Big Ben's back in Britain after five-year restoration
After a five-year restoration project, the world-famous Big Ben bell towering above Britain's Houses of Parliament is resuming daily operations and will be permanently reconnected from Remembrance Sunday.
Getting up close to Big Ben requires earplugs, and ear defenders over them to be safe. When the 13.7-tonne bell sounds, the vibration hits you in the chest.
After a five-year restoration project, the world-famous ringer is back with a bong.
The Great Clock towering above Britain's Houses of Parliament is resuming daily operations following the painstaking renovation of more than 1,000 moving parts.
When the clock's five cast-iron bells including Big Ben fell silent in 2017, a mournful crowd of parliamentarians and staff gathered below. Some shed tears.
Atop the 96-metre Elizabeth Tower is the belfry housing the bells -- protected by exterior netting to keep out bats and pigeons.
Beyond lie some of London's most spectacular vistas.
The Elizabeth Tower, previously called the Clock Tower, was renamed in 2012 to honour the late queen's Diamond Jubilee.
The five-year restoration involved cleaning and repainting each of the five bells' hammers and arms.
In past years before the renovation, parliament's timekeepers would benchmark the Great Clock's time against the telephone speaking clock.
Now, it is calibrated by GPS via Britain's National Physical Laboratory.
Big Ben bongs seven times, setting off a bass vibrato in the gantry around it.
