United Kingdom
The Tower of London

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    • Day 8

      Tower of London

      May 3, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F

      We had the BEST Beefeater tour guide. We walked right into the Tower of London as he was starting off. He's beefy409 on Facebook.

      This is the place of kings, queens, and executions. The crown jewels are houses here (no pictures allowed).

      The Beefeaters are the Queen's personal guard and still live here. They must serve 20 years in the armed forces before being able to apply. More people have been to space than have become Beefeaters.

      Legend has it that as long as the ravens still live at the Tower, England will not fall.
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    • Day 107

      London

      July 6, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

      Miles: 5.7 Steps: 14784
      Flights stairs: 39

      Spent the day seeing just a few sights. We started with St Paul’s cathedral, another crazy beautiful church. I can’t help but think as I sit in each of these of the waste of resources and space tho. At the time these were built, there were so many people who were in such need. Certainly could have been a better use of the money it seems, then building these massive ornate cathedrals. But, what do I know. 🤔

      We then headed over and took a tour of the Tower Bridge. 432 people worked on the bridge; only 10 people died. For those times, probably not too bad. Walked up and back down 235 steps.

      Then we kept walking and went through the Tower of London - basically a big old mid-evil fort on the waterfront. It had been remade so much (and gift shops added everywhere) that it seemed like it was built this decade. Compared to other historical castles we’ve been thru, somewhat disappointing. The outside looked much more “historic” than the inside, but it was still hard to not notice all of the “improvements” that shouldn’t have been there.

      We bought the “London pass” - basically pay a flat fee to see as many sites you can in 48 hours. It definitely pays off with just a few places because London charges sooo much to see the sites. With the pass, came access to a roofless, double decker “hop on/hop off” bus. It was a great vantage point to see the sites and the modernistic skyline - and fun with the wind in your hair. Nice idea, but in the end didn’t work very well. In London just way too much traffic so we just sat there not moving for much of the trip. 😩 Glad we didn’t actually pay the £40 to use it and that it was “free” with the card.
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    • Day 4

      Hakuna Matata

      January 2 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

      Ein weiterer Tag neigt sich dem Ende zu. Heute morgen ging es früh raus (zumindest für Leandra😆) Richtung Tower of London🏰 Die Kronjuwelen standen nebst der Besichtigung des grossen Geländes auf dem Programm👑

      Dann gabs einen Shopping- und Essen-Zwischenhalt an der Battersea Power Station, bevor es auf direkten Weg zum London Eye ging.😋 Begleitet vom typischen Londoner Wetter, haben wir die wunderschöne Stadt vom Risenrad aus betrachtet.🎡 Als wir ganz oben ankamen stand plötzlich das Rad still. Der Wind wurde stärker und durch "technical issues" wurde die Weiterfahrt für einige Minuten eingestellt.⚠️ Aus 30 Minuten Fahrtzeit wurden 50 Minuten.🤷🏼‍♀️ Kein Problem für uns - dadurch haben wir London bei Helligkeit wie auch Eindemmerung gesehen😁

      Nach dem London Eye haben wir nich Nadine getroffen, die spontan auch nach London reiste. Tausend Fotos später sind wir dann ins Hotel zurückgegangen, um uns aufzuwärmen📸

      Zum Abendessen gabs Pad Thai. Nach einem Zwischenstopp beim Primark gings nochmals zur Arcade Halle, ehe der Tag schon wieder vorbei war.

      Food of the day: (Pad) Thai🇹🇭
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    • Day 28

      Tower of London

      July 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

      This afternoon we visited what will likely be our last "old thing"on this trip, the Tower of London. The area has been the fortified heart of London since Roman times, but things really stepped up here in 1066 when William the Conqueror decided to show the Anglo Saxon Londoners that he was not to be messed with and so he built the White Tower which still stands in the centre of this site.

      It was an interesting visit, we got to see many suits of armor, ran into a beefeater or two, and saw the Crown Jewels.
      A good way to finish off our tour of historical monuments.
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    • Day 12

      Tower of London

      August 17, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

      The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It was founded toward the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new Norman ruling class. The castle was also used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard) until 1952 (Kray twins), although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. There were several phases of expansion, mainly under kings Richard I, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. The general layout established by the late 13th century remains despite later activity on the site.

      Built: White Tower: 1078; Inner Ward: 1190s; Rebuilt: 1285; Wharf expansion: 1377–1399
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    • Day 25

      Tower of London

      August 16, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

      We had booked tickets to the Tower of London before we came. Our entry time was 10:30 am, but entry times seem to bear no relevance here. We got there at 10am and went straight in.

      The place was absolutely thronging with people. Tourists! 😄 It made it difficult to read info signs or take decent photos. The crown jewels part was particularly crowded. We were herded in like cattle, and the most interesting part had us on a conveyor belt so you couldn't linger. I felt quite claustrophobic at times and the noise of everyone talking was overwhelming. Couldn't take photos, but some clowns got their phones out and got yelled at by the security staff. Some of the gold vessels were impressive.

