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Published: July 24th 2009
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FRENCH fries
Are these allowed in England? A quick lunch of fish&chips in a light rain before going to see the Tower. Final full day of vacation. We slept in a bit and then got going slowly because of residual exhaustion from yesterday’s late night. We had a breakfast of bagels and cereal and enjoyed the spacious house in the morning. Our final planned outing was to the Tower of London. Blue skies early in the morning turned gloomy, and rain began to fall just as our walk from the house to the Sloane Square underground station ended. It was still raining when we emerged from the underground at Tower Hill and we got pretty well soaked waiting in line to buy tickets. Skies cleared shortly thereafter and the kids enjoyed some fish & chips before we headed in to the Tower. Kids occasionally found themselves involuntarily drawn in to the remarkable history of the tower. Both kids were fascinated by the portcullis (heavy castle door which is raised and lowered using a winch system). They were disappointed that they couldn’t raise and lower it themselves, although when we later walked beneath the spiked bottom of the door, they saw the potential downside of allowing the visitors to operate it. We saved the viewing of the crown jewels for last and Andrew was
Tower of London
Photo by Lauren in the moat at the Tower of London. very excited to see the crowns and to understand the difference between rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds. Andrew particularly coveted a gold punch bowl which was large enough to bathe in. We saw the ceremonial maces and learned what one does with a coronation spoon and got some sense of the long line of monarchs. Afterwards we crossed the river on the impressive Tower Bridge and made our way back along the “Queen’s Walk” on the south bank. A fun walk, filled with interesting sights including a replica of the ship Sir Francis Drake used to defeat the Spanish Armada. Much more entertaining than expected - probably because neither John nor Sonia had ever walked along this particular portion of the south bank before and found it full of surprises. After the Tower Bridge, we sought out the London Bridge and the Millennium Bridge. “London Bridge” despite being the topic of the children’s song is really the most uninteresting bridge you could ever see - possibly because the current bridge is just a fill in for the Bridge that was in London between 1831 and 1960, which now resides in Lake Havasu, Arizona (??!) The Millennium Bridge is a modern
Tower Bridge
Shot from one of the tower walls, with Tower Bridge in the background foot bridge that we wanted to show the kids because we heard that it was featured in the newest Harry Potter film. (The kids are now able to see some scenes in the Harry Potter films as reminiscent of places they have recently been.) As you cross South-North it takes you straight towards the impressive St. Paul’s Cathedral which we admired from the outside but (much to the children’s relief) didn’t enter. Tube back to Sloane Square- dropped off our stuff at home then dinner at a nearby French brasserie with good entrees and great desserts. Home to unwind with a little movie and bed. Kids amused at daddy snoring on couch while they watched. Long trip home tomorrow to house with furniture in all the wrong places! Lauren is very much looking forward to seeing her “Nubber-Pants”, her “Cutie McCuter Pants” again (her pet names for Onyx), whom she has been missing very much.
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