So nice waking up to the smell of bacon cooking. The breakfast room was very pleasant and they cooked our breakfast for us as we came in.
At the entrance to the breakfast room at the Parkwood Bed & Breakfast where we're staying in London, Tom & I found these two guys and, you know me, I had to take their pictures.
We are visiting Westminster Abbey today. We have to take the subway.
Here is an escalator we went on. See how steep it is. But I'm happy we don't have to walk down all these steps!
Westminster Abbey ----- such an awesome building. This is the nation's Coronation Church where Queen Elizabeth was crowned. It's also where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married. But it also the burial and memorial place for many historical people.
We were only allowed to take a couple of pictures inside. No photography.
We did an audio tour of this magnificent church. So much history here. But it is still a working church. There are daily services. While we were there, it was announced over a microphone that they will stop for prayer and asked people to pause to pray. It lasted for a minute. They do this every hour. It was very interesting going through all the areas of the church while listening on a hand-held "phone". Everyone just moved along and it was quite quiet because people were listening to their own audio device. I was surprised at all the people buried here and the elaborate monuments. Charles Dickens, Robert Browning and Laurence Olivier are buried here as well as kings and queens. It was a very interesting tour, and the inside of the church was amazing.
This is a painting of the Queen commemorating her 60th anniversary. It is a very large framed painting 9ft x 11 ft. which is at Westminster Abbey until the end of September.
Hallway at Westminster Abbey
Time to go on Thames River Boat Cruise
Sandy, Tom & I, on the boat. See the "London Eye" ride in the background.
Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) from the boat.
View of Tower Bridge..... so impressive.
Tower of London, is a historic castle. It is in this complex where the Crown Jewels are displayed.
After our boat cruise we went to explore the Tower of London.
This is the entrance gate to the Tower of London
Once inside we joined this group led by a "Beefeater" who was quite the teller of stories. He was most interesting and entertaining.
This is the Bloody Tower. It got it's name because it is believed that the Princes in the Tower were murdered by their uncle, who was supposed to be caring for them until they were old enough to reign.
We got to see the changing of the guards at the Tower. Pretty neat.
Here Sandy & Tom are in line to see the Crown Jewels.
Before we left I got my picture taken with a "Beefeater". Someone in the group asked him where the name "beefeater" came from. He didn't really have a definite answer, but they are guardians of the Tower of London.
We walked over to look at the Tower Bridge and had our picture taken. A lady there mentioned that the bridge was supposed to be opening at 5 p.m., so we waited the few minutes to watch.
Opening for a tall sail boat coming through. So cool.
It was so neat to see the bridge open. We just happened to be at the right place at the right time.
Next we went to Mass at Westminster Cathedral, next to Westminster Abbey.
Tom & I in front of the church. It's a huge church, like all churches in Europe.
Inside the church. So beautiful. A Mass in English! Yeah!
An unusual picture of my favourite Saint, St. Theresa, inside the church.
On to dinner. We ate at this awesome English pub - "The Shakespeare"
Toasting to London. I had fish & chips with "mushy peas". (that's the green stuff on my plate) I had a choice of peas or mushy peas. First time for everything. They were good. In Europe, you aren't served water at your table. If you want water, you have to order it and you have to pay for it. Also their water is carbonated, so if you want regular water, you have to order "no gas". Interesting.
Sandy & Michael toasting London. Food was very good here. Quite noisy -- it was a very popular pub for young people.
Without being too obvious, Michael tried to get a picture of the girl with the bright pink hair in pony tails. (behind Tom)
Returning to our hotel after a wonderful, full day in London.
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