Sunday
Up, shower, breakfast, and tube back to Westminster Abbey for Sunday morning Matins service. We sat in the Quire (choir), amidst the boys/men choir. Very special service, entirely sung. A NT and OT reading, a sermon, prayer, and music. Congregation sang 2 hymns, the choir sang the others. The mass was followed by a service of the Holy Eucharist.
After church, we tubed to Tower of London (entrance fee: £9), still one of the royal palaces, although no monarch since Henry VIII has called it home. This is where the history of London comes alive. The oldest part of the Tower, White Tower, was built in 1078 by William the Conqueror. The complex is complete with moat, executioner's block (Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey met their end here, 2 of only 7 to do so), and weapons and armor dating from Saxon and Viking times. The best part of our visit here was the most delightful Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour. They are so much fun, those Beefeaters! (Beefeater's have been "guarding" the Tower since Henry VII appointed them in 1485.) It was such a history lesson, and so interesting. The highlight for me were the crown jewels, of course, and we did take the advice of many and went back through the moving line several times. The jewels sparkled with amazing sharpness, thanks to special laser lighting. (I think I'd like a crown!) The Tower of London is a must see, in my opinion. But again, brush up on your kings and queens for added insight, and mind that most of the tour is outdoors, so dress appropriately.
After touring the Tower, we decided to catch a bite to eat at a nice area pub, Liberty Bounds. I ordered a chicken pie which was very, very good. I wanted to try their apple-blackberry pie with warm custard for dessert (it was cold and gray and windy outside) and had to have tea with it. The bartender (pubtender?) handed me a little round tray with the cutest little white china teapot, teacup, sugar and creamer! Tea in pubs is fun!
We then headed back over to to St. Paul's for a free organ concert we heard about. It was a short, 30-minute recital which was, to say the least, awful. No mind, I was able to gaze up at the Dome for another 30 minutes!
In for the evening at the hotel, we started the daunting task of packing for our flight home the next morning. Boo hoo.
Tuesday - The Night Before
Wednesday - Departure
Thursday - London
Friday - London
Saturday - London
Sunday - London
Monday - The Trip Home
Notes, Travel Tips, Memories
