Day Two
A quick jaunt through Portobello Road Market turned up some interesting antique stores, and a quaint café for brunch. Amy and I had planned to do the "touristy" things and we headed to the Tower of London. Vicki, on the other hand, had been to London previously and decided to visit some of the city's historic churches, including St. Bartholomew's and St. Etheldreda's.
The Tower of London is famous for its bloody executions and for being the keeper of the Crown Jewels. Of course, it is also the home of the Yeoman Warders (yes, the "Beefeaters" as most of the world calls them).
There was once a moat surrounding the Tower, but that has since been drained and planted with grass. As you make your way onto the Tower grounds, you'll cross the drawbridge and pass under the heavy iron portcullis that used to keep ruffians out and criminals in.
A tour of the Tower grounds will bring you past Traitor's Gate, the White Tower, the Execution Site (where Lady Jane Grey, Catherine Howard and Anne Boleyn each lost their heads) and the Bloody Tower (where Sir Walter Raleigh was imprisoned for 13 years). And, of course, no one visits the Tower without taking a peek at the Crown Jewels. Just remember, you are not allowed to photograph them. Any attempt to do so will meet with tragic consequences. The guards wouldn't explain what exactly those consequences would be so it may be better left unknown...
While on the Tower grounds, you will also see the crows that keep the Kingdom from falling into disaster. Legend has it that, if these birds were to leave the Tower, the monarchy would collapse. To stay on the safe side, the wings of these famous crows are clipped and there's always a spare bird or two in residence.
From the Tower grounds, you can see...
Contrary to popular misconception, this world famous bridge is not called London Bridge, but Tower Bridge. You can't tell from the photo, but the tower supports are painted bright baby blue! For some terribly expensive amount, you can pay for the "Tower Bridge Experience". I opted to forego the experience. And, yes, there really is a London Bridge - located west on the Thames.
After the Tower, we traipsed over to look admiringly at Westminster Abbey. We revisit the Abbey another day when we have time to view the inside.
It was later than we anticipated, and we didn't have much time left until we met up with Vicki. Amy and I quickly made our way to Buckingham Palace, or as the English know it, Buck House. It was too dark to take decent photos, and frankly I was disappointed. It looked like a big building behind gates, not at all like I had imagined it to be.
Amy and I took a taxi back to Trafalgar Square to meet up with Vicki. We walked through Covent Garden, looking for a place to eat. After dinner, the three of us walked past Piccadilly Circus, through St. James Park to Buck House. It didn't look any better in the dark of night. And that ended my second day in England.