      We enjoyed the armoury in the white tower better (apart from the numerous steps!). After that we discovered the chapel (where Ann Boleyn and others were buried). This was a peaceful spot to rest, and I got my daily pipe organ photo.
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    • Day 14

      London Calling

      April 12, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

      The trip from Paris to London was largely uneventful. A pleasant train ride through the French countryside before dipping into a tunnel for half an hour and emerging on the other side of the Channel. From there we snaked our way through the outskirts of the city, and glided into St Pancras station. It was evening rush hour, but we headed across the road to Kings Cross Station to see platform 9 3/4. It was pretty packed, so we made our way onto the tube and across town to our apartment in West Kensington. It's been a long day, and the pizza shop below our apartment was calling. It didn't disappoint.

      The following day we were up early and at it. We headed into the East End and emerged at the stunning Tower of London. It's an impressive building. After stopping so the kids could have a chat with the Beefeater, we walked inside and decided to head straight for the Crown Jewels. London is busily preparing for the Coronation of King Charles III, which meant a number of things around town are in preparation mode. This includes some of the relevant Crown Jewels, which are currently at the crown shop being prepared. It's where I always take my crown for repairs.... Fortunately, the British monarchy is not short of a jewel or two and there were plenty of crowns, sceptres, gold dishes and orbs to go around. Including the impressive Cullinan Diamond, the largest cut diamond in the world, found in Pretoria, South Africa over 100 years ago. I'm sure it was humanely sourced.

      We wandered further through the former palace, gaol, fortress and explored the many rooms, dungeons and walls. One delightful story that caught our attention was that of Alice Wolf. Convicted of piracy she was hung by manacles from the exterior walls of the palace while the Thames tide was low. As the tide came in, she was gradually swallowed up by the river and drowned. So inventive.

      We departed the Tower and cross the beautiful Tower Bridge to the south bank where we found a spot of lunch. From there, back across the river towards the Bank region where Sarah worked, once upon a time. As the clouds rolled in and the rain set in, we caught the Number 9 bus, which was a cheap way to get home via most of the major sites in town. We sat at the top of the double decker bus and drove past St Paul's Cathedral, The Strand, Australia House, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Downing St, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and St James' Park.

      Eventually we found our way back to West Kensington. For dinner, we had a surprise guest come and meet us. Zoe had finished work and headed for our house. The boys were very excited to see her. We enjoyed a game of Go Nuts for Donuts and a meal, it was good to have a friendly face at the dinner table.
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    • Day 21

      Tower of London

      April 17, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

      This was one of the neatest things I've seen. Lots of fascinating history and all that good stuff I like. Couldn't take pics of the Crown Jewels, but I did get to see them. And yes, had to get a picture with an old door in the Tower of London.Read more

    • Day 4

      The Tower of London is more than a tower

      July 20, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

      London tower has been a fortress, castle, and prison over the years. Built on the Roman settlement of Londinium, the Normans created a fortress that was continually added onto and improved. My favorite part was the medieval section from the 1200s but the Crown Jewels are incredible as well. Mandy's always a fan of the torture room :)Read more

    • Day 4

      Tower Bridge

      April 30, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

      Suzie - While we were too late to get tickets to go up the Tower Bridge (having too much fun at the Tower!), we did walk over the bridge and back to Tower Hill tube station. It was fabulous and seeing the look on Nik's face 😀😀😀

      And we even went down to the banks of the Thames!!! I've wanted to do that for ages!!

      Nik - I've obviously seen the bridge in TV many, many times. The pictures don't do it justice. It's simply stunning.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Tower of London, The Tower of London, Londense Tower, برج لندن, Tauer, Таўэр, Тауър, लंदन टावर, টাওয়ার অফ লন্ডন, Londonski Tower, Torre de Londres, Tower, Tŵr Llundain, Πύργος του Λονδίνου, Turo de Londono, Londresko dorrea, Lontoon Tower, Tour de Londres, Toer fan Londen, Túr Londan, ટાવર ઓફ લંડન, מצודת לונדון, टावर ऑफ़ लंदन, Londoni Tower, Թաուեր, Menara London, Turmo di London, Lundúnaturn, Torre di Londra, ロンドン塔, ლონდონის ტაუერი, ಲಂಡನ್‌ ಗೋಪುರ, 런던탑, Turris Londinii, Londono Taueris, Tauers, Лондонска кула, ലണ്ടൻ ടവർ, လန်ဒန်ရဲတိုက်ကြီး, ٹاور آف لندن, Turnul Londrei, Тауэр, Touer o Lunnon, Лондон тауер, Towern, இலண்டன் கோபுரம், లండన్ టవర్, หอคอยแห่งลอนดอน, Tore ng Londres, Londra Kalesi, Тауер, Tháp Luân Đôn, 伦敦塔, טורעם פון לאנדאן, 倫敦塔

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