Leadenhall Market dates from about the 14th century, although this luxurious architecture was erected in 1881.
The hustle and bustle of markets such as that at Camden is missing from this, which is more like a classy arcade.
The beautifully designed architecture of the 1881 version of Leadenhall market provided a lovely subject for Gary's photographic interests.
Having started out as a market for meat, cheese, fish, and other foodstuffs,
this Leadenhall market is more a meeting place for London trendies who
enjoy watching the world go by, over their cafe lattes and fine wines.
There was one flower stall in the Leadenhall market, while all the rest of the sales areas were within actual shops, selling clothing (e.g., specialising in ties, or scarves, or hats), fine eating andrefreshments of various kinds).
As we walked from Leadenhall market back to the Monument tube station, we passed 20 Fenchurch Street, one of the modern notable architectural delights that has been nicknamed the 'walkie talkie'.
Also between Leadenhall market and Monument tube station we suddenly saw the 'Shard' in a misty sky beyond much older buildings.
Gary is very interested in the use to which stainless steel has been put in modern architecture, and so was delighted to suddenly be confronted by walls reflecting other colours as we passed down a laneway.
The Monument can be seen at the entrance to Monument tube station, in remembrance of the Great Fire of London of September 1666. Starting in a bakery in Pudding Lane, it burnt 13,200 houses, 87 churches, and St Paul's Cathedral, in three days of continuous burning, destroying all of the old City of London.
