So we had spent the first day of our London Pass and still had many more activities on our schedule. We decided to spend Weds at the Tower of London and Tower Bridge located up the Thames river in the area known as The City. After breakfast and our train ride back into London, we boarded a boat for a brief tour up the river to the Tower of London. Seems like we always run into an American or two. Allison and I sat next to a very nice gentleman from Louisiana sightseeing with his adult son(the adult son decided to take a quick trip to Scotland, just so he could say he went there). We very much enjoyed our educational and brief boat trip up the Thames to the Tower of London.
This castle built in 1066 is right on the Thames and was used as a prison for some very famous London residents, as well as the guard house for the crown jewels. We joined a tour already in progress to learn all about King Henry VIII's first wife and how he had her executed at the Tower(and how they cut off people's heads and placed the criminal's heads on stakes dipped in oil which they posted while on fire along the one bridge into town to keep out any riff raff). Gross. They also used to bring the prisoners into the castle through a gate off the river by boat after sentencing them downriver at Parliament. We toured the many rooms after our tour including the chapel(for funerals mostly), the White Tower that houses suits of armor and weapons, including the suit of armor worn by Henry VIII(quite large for the time) and even suits of armor for the horses. We viewed the crowns worn during coronations of Kings and Queens with incredibly large jewels(no photos allowed), and finally said hello to the Ravens that live in the Tower of London. Legend has it that if any of the 6 Ravens leave the grounds, that London will fall. The guards stationed there or Yeomen/BeefEaters are to keep the Ravens safe, guard the castle(and give tours). Usually retired military personnel. The castle was also home to a zoo at one time.
We had a great time wandering around the buildings and soaking in all the history, and then headed across the river via the Tower of London Bridge. We also had a London Pass to enter the elevator that takes you up to the cross walk at the top of the bridge. They actually have a glass floor so you can see down to the river and the road below. Quite a view up there! And fascinating to see how the bridge was built starting in 1894 with steam powered bascules(arms) that lift the bridge to allow large ships to pass under.
On the other side we stopped into lunch at another very old pub, The Fishermans Wharf. A favorite of historical writers such as Shakespeare. The rebuilt Globe theater was next door. Allison and I wanted to tour the place and maybe take in a play. But the tours were only in the morning since the plays were scheduled in the afternoon and late evening so we could not go in. For only 5 pounds(about 7 bucks) you can stand in the center of the theater, no roof over your head and watch a Shakespeare play for two hours. For a whole lot more, you could sit on a very uncomfortable wooden bench in the round. Just like in Shakespeare's day. We decided to skip it. But Tom and I took a quick trip up the elevators into The Shard building with our London Pass(the kids were pooped out). The tallest building in London at 800 feet, it has an open sky deck on Level 72 with incredible, 40 mile views of London on a clear day. We had a beautiful clear day and loved visiting the top with the open roof and bar where they serve strawberries and champagne. We skipped the bar and just marveled at the expanse of London and all its historical as well as modern architecture. We then headed down and walked back along the river, across another foot bridge towards St Paul's Cathedral(where Diana and Prince Charles were married). St Paul's cathedral was rebuilt after the great London Fire in 1666 and looks very similar to the Vatican in Rome. It was getting late and everyone was off work in London, hanging outside in the streets at the pubs. We decided to skip the St Paul's Cathedral tour and instead stopped into a local pub, The Punch for dinner and to wait to visit with one of Allison's friends from GS camp. Many girls from England travel overseas to work at the GS summer camp and we met up with Nicole for dinner after she got off work. The girls had a lot of fun catching up while we ate, and then said goodbye as we walked up Fleet Street(also known for the legendary murderer Sweeny Todd the Barber of Fleet Street), to another very old pub, The Olde Cheshire Cheese Shop. This pub was down a side alley, very dark and very cozy and had seen many famous authors and artists in its past. It was so cozy we sat and chatted with a few young men out having a beer after work, discussing differences between the US and England. It was so much fun. Scott was amazed how friendly and comfortable the pub people were and how chatty. I guess beer will do that to you! We headed back to our train station and the sun was just setting around 9:30 at night. We did not realize how light it stayed during the day which made it even better when we were out traveling. Another great day thanks to our London Pass.
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