London, as everyone knows, is a big, bustling multicultural city. Nowhere is this more evident than on the London Underground, also known as The Tube. We spent a fair bit of time today going from place to place. Apparently people really like to run for the next train here, even though the trains come by every few minutes...
The dual main attractions today were the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. First up was the Tower, which really isn't a tower at all - it is actually a castle. The stories of bloody executions are many as were the various uses for the Tower over the years. The Tower has been a mint, an army barracks, the home for the Crown Jewels and royal regalia and of course a prison. Many people, including 3 of King Henry VIII's wives and a few bishops have parted ways with their heads on the small 'green' inside the castle walls. We had an excellent guided tour with Yeoman Warder Bob Laughlin, a 36 year veteren of Her Majesty's armed forces before joining the Beefeater ranks.
After a nice lunch we were off to Westminster Abbey. I'll spare you the historical detail but this place is OLD! Originally built by Edward The Confessor before the arrival of the Normans in 1066, the Abbey has seen the crowning of every King and Queen since. A virtual Who's Who of London's religious, royal and artistic worlds are buried here. We were able to see the graves of many kings and queens including Edward I (fans of Braveheart will remember him as Longshanks, the Hammer of the Scots), Richard III, Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Queen during the time of Shakespeare. We also visited Poet's Corner, home to the graves of C.S. Lewis, Frederick Handel, Charles Dickens, Geoffrey Chaucer and many others. Unfortunately no photography is allowed inside the Abbey.
After our adventures we ended up at Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant where we all enjoyed excellent meals. Tomorrow it is off to the Cotswolds!
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