London walk 1 - Buckingham Palace and the parks

I have decided to do walks around London when I am free. The first walk was around Buckingham Palace and St. James's park, starting at Trafalgar square. I came come into the mall through The Admiralty Arch entering from Trafalgar Square. Normally the Mall is open for traffic but this morning it was open for pedestrians only, even though it was not Sunday (it's apparently closed for traffic on Sundays).

The Mall walking towards Buckingham Palace

Guarding

Buckingham Palace in all its pride

One of the best things with London is its park. Here is Green Park

St James's Park is one of my favourite parks in London. The park is stretching along the Mall, from Buckingham Palace almost up to Trafalgar Square and on the other side almost to Westminster and Victoria. 

Kids feeding the birds in St James's Park

Pelicans? In Green Park!? Have seen them there before so they must be permanent!

Resting swan

Still autumn in St James's Park

I love the colours during fall and St James's Park near Buckingham Palace in London is one of my favourite park. What better place to see the colours fade away for this time as the park turns into winter mode.

Breathtaking view

Masha and Gaya in front of London Eye

Buckingham Palace

Green Park about to lose the autumn

Camera: Canon 5D, Lenses: Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L

Vyshyvanka Mega March

Apart from the Champions League and the first sun in a while, London saw the Vyshyvanka Mega March, which celebrates Ukrainian culture, this bank holiday weekend. Vyshyvanka is the traditional Ukrainian clothing which contains Ukrainian ethnic embroidery (the shirts that everyone wears). After gathering at Trafalgar Square to sing the Ukrainian national anthem the crowd (we estimate 100-200 people) marched via the Mall to Buckingham Palace for a photo shoot. Lots of kids. Lots of colours. Lots of happiness. Very pretty. 

Ukrainian kids leading the singing. 

Tired. And the march hasn't even started yet. 

Flowers.

Laughter.

Photographers.

Outside Buckingham Palace

Setting up the photo shoot

Waiting eagerly to get shot

Ambassador Volodymyr Khandohiy

Mmm, candy

Playing

All done. Maria resting in the grass.

Does it get more London than this?

I walked by Buckingham Palace yesterday and could not resist to take a picture of the iconic London figure - the Buckingham Palace Guard. Haven't seen the changing of the guard yet - I guess I should do at some point. Until then, these pictures will have to suffice!