Thursday, June 18, 2015 (Day 3)
London, England
Our first goal on Day Three of this trip is the historic Tower of London.
Before we got in, we had to wait a bit. Standing outside this ancient fortress one cannot be interested in the contrast between the old and the new.
As we walked to the Tower entrance, as is true in many parts of London, we could see something else altogether just as interesting.
A fact I learned on the tour is that the Tower of London was for awhile as much a public zoo as anything else. That heritage is represented by statutes of some of the more exotic beasts held there.
The Tower is as interesting inside as it is on the outside. The best thing to see is the Crown Jewels which you are not allowed to photograph. Denice and I made two loops around the jewels because they were just so darn interesting.
Then we were in the tube and on our way to Buckingham Palace.
Unfortunately, the Queen was not at home when we arrived and we missed the changing of the Guard.
The rest of the palace was not too shabby although they lost our reservation and therefore would not let us through the gate.
We grabbed some lunch around the Victoria Station and then did a bus tour with a cool guy named David. It did repeat some of the things we had seen yesterday but I though it was with a different perspective so it was OK with me.
I guess on this kind of trip you never know who you will run into.
Other people get to London on a different vehicle than we took.
Yes, this would be the Globe Theatre. Unfortunately, on a trip like this you cannot say, "Oh, look--there is the Globe and let's take in a show." But I sure wanted to.
This night we enjoyed an authentic fish and chips dinner at The Centre Page, formerly the Horn Tavern whose first recorded mention was in 1663.
Instead of seeing King John at the Globe, this night we are booked on a Jack the Ripper tour which for some folks was about Jack the Ripper...
Before we got in, we had to wait a bit. Standing outside this ancient fortress one cannot be interested in the contrast between the old and the new.
Sometimes a photograph can become something else when you get home. What does this next image remind you of?
As we walked to the Tower entrance, as is true in many parts of London, we could see something else altogether just as interesting.
A fact I learned on the tour is that the Tower of London was for awhile as much a public zoo as anything else. That heritage is represented by statutes of some of the more exotic beasts held there.
The Tower is as interesting inside as it is on the outside. The best thing to see is the Crown Jewels which you are not allowed to photograph. Denice and I made two loops around the jewels because they were just so darn interesting.
Then we were in the tube and on our way to Buckingham Palace.
Unfortunately, the Queen was not at home when we arrived and we missed the changing of the Guard.
The rest of the palace was not too shabby although they lost our reservation and therefore would not let us through the gate.
We grabbed some lunch around the Victoria Station and then did a bus tour with a cool guy named David. It did repeat some of the things we had seen yesterday but I though it was with a different perspective so it was OK with me.
I guess on this kind of trip you never know who you will run into.
Other people get to London on a different vehicle than we took.
Yes, this would be the Globe Theatre. Unfortunately, on a trip like this you cannot say, "Oh, look--there is the Globe and let's take in a show." But I sure wanted to.
This night we enjoyed an authentic fish and chips dinner at The Centre Page, formerly the Horn Tavern whose first recorded mention was in 1663.
Instead of seeing King John at the Globe, this night we are booked on a Jack the Ripper tour which for some folks was about Jack the Ripper...
...but for me it was about all the great street art we walked past.
For me, it is always about the
Friday, June 19, 2015 (Day 4)
London, England
Today we are on the bus and off to Bath where appropriately we are going to see the Roman Baths. Built in the 1st century for Roman tourists, it still attracts tourists like us in droves. No bathing allowed though.
Next up: Stonehenge. Words cannot describe the concept of standing at one of the oldest ruins in the world. Thinking about being there and who has walked before us was overwhelming.
Dinner tonight was at Fuller's Ale and Pie House where we were served fish and chips.
For me, the museum that accompanies the baths was more interesting than the baths themselves. The art was amazing as you can see.
Next up: Stonehenge. Words cannot describe the concept of standing at one of the oldest ruins in the world. Thinking about being there and who has walked before us was overwhelming.
Dinner tonight was at Fuller's Ale and Pie House where we were served fish and chips.
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