Wren's London: Royal Hospital Chelsea...

...i'll start by saying out out respect for the residents of this building i'll be keeping my witticisms to a minimum today.

The RCH is a retirement home and nursing home for British soldiers, from where we get the term Chelsea Pensioners. The Hospital was founded by King Charles II in 1682 as a retreat for veterans of the regular army who had become unfit for duty, either after 20 year's service or as a result of wounds, a statue of the King sits in the grounds main courtyard.

The hospital has a Latin inscription on the colonnade of it main courtyard that reads in English "For the succour and relief of veterans broken by Age and War founded by Charles II enlarged by James II and completed by William and Mary in the Year of our Lord 1692"

To be considered for admission as an in-pensioner, a candidate must be:

A former non-commissioned officer or soldier of the British Army (Commissioned Officers are eligible provided they served for at least 12 years of non-commissioned service or if they have been awarded a War Disability Pension while serving in the ranks)

In receipt of an Army Service or War Disability Pension

65 years of age or over (this may be waived if a candidate is suffering from a seriously disabling, incurable but not immediately life-threatening condition requiring long-term care)

Free from the obligation to support a spouse, partner or family

In March 2009 the first women in the Hospital's 317 yearhistory were admitted as In-Pensioners. Dorothy Hughes (aged 85) was the first, soon followed by Winifred Phillips (aged 82).

Since 1913 the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been held annually on the South Grounds.

Back to normal now...

I have to say that the pensioners were extremely nice to me especially as I think that I may have been trespassing on the part where I got this photo from.

I got myself a nice new lens yesterday (happy) can't wait to play with it.

Last but not least...QPR won last night (hooray) just wanted to share that with you all.

Thanks you all for yesterday's nice comments about my disappointing photo yesterday, this one is much nicer so feel free to say even nicer things about it.

Have a good evening all x enjoy it