Cheerio ya'll!! Our day started with a great breakfast here at the B&B. Eggs, bacon, and toast. Very English you think?! We took your advice, Lin. We walked to the Big Bus Tour office and purchased tickets to see the sights from the top of a hop-on /hop-off traditional double decker bus. While we were talking to the English lady behind the counter, she asked if we had jackets with us. Of course, we didn't but it was a beautiful morning in the lower 50s with the sun shining brightly. Who needed a jacket?! She indicated that we would! English weather can be deceiving. She also indicated that if we went to the Tower of London, we would need at least 3 hours. So we took her advice and went back to grab a jacket thinking we would end up carrying the dang things by lunch! Lo and behold, as soon as we got on the bus...the jackets were very welcome items! In fact, we never took them off the rest of the day. We saw loads of places, but our main target for the day was the Tower and the Jewels! We also thought we could catch a couple of smaller attractions in the afternoon.
During our ride, the tour guide on the bus shared yet some more British vocabulary with us. Word for day is "dodgey" meaning something unstable, uncertain, or shady in character. The saying of the day is "One more for the road". This saying came from the practice of allowing prisoners on their way to the gallows 1 pint of ale before going down the road to the gallows and their certain death. Puts a whole new light on drinking and driving doesn't it!? We were diverted through a different route due to traffic congestion but this time luck was on our side! We actually got to see the horse guards that protect Buckingham Palace parade down the street and arrive back at St James Palace. Very cool! We arrived at the Tower and hopped off the bus....once it had stopped rolling. We had not realized that the Tower of London wasn't just one tower...it is really a series of buildings within double walls. We figured we better grab a bit of lunch before crossing over the drawbridge into the Tower. We treated ourselves to traditional fish and chips! Yum, but a bit greasy.,
Once we crossed the drawbridge that many royals and commoners had crossed to certain imprisonment and/or death, we were lost in the history and legacy of a much harsher British life. With the help of the audio guide headsets, we trapsed up and down various levels of living chambers, torture chambers, vaults, dungeons and prison cells. Before we knew it, we had been at the Tower over 3 1/2 hours! But ladies! Those jewels and gold adornments are awesome! One crown has a single white diamond with 530 carats!! We did have a chance to see the stone-faced, red-coated, bear-skin hatted guards standing guard over the private residence of director of the Tower facility and over the building containing the Crown Jewels. (We got some video of one in action that we will post to the blog.) They don't smile, move without precision movement or even sweat! BORING job!!
Also we learned during our visit that legend has it if the Ravens (the real birds) ever leave the Tower, the kingdom and the Tower fortress would fall. So just in case, the Ravenmaster keeps a close eye on the resident ravens. (Let's just say they are a big as a small domestic turkey!! Suckers couldn't fly off if they wanted too! Too dang big!)
Once we wandered back out to the street, we hopped back on the Big Bus Tour bus and rode our way back through the later part of London toward our hotel. So now we are enjoying our afternoon tea and crumbets ...and resting our feet. Later we are off to the Apollo-Victoria theater for an evening performance of Wicked!
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