Day 6

Sunday, July 16, breakfast was at 6:30am because our buses to London were to leave at 7:00. We got into London about 9:30 and the bus let us out close to Westminster Abbey. We walked over the Thames right by Big Ben and the House of Parliament to the Eye, a big ferris wheel. The buses picked us up there and transported us to St. Paul's Cathedral. We arrived as the service was starting. The building is massive and the music of the service, coupled with the beauty of the building was almost overwhelming. The whole ambiance of the place is awe-inspiring.

If I could name one particular thing in my entire trip that I wouldn't have missed, this service at St. Paul's would be it.

I think the bus let us out at Trafalgar Square, which is where the National Gallery is located. A few of us ate lunch in the Gallery's lunch room. they had very good sandwiches and deserts. We took the tube (subway) to the Tower of London. the line was pretty long, but when we got in we were herded around and guided by one of the Royal Guard. Our particular guide was also in charge of taking care of the ravens at the Tower of London. The Tower of London is actually a little walled in city where the royalty formerly lived. A couple of Henry VIII wives were executed there, plus one of his wife's honeymoon home was constructed there...Lots of history at this place. It was getting late and I wanted to see more of London than to just stand in the queue to view the crown jewels.

I departed via tube to Westminster Abbey, where I was hoping I could catch a service. Rats! I just missed the last one. I walked to St. James park then down to Buckingham Palace. I saw the guards, but missed the changing of the guard...Rats! I had learned earlier that Harrod's, the world famous department store was closed on Sundays...Rats!

It was getting pretty late, so I started walking toward Victoria Station, which is fairly close to Sloan Square, the place where the busses were to pick us up. I was hungry and needed a bathroom. I decided to sample the cuisine at the Victoria Station Burger King. Pretty much the same double meat whopper with cheese and large coke that you get in the states. About the same price too. I walked down to Sloane Square, and sure enough, there were many of the others already waiting for the buses. The busses were about 30 minutes late, so we departed London about 7:30 and arrived back at Hartpury about 10:30 or 11:00.

End Day 6