Christmas Treat in London

It's a really cold December day, temperatures struggle to reach zero degrees C, but the sun shines as we cycle to the station.  On the train we have photos from Sri Lanka to entertain us.  The young lady is taking the Anuradhapura-Kandy bus & exiting at Dambulla. Here she will 

take the bus to Sigiriya where she will stay at  Sigiriya Rock Front Hotel, and climb 

Pidurangala Rock for sunset. 

Where the elephants come in is anyone's guess, but it's a nice change from the view of

the Kennet Valley

After lunch at Chilango, Chancery Lane  

We head to The Postal Museum

Lovely Christmas decorations

Inside we have a look round the museum.  

The Royal Mail can trace its history back to 1516, when Henry VIII established a "Master of the Posts", a position that was renamed "Postmaster General" in 1710. 
Upon his accession to the throne of England in 1603,  James VI and I moved his court to London. One of his first acts from London was to establish the royal postal service between London and Edinburgh, in an attempt to retain control over the Scottish Privvy Council. 
The Royal Mail service was first made available to the public by Charles I on 31 July 1635, with postage being paid by the recipient.

Read more here

Queen Victoria London Ornate Pillar Box 1857-59

I just about remember these phone boxes.  I never understood button A and B

Blue post boxes for air mail first appeared in 1930.  Even my Mum wouldn't have remembered that.  Air mail itself started in 1914!

Now, I do remember queueing to use these things in my hall of residence at University.

The Christmas treat is a ride on Rail Mail

That was amazing fun, narrated by real live (well, recorded)  ex workers.  The Rail Mail train served to get mail across the capital the quickest way possible.  It closed early this century.  I expect it was superceded by email, although this is not explained. 

The next treat is a pint of Quince and Fig IPA at Brewdog Soho

We have a bite to eat at Leon Eastcastle
Next it's to the BBC Radio Theatre at the actual W1A to see John Cooper Clarke

So that's all good!!  Home late with a certain amount of stress but a lovely day out!