Tower of London

Today we got up at 8 and went downstairs for one of Kathleen's great breakfasts. Randy had a cooked breakfast (what they call bacon looks like thin ham slices) and I had some of that great muslix cereal, toast and tea. Around 10 we left and went to the Tower of London. The most recognizable part of the Tower is the White Tower, named for the big square section seamed with white bricks. 

From the River Thames, a section of old Roman wall near the Tower can been seen.

Most of the corner towers are square, but one is round.

We took a guided tour, which was pretty interesting. John was the Yeoman Warder and our Tour Guide today. We were taken into the chapel that is used by the Warders, where Queen Anne and others were buried. When the chapel was renovated awhile ago, they found that 1,500 people had been buried there. Most were reburied elsewhere, except a few that were buried under the chapel alter. 

John told us the Ravens, and the legend that there must always be Ravens at the Tower or England will fall. To prevent this, they keep tame Ravens here, spoil them rotten and clip one of their flight feathers. The Raven houses are backed up against one of the walls.

Traitor's Gate was particularly interesting to me. I have read so much about Henry VIII, and Traitor's Gate. Anne Boleyn, Thomas More and Princess Elizabeth all came to the Tower via this gate, and by its very  name, that was not a good omen. 

After the tour we went to see the crown jewels and a display of diamonds and crowns that are no longer used. Imagine having more diamonds and crowns than you can use! We went through the armory and the Tower chapel, then snacked on peanuts and water until we left, around 3 pm. By 5:oo we were at the Hard Rock Cafe, having a pig sandwich (aka pulled pork) and a steak sandwich. The food was OK but Hard Rock is definitely overpriced now. However, we bought souvenir t-shirts for Jeff H. and Shirley Richert. 

After we left the Tower we walked a long way in a light sprinkle to Kensington Palace, which unfortunately was closed to visitors. 

So we went back to Duke's Bar and got a sandwich, which we ate while walking around Soho, checking out the stores, including a really great pinball/game store. We went back to Clapham North and went to a pub for a drink, and were home by 9.