Tower of London & Bike Tour

When we came to London for a couple days with Diane and the boys in 2018,

we stayed in a hotel overlooking the Thames and the Tower of London.

It's such a vast complex that looks just like a castle and village, 

I've been dying to take a tour.

What a surprise to discover it's the place that houses The Crown Jewels,

something we saw when we came when Marty was a baby and Courtney was just two.

I'd remembered seeing them, but not that they were in the Tower of London.

There was a line to go inside, but it moved quickly, and was worth it.

You can't take pictures inside, but it was so fun to see the crowns in intricate details laden with gems,

embroidered gowns and royal robes,

scepters and table settings in solid gold.

We walked the exterior walls and enjoyed every exhibit thorughout

and the accompanying  history. We missed the dungeon torture chamber.

My next book is about a telephone operator and a beefeater.

I thought the beefeaters were the king's (or queen's) guard who wear the bearskin hats.

But these are the beefeaters. 

We were surprised and delighted to learn they live in these houses on site!

Today was our first rainy day, and unfortunately, also our bike tour.

And to add to the misfortune, the Wickham's were supposed to join us,

but their flights were delayed so they had to miss.

On the bright side, the rain stopped soon after our tour started.

Pat, our guide was sooo knowledgable--knew his centuries of history 

as well as any expert, and even acted out scenarios including voices.

We loved him.

Started at Waterloo Station and through Graffiti Tunnel

A church with a pineapple on top and this darling street with every 8th window bricked up 

to avoid the window tax from way-back-when.

Westminster Abbey, a famous school which was the first "public" school but turned into an exclusive private school with graduates such as: Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton and Helena Bonham Carter. 

The House of Parliament and Buckingham Palace

The house next door where King Charles is currently living while the palace is being refurbished.

The Egyptian obelisk and sphinx guarding the wrong way.

A stop for late lunch/early dinner at a yummy fast food chicken shop

and the most decadent doughnut.

St. Paul's Cathedral

Trafalgar Square and the heroic story of Sir Horatio Nelson defeating Napolean.

Back at home base with Pat, our fantastic tour guide!

Honestly, a biking tour is one of our favorite ways to see an area.

You get around so quickly and can learn so much.

We met the Wicham's and Kate, who is here on a study abroad, (and why the Wickham's are here,

and the reason I defimitively decided to join Dan on the trip when we realized we'd overlap dates).

Dinner at Dishoom Indian, on the recommendation of everyone we talked to. 

(Delicious!) and the bonus of Anita Gelato being right across the street.