Day 2... More London

We had a FULL day ahead... 3 outings back to back! We loaded onto a bus with other folks from our hotel and started with a "Morning Sightseeing Tour". Our guide was named Carlotta and she had a beautiful British accent with a wicked sense of humor. We drove through the city and saw several "burroughs", doubledecker buses, little black taxis and beautiful homes. Then we went to St. Paul's Cathedral. Trust me, it was amazing... no photos inside were allowed.

After St. Paul's, we headed to Buckingham Palace to watch a British tradition... the Changing of the Guard. This is done daily as the military guard changes shifts every day. In very typical English style, it is all about the pomp, military precision and ceremony. Plus, the Band Geek in me loves a good parade!

When our tour ended we only had a short break for lunch so we headed over to a little sandwich shop by the hotel. We quickly ate and then meet a different group (same tour guide) for our next outing- the Tower of London and The Crown Jewels. Trust me... the jewels were amazing- no photos again.

 

While we were visiting the Tower, we saw an very interesting ceremony called the "Guarding of the Word". Basically, soldiers stationed at the Tower were given a curfew to be back at post every night. Only those allowed to come home after curfew were given a secret word. That word was to be recited at the front gate and it would grant them access. So, every day, a small number of soldiers march down to the front gate and one member gets the word. Then they return to their post. Its an odd thing to us but something they take very seriously.

You can distinguish the superior office because he has the taller hat... no joke.

It was VERY warm that day, so as we explored the grounds of the Tower we took a break for some really yummy ice cream. We loved the cones... what a fun way to have two different flavors!

Once that outing was over, we returned to the hotel and had time for a quick change. Then we were on to the "Taste of London" outing. The evening began with dinner at a local pub. It was called Ye Old Cock and calls itself the skinnest pub in London. It was pretty small in width!!  Surprise, surprise... I had fish 'n' chips. Brad chose a very YUMMY steak pie. We would think of is as a pot pie and Brad really enjoyed it.

 

Wow- I look really tired...

 

After dinner, we boarded a boat and enjoyed a night cruise along the River Thames. We got to see the city of London a night including Parliment, Big Ben and the London Eye. It was gorgeous... unfortunately, our little point-and-shoot cameras couldn't do it justice.

After a wonderful evening, we returned to the hotel exhausted. It was off to bed because the next morning we had to be packed up and ready to go. We had an early departure to cross the English Channel and finally meet our tour group for the rest of our trip.