Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Summer Vacation - Day 3

Thursday, July 25, 2013

We were up at 8 a.m. and down to meet up with the group at 9:00 a.m. after coffee and head out on the Underground to London Tower to go on tour.  Temperature outside was 70 degrees, overcast and a chance of rain.
We heard the news that stated Prince William and Kate's new baby son (3rd in line to the throne) is to be named "George" and will some day be Kind George VII.  Taylor won the naming contest for the baby and got 20 pounds from David T.

Now, at the Tower of London - very impressive fortress.  Anne Boelyn beheaded here and many notable prisoners here including Sir Walter Raleigh.

Walking up to The Tower of London
Walking over the bridge
At the MOAT!
Far in the back, a guard is watching over the Queens 'other' house - at all times!
After seeing 'Bloody Tower' and touring site we get in line to see "Crown Jewels". Very impressive.  Finish by going into White Tower and then off to St. Paul's Cathedral.

The entrance to the Crown Jewels. A little mist in the air.

Sadly, we were not allowed to take any photos of the jewels!!! RATS!!! This was definitely a highlight of the day and totally worth the 30 minute wait in line to see these jewels. Quite the collection and absolutely beautiful!!! I'm sure you can check them out online.
A real Beefeater - ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London
A special collection of the armor!! Very cool!
The actual beheading tools! It is blurry because my camera is horrible on museum mode,
but I had to post it.
More weapons. Thought how much my son would enjoy seeing all of this history!
This is the actual beheading spot of Ann Boelyn - a special stone was placed here in remembrance.
Thought this was fitting for the days activities!
Typical London bus!
On the way to St. Paul's Cathedral, we stop for lunch at a good pub, "Harry's Bar." It was a good, traditional British food and beverage kind of spot...... very classy, in kind of like a basement feel and many businessmen enjoying their lunch/meetings. Taylor and I would look at each other and shake our heads - this group!!! No stopping for a quick pretzel to tie us over til dinner in this group!!
Simple appetizer at lunch time
Crab sandwich
The Cathedral was first built in 604 AD but was destroyed and rebuilt 5 different times.  Massive cathedral with beautiful mosaics.  Dome, super high - 365 feet. Christopher Wrew was the famous architect.  Taylor, David T and I all climbed to the top!!

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any photos while inside any cathedral....This day was extra special for me because a choir was rehearsing inside for a 5:00 service and it was truly delightful hearing their voices in this enormous space. As we walked all around the alter, a rush of emotion came over me. It was indescribable.....I just felt so incredibly BLESSED to be in this spot, at this time. This happened quite often during the entire trip, but on this day, walking around the alter, it just HIT ME like a ton of bricks! Of all of the roads that had to cross, God led me right to THIS church, with these beautiful people, on THIS day in history. Unreal! Never to be forgotten.

St. Paul's Cathedral
People just hanging out on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral
England is so proud of this new baby aka future KING!! So sweet!
The view from the very top!!!
David T reflecting
It was a beautiful day and you could see FOREVER!!! David T and I really enjoyed the views. It truly was spectacular!!
Notice the hand holding....because Tay was SO SCARED!!! 
With a fear of heights and he is 365 feet high!!
Seriously, Taylor and Dick (David N. too but he doesn't admit it as often) all have a fear of heights. As we climbed up, we were INSIDE between the inner dome - that you see INSIDE the cathedral and the OUTER dome, that you see on the OUTSIDE! It was very interesting and very safe as we made the climb. Then, we had to go OUTSIDE and walk around the entire perimeter and that is when Tay FREAKED! I'll never forget when he asked, "Barbara, where is the bloody door?" Ohhhhh!!!! It was hilarious and we still laugh when we think about it. When asked if he learned anything about going out there, Tay will answer, "Yes!! I learned that I have a definite FEAR OF HEIGHTS!!!" He cannot believe it when I tell him that to me, it is as if I were on the ground! I have no ill effects at all when up so high. Weird.
Hugging the wall tightly, but Tay made it!
After St. Paul's we take the Underground to Harrods - the largest department store in the world! Amazing was the amount of products and variety offered.  We enjoyed about an hour of shopping and then headed to meet with Chris and LeeAnn and family.

Harrods! WOWZA!!
So proud of this baby!!
Inside of Harrods
More inside of Harrods
Absolutely polished!!
We planned on meeting up with David's cousin that lives outside of London at this pub but the traffic was so bad for him that we ended up meeting him at the restaurant. Meanwhile, David N. entertained us BEHIND the bar!!!
HAMMING it up!!!
So who is this "Christian Man" hanging out in the pub!! His shirt says: Leading Listeners to Jesus!
A good time was had by all - except for Dickie Boy - brother is some times
 too much for him to handle!! hahaah!!!
Eventually, we met up with the rest of the family - David's cousin LeeAnn, her husband Chris, their 2 children, Chris' brother and his children, Chris' parents and US!! We ate at a Mexican Restaurant - Chiquito's - that was pretty good for England!!! We had a wonderful evening catching up!!  We were SOOOOO tired by this point. I mean, it took EVERYTHING to stay awake!!! They are all such sweet people and we were fully entertained by their stories and recent adventures.


By the time got off of the train, it was NEARLY MIDNIGHT!!! 4 more minutes!! Talk about SEIZING the day!!!


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