Friday, March 20, 2009

Despite some confusion about our pre-paid ticket, we made it!! I’m typing this while sitting on a train traveling 187 miles an hour, we are seeing some of the country side in very comfortable accommodations, even if in steerage. Sounds like the Titanic but more upscale.

Checking into a very contemporary Hilton on Tooley Street, we freshen up and enjoy an American-style breakfast in the Executive Lounge. They also have an open bus tour which will take us to all the places we want to see. But first, the Tower Bridge with two towers. It is next to the Tower of London. Built in the 12th century, this is where Kings held their wives, Henry VIII had several of his wives beheaded here and Sir Walter Raleigh was held imprisoned for 40 years and wrote the History of the World; pretty ambitious. Torture devices were displayed along with the Jewels of the Crown. An incredible display of several hundred years of the monarchs. Highlight? The Beefeaters walking tour through the acres, did you know you have to have 22 years in the Royal Military before being considered for a tour as a beefeater (guardian of the royal jewels)?

A quick ride on the bus took us to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Cathedral – built about 100 years later than Notre Dame. We were in luck. 6pm and Evening song was performed by the Westminster Choir (vespers). The acoustics were humbling. Buckingham Palace was next on our walk - hard to believe that the royal family lived in such a huge structure. A taxi home hailed by Mary and room service in the lounge wrapped a long day for us.