Steven is a local guy and we bumped into several people who know him, including his sister and baby niece. We went back to the office where I hung out for a few minutes and chatted with both them and Sandy before leaving. I took no photos because I wouldn't want someone to visit me at work and take photos!
I headed back to the tube and decided that I'd go to the Tower of London. Last time, Raine and I got there too late to go in and all we got were some outside photos and the back of a Beafeater...lol. Again, got to jump the ticket lines thanks to my London Pass. It was a bit mobbed and late in the day, so I decided to head to Martin Tower first to see the Crown Jewels.
I got into the seemingly neverending line that, surprisingly, moved fairly quickly. Also cool to see...a gaggle of Yeoman Warders (A.K.A Beefeaters) while I waited in the line.
Yes, that is the line behind them. Understandably, there is no photography in the tower where the Crown Jewels are. The room that actually holds the jewels has everything in a row of glass cases with people mover conveyor belts on each side. I went back and rode it twice, once from each side...LOL.
After I left that tower and the gift shop, I headed over to the White Tower (it used to be whitewashed).
This is the White Tower with a bit of the old Roman Wall in front of it and the Martin Tower behind. Most recently, the White Tower was used as an armory. It now functions as a museum
This is the other side of the White Tower, which was actually completed around 1100 and once loomed over the whole of London.
. I found this to be the most impressive suit of armor I'd ever seen. It belonged to Henry VIII.
I particularly enjoyed this dragon. They were playing growling dragon noises in the room.
I had to share. If you can't tell what this is...I worry.
Leaving the White Tower involved descending the longest circular staircase I've ever been on. The prize at the end was the gift shop. More souvenirs were purchased.
I then headed out to the green to meet the famous Ravens.
Apparently, they mix well with the Pigeons and have their own guard (look to the back of the Green).
Also on the green is a memorial to those who were executed here,. including Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, and Lady Jane Gray
Behind this memorial is the Chapel where many of them are buried (including Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Gray)
This is the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula. It is also lovely inside and I was able to find the grave of Anne Boleyn. Photos were not permitted.
At this point, things were winding down and the Towers were all being closed up. I wandered back to the entrance area and found The Traitors Gate.
Last time I was here, I took a picture of the other side of the gate. You didn't want to enter the Tower by this gate because you probably would never leave alive.
I then exited the tower and wandered down the path next to the Thames. I got a mango sorbet from a vendor and took a photo for a nice family who wanted a picture of Tower bridge behind them.
After a bit of a walk, and a Starbucks Frappuchino, I headed back to the tube. Stopped off at King's road, to check out one of the main shopping meccas of this city. It was late and most of the shops were closed, but I did manage to Locate a Lush before they locked up and I dropped some change there. Back to the Tube and Paddington.
Stopped at Marks and Spencers for some pre-prepared dinner. It was a pasta, chicken and mushroom thing that was much better than last night's pasta.
Tonight was laundry night, which was an adventure. Took me awhile to figure out the controls on the washer...then I found out that the dryer cycle takes two hours. Good grief...it's now tomorrow and laundry is finally done.
It was actually pretty hot today and this place is not air conditioned so I had to take a shower before bed. It is quite late, but I smell good because I used some of my new Lush soap.
Off to try to get some sleep. Tomorrow I think we'll visit the British Museum. Gotta see some mummies!
Stopped at Marks and Spencers for some pre-prepared dinner. It was a pasta, chicken and mushroom thing that was much better than last night's pasta.
Tonight was laundry night, which was an adventure. Took me awhile to figure out the controls on the washer...then I found out that the dryer cycle takes two hours. Good grief...it's now tomorrow and laundry is finally done.
It was actually pretty hot today and this place is not air conditioned so I had to take a shower before bed. It is quite late, but I smell good because I used some of my new Lush soap.
Off to try to get some sleep. Tomorrow I think we'll visit the British Museum. Gotta see some mummies!
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