UK & Ireland - Summer 2006

Day 4 - St. Paul's Cathedral, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Chicago the Musical
As our last day in London the goal was to visit as many of the landmarks that remained on our list and make it back to the hotel to rest before going to an early dinner. We managed to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and then return to the hotel for a simple cup of tea. We had dinner at Rules, London’s oldest restaurant, with classic game on the menu including Venison, Grouse and Pheasant. From here we had to hurry to the Cambridge Theater to see the musical Chicago. Once again we were challenged in finding a cab at the end of the evening, but did manage to find a ride back to the hotel for our last night of sleep in England.

A Statue of Queen Anne at the entrance to St. Paul's Cathedral. The inscription on the statue Queen Anne and yet another clock. The West Porch of the Cathedral, which was build after the fire of 1666 by Christopher Wren. The pediment is carved to show the Conversion of St. Paul.
Chris, Brad and Tine discuss the plan for the day. June 27th is England's Veteran's Day, these men were Vets from the Korean War. They were happy to pose for a photograph, and a few were even heading to Washington DC in a few days to visit the Korean War Memorial. The two towers were added in 1707. Here you can just make out the dome for which the cathedral is known. It is one of the highest in the world at 360 feet.
Back at the Tower of London, this time to actually tour the fortress. A few horses out for a snack in the moat. As you can see the moat is no longer water filled. The Beauchamp Tower, were the important prisoners were held. The Bell Tower at the entrance to the fortress.
The Water Lane is where the Traitor's Gate is located. Chris at the entrance and the base of the Byward Tower. Wakefield Tower and Henry III's Watergate. The Traitor's Gate where prisoners entered the fortress. The stairs to St. Thomas's Tower.
Guards on duty with the White Tower beyond. Just another day of work. Above the archway is the Bloody Tower. Edward IV's sons were to have been held captive and murdered in 1483, so there Uncle, Richard III could be king. Looking into the inner section of the fortress from bellow the Bloody Tower. The Queen's House, it is still an offical residence at the fortress.
Melissa with the Tower Green and the Queen's House beyond. A view of the Tower Bridge from inside the Toewr of London. The crumbling wall is part of the older Inmost Ward that now connects with teh Wakefield Tower. Brad and Tina along the wall from the Tower Green. The intersection of one of the many towers and walls that make up the inner ring of the fortress.
Looking out onto the green from the Bloody Tower. A clear view of the Tower Bridge. One of the Ravens that are kept on the grounds. The legend is if the Ravens leave the the Tower the monarchy would fail. A very large gun - it may fall into the cannon category. Part of the White Tower in the center of the Tower of London.
Armor display in the White Tower This was one of the few buildings you are allowed to take photos in. More armor on display. The building itself was started in 1066. Samurai armor - a gift to the monarchy. More armor and such.
A display of rifles and pistols. Looking out of the White Tower to River Thames. The north entrance to Westminster Abbey. The view from the line to enter the Abbey - about 20 minutes long. Chris and Brad resting at St. Margaret's Church steps.
Melissa holding a place in line. The line, we clearly did not read the guidebook that said to arrive before 9:10 am to avoid the line. Another clock on the West Towers. The top of the London Eye from Parliament Square after the Abbey tour. Big Ben from Parliament Square.
The signs of London, Big Ben and a red double decker bus. Melissa at Parliament Square with Winston Churchill's World War II headquarters behind. Melissa trying to get a good photo of the Parliament building without the protestors. Victoria Tower, the opposite end of the Houses of Parliament. There they all are; Brad, Chris, Tina, the protestors, the buses and the Houses of Parliament.
Tina and Brad with Ben. Melissa and Chris with Ben. Melissa and Chris with a better shot of Ben. Victoria Tower. The view from the grass of Parliament Square, you can almost makeout the buildings that surround it.
Tina and Melissa rest on the grass of Parliament Sqaure with the Houses of Parliament to the left and St. Margaret's Church to the right.