Thursday, 21 February 2013

The Early Bird Catches The View!

The tallest building in the European Union, rising 1016 ft above London is now open. Renzo Piano's Shard is the latest iconic landmark to change the skyline of the big smoke. We took a little looky-looky at The View from The Shard, a few days after it's official opening. 

Click Images to Enlarge 

The 72nd floor is open to the elements, here you can enjoy what felt like a breath of fresher London air and the wind in your hair, accompanied by an ethereal soundtrack.








As London's evolving silhouette gets evermore adventurous and exciting, it feels a step nearer to the futuristic cityscape I dreamed of in my youth. All that's missing is a population clad in silver catsuits....EEK!
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28 comments:

  1. Very nice! Definitely on our list for the next time we have a day out in London!

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  2. Pretty sleek! Just in time for my trip next week ;) Awesome photos, you! Ciao, Loi

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  4. EEK indeed! Silver cat suits I could possibly tolerate :-), but being that high up in that phallic Shard-oh-ney, naah, not so sure... I am not usually afraid of heights, but that just looks like a proportionally questionable building... :-) But who am I to complain - at least I do not have to strap on a harness and abseil my way through some window cleaning (?) on the outside...!!!

    However, I have to confess to being slightly curious about this new cloud-tickling glass baby, and who knows, before you know it I might be on my way up to the 72nd floor myself. My romantic mind also drifts to many a lovey-dovey film scene featuring the viewing floor at the top of the Empire State Building, and I can't help but wondering if London will soon see the same kind of high-altitude cinematic amour...?

    Now, my 'amour' goes out to your mouth-watering dessert trio in your previous post... My word, they look goooooood!!! Yum times three!

    I hope you are well, dear Paul, and that you have acclimatised yourself to this cold, cold country after your time away. I am doing my best to will spring to ... well, spring, but not much luck yet, at least not here in wintery Wiltshire!

    Helena xx

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  5. How exciting it must have been to be waaaay up there out in the open. I cannot imagine. Years ago I was at Windows on the World at the top of the World Trade Center in NYC, it was so high we could see the actual curvature of the Earth it seemed like. I loved it! And, it was unforgettable. Sending love, honey-bunny...

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  6. hmmmm...in preparation of a silver catsuit...I will if you will!

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  7. YOu know, I always love reading your comments. Silver Catsuits indeed;-)

    As for the Shard, well Paul it is fantastic and it is now on the bucket list. Don't you love the shadow on the landscape? And the view..to see London like that. Thanks so much for sharing your photos.

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  8. ........next stop for you has to be the Burj Khalifa in Dubai - tallest building in the world. Paul, you can enjoy afternoon tea on the 122nd floor - and yes, it's an amazing tea so go hungry! We were overwhelmed when there last year. Looking out everything, even tall very skyscrapers, looked so teeny tiny below, and the desert in the distance was awesome.

    Thanks for sharing your pics - love the shadow in the last one! Guess I'll have to come back to London proper, not just Heathrow, to visit the Shard some day........now where can I find a silver catsuit?

    Mary - back now from Antarctica where the only TALL things were pristine snow-capped mountains and icebergs!

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  9. Wow that is fantastic. What a view from the top. I don't think I could go to the top though as I'd be too afraid. I don't care for heights and those glass walls just make it worse. I noticed the huge shadow the Shard makes on the city scape below. Thanks for sharing the pics of your tour! Pamela

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  10. Paul, these are fantastic views. Looks like a fun adventure for you to be on the 72nd Floor. Last year, we tried the London Eye for the first time, when we reached the top, we felt like we were on top of the World, near the clear blue skies and overlooking the 360 degrees views of London. You must have felt the same way here, of course this Building is taller than the London Eye as I can see from one of your pictures above....One thing for sure, your photos are amazing! :)

    P.S. If I can choose what to wear in a futuristic City, can I please wear the clothes from the A/W 2013 Peter Pilotto Collection presented a few days ago? Check out his futuristic prints and silhouette. But if no choice, then a silver catsuit will do. :(

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  11. Wow! This looks fabulous Paul, I cannot wait to see it for myself in the Fall!

    I hope you have a fabulous weekend, Elizabeth

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  12. Cool shots!
    Happy SWF to you!

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  14. Fantastic photos. - makes me want to head back to London soon! Happy Skywatch Friday!

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  15. Fantastic Paul! Am often in town so will definitely go and take a peek from the top!

    Have a great weekend......

    Sophia

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  16. Too high for me! It would jangle my nerves way too much to ascend to such heights although being surrounded in silver catsuit clad people might help...

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  17. Such an impressive building Paul ....and that skyline...just beautiful!

    Happy weekend,

    Madelief

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  18. ca doit vraiment etre tres impressionnant et magnifique a voir !

    bon w end ;o)

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  19. Hope the elevator is in good shape -I couldn't think of walking 72 sets of stairs:)Thanks for sharing!

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  20. I'm glad you went there and took all those nice pictures for us, cause with my vertigo, there is no way I can climb that high ! Thanks for the sharing !

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  21. Great pictures and the window washers must have a daily job to clean the glass here.

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  22. What a great photo essay of this new London building. Terrific views and reflections. Well done.

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  23. Hi Paul,
    Great shots, and weren't you lucky to have such a bright clear day.
    Have planned to visit The Shard soon.
    Hope you have a lovely weekend,
    Liz x

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  24. I have been for Christmas in London but this incredible view is breathtaking! I know the building because we stayed at the City of London. Thank you, you must be brave to arrive up there!

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  25. Paul, Great photos. I haven't heard of this. Looks like fun to go to the top. I'll have to keep this in mind when I visit London this Summer. I think my boys would love to do this.

    xx
    Kim

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  26. Another reason to visit can be added to the tourist brochures - 'come visit on the 72nd floor for a breath of fresh air !'

    I get palpitations atop an 8' ladder so would have to forgo heights like this unless I was at least 5' back from a window.

    Splendid photos.

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  27. i guess i should visit london soon. it's been a while.

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