Tanks, Planes and Sub's

Imperial War Museum

Oh what joy for Joseph as this was his

favorite destination. So many methods

of destruction in one building.

He was the lucky one when we went to

the room where they did a demonstration

of what it was like during the Berlin Blitz.

There was only room for one more person

so we let Joseph go in, and it was the last

presentation of the day, so all we got was the

explanation from Joseph on how cool it was.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge

Standing magnificently over the
River Thames since 1894, it is breathtaking
and so ornate. It was neat to sail under
it during a river cruise, and to see this
amazing structure up close.

On Board the Belfast

HMS Belfast

What a great Ship with a realistic tour of

what it was like for the soldiers on it.

They were models of the soldiers

in each room, showing

what it was used for. Such as cooking,

engineering and even surgery and the brig.

It made the tour come alive to not just look

in rooms with a plaque saying what

the room was. I admit it was a bit creepy

at first, and then it made it all the better

to see how it was for these men.

The HMS Belfast was launched in 1938

and served in the 2nd World War and

the Korean War. It is the only surviving

big gun armoured warship built for the

Royal Navy in earlier times.

There were nine decks to see and it

provided a lot of enjoyment for 'The Boys'.

"To Be or Not To Be"--Definitely Be There!!!

Shakespeare's Globