies (obvious with the name) and the slave trade to make it all work. The museum covers a whole range of history and is set in the origional warehouse area. Again well worth a visit and thought provoking.

From there we worked our way back to Holborn where we joined a walking tour around the Inns of Court. This is the legal area of London where there are 4 Inns which all barristers need to belong to to practice. The are all steeped in tradition with outfits such as the knights templor, the inner and middle temples etc. Fantastic stories and lots of secret ally’s and beatiful spots in the middle of the city. Charles Dickons featured a lot having worked for Greys Inn where he set many of his books. I have downloaded a couple of Rumpole of the Bailey books on the back of this given the author, John Mortimer was a barrister based in this area. A pint at the end of the walk well earned.

Dinner that night prepared by Jo was great as we prepare to farewell Helen back to Germany tomorrow.