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2 more busy days in London

Well we have covered a lot of territory on foot, train, and bus in the last couple of days. Our poor weary bodies are feeling the effects of non stop go-go and old age to boot.

Abe Lincoln
Yesterday we headed into the centre of London to see Westminster Abbey, The House Guards, The Royal Mews and a boat trip down the Thames.

 Westminster Abbey was amazing and mind blowing. To see the lots of famous plaques, tombs and statues of all sorts of things and people. The history of English kings and queens buried and coronations of the same was quite unreal. Poor Henry the VIII didn't get to be buried here, I wonder why? Edward the Confessor's tomb is here the King who reinstated religion here in 1066 I believe.
(no photo inside allowed). The church is used regularly for services.
Out front was a memorial day 11/11 poppies and crosses in memory of WWI.

Poppies and crosses outside the Abbey

The Abbey
We watched the changing of the Royal House mounted house guards. The British do pomp and ceremony really well.
We then went over to the Royal Mews to find out about the house stables and carriages that are used in official ceremonies. Some great stuff here.Worth a visit. The royal coronation carriage is amazing, gold everywhere.


Royal Mews displays
Then on the way home we took a boat ride from London Bridge to the Tower Bridge. It was nice to see London lit up.



Today we ventured into Kensington Palace for a look around. It was mainly dedicated to Victoria in her youth and on to her being queen. a lot of childhood things can be seen that she used at the time in the castle.





Next onto see the changing of the Grenadier guards at Buckingham palace, which only occurs every other day. There were people everywhere so didn't see much of the stuff inside the gates but we did see the guards marching down the street and into the barracks. That was cool as we were really close.


Then off we walked to catch the boat again to venture down to Greenwich to see some sights. This took 2 boats and a bit of waiting around.

The trip was good as the boat crew gave a bit of a blurb about some of the sights.
At Greenwich we saw the Cutty Sark. Interesting cutter, used to transport tea mainly from China to England, but towards the end of its live it was used to transport wool from Australia to England in 70 odd days a record back then. It was built for high winds and fast speed to about 20 knots.


Figure Head collection 


Then we walked up the hill to the observatory to see the time collection and stand on the meridian line. A cool thing to do.



In 4 busy days we still have only just seen some of the sights here.
Things we noted here, Lots of tour groups from China, Hundreds of people, Smoking and Vaping is big here. Lots of nationalities visit London. No one really knows where to go or which bus /train to get unless you're local!!

Until next time as we head north towards Edinburgh again.


Rob & Liz




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