United Kingdom 2025

 Big day today. Headed off early to get into London and see as much as we could that we missed yesterday.  Gates to the palace A guard Gary on the Queen Victoria fountain in front of the palace Gates into the gardens Fountain in front of the palace Buckingham Palace The fountain again First off to Buckingham Palace (yes we found it!)  Walked up to Trafalgar Square Caught the train up to London Bridge - thank God it didn’t fall down on this fair lady! Where it is believed Ann Boleyn was executed A suit of armour Where The Crown Jewels are kept The Valasse Cross is a rare example of medieval royal goldsmiths work. The larger outer cross was probably made in Normandy in the 1180’s. St John’s Chapel in the White Tower The White Tower The poppies for the 80th anniversary of VE Day  View of Big Ben from Westminster Bridge The building where the Crown Jewels are kept The suit of armour that Henry VIII wore Over to Tower of London - what an experience! For us as well as fift...

 Hop on and Hop Off bus today! Started off at Westminster Abbey, (what a place) Elizabeth Tower with Big Ben in it and the rosy red cheeks of the little children! In front of Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey On the bus Westminster Palace Lambarth Palace Mudlarks. These are waterproof clad humans, walking slowly at low tide, eyes focused on the ground. In the 18th and 19th centuries, mudlarks were the poorest in society, trying to scratch a living from the bits of rope, coal or anything else they could find on the banks of the river. Today mudlarks are enthusiasts who scour the foreshore for any historical treasures offered up by the tide. You need a licence to mudlark. Richard the Lionheart Us in front of Big Ben ( really Elizabeth Tower - Big Ben is the bell inside) must have heard this twenty times today! Westminster Palace Westminster Abbey St Stephen’s Cathedral and I think Westminster Palace with a statue of Richard the Lionheart. Back onto the bus to head off to Buckingham...