After the tour we went to climb the 582 steps to the top of the church. Yes, it is long climb but the distance is not half of it. First, there is a long climb on a nice spacious spiral staircase. This gets you to the lower part of the large central dome. There choir was signing and the organ playing and it was exceptionally beautiful from high in the dome.
After this the stairs were very narrow. Soon we were climbing a metal, free-standing spiral stairs. Don't look down! My fear of heights is bringing to work on me. After several more narrow passages, we find our selves on a balcony on the side of the cupola at the top of the dome. The space for people to stand is perhaps 3 or 4 feet wide. The is thankfully a nice, sturdy rail about us. This is a good thing since the wind is blowing pretty hard up here. Now my irrational fear feels like a it has me by the throat. I'm not ready to run screaming, but my every move is constrained. If I lean against the wall and hold the rail, I can just manage to use my free hand to snap a few photos and not throw up.
We had a beautiful day for the visit. Lots of romantic clouds and sunshine. In the first photo above you can see the view towards London Bridge and the Shard. Just above is a view to the west where you can see the Eye.
To the east is the Gherkin the cheese grater and , just at the edge on the right is walkie-talkie.
Tremendous views. White knuckles.
Coming back down was, if anything, a bigger challenge. Now I'm tired from the climb up, my adrenalin is going full blast, and you can't not look down when going down the open metal stairs. By the time I got to the ground outside the church, I pretty wobbly.
I'm glad I did it. I glad it is over. I don't need to do that again.
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