Dragon over London...

[Steve]

Steve replies to Geoff:

A appreciate the reply, as I appreciate all of your thoughtful posts, I did make a futile attempt to indicate that even though I was moving from East to West, the river itself moves from WEST TO EAST. I went something like this -

"As the river enters the city (actually ***exist***) from the east..."

Which of course make no sense because it should have said 'Exits', not 'exist'. 

I was going from east to west because starting in the east has the most recognizable feature of the river, a huge triple-loop "S" shaped bending of the river. Just beyond, to the west of that big "S", the river flattens out on an east/west line, then turns south again (moving east to west, though in reality, as you are trying to point out, based on the flow of the river, rather than turning south it turns north). Then at Battersea Park, the river again flattens out on an east/west line. 

None the less on the North/South section of the river, that is where the London Eye (south/east bank) and the many iconic government buildings (north/west bank) are. And that is the section of the river we see in the movie. But a section of the river that makes no sense if flying by dragon to the north. As you point out, to have that view of the river, they would have to be flying south/west, which is completely wrong. In fact, to fly north to the Lake District, you would have no more than a distant view of the river behind you. 

I wasn't trying to contradict you, simply trying to help create a visual picture of what the area in question looked like. Though I quick visit to Google Maps would do wonders. 

Again, I think it is merely an attempt by the movie makers to find an iconic shot of London from the air. If the flying shot had simply shown the city to the north, there would have been nothing recognizable to anyone but a Londoner. 

My final correction is that I said "Westminster Place" when, of course, I meant 'PALACE of Westminster'. 

Again, I wasn't trying to contradict you, just trying to expand on your point. 

Between the two of us, those not inclined to go to Google Maps, should have a reasonably good mental picture of what the area looks like. 

Steve/bboyminn