The Monument.

The Monument was built to commemorate the Great Fire of London and has been shut for the last 18months under going some serious restoration. It re-opened today, just in time for our visit to London and so we had to climb it.

The stairs are in a much better condition that the last time I climbed it. The viewing platform gives a wonderful view of the London skyline, and it is wonderful to be able to see the Golden Orb shining away in all it's newly gilded glory.

The large flowers on each corner of the underside of the viewing platform are 'new' - having been on the original and then taken down, I believe, after one fell off! These I'm assured are very firmly affixed.

Climbing 311 stairs in an ever decreasing tower is great fun - the returning journey is a little more hairy.

NB - I'm now informed that the Monument leans a little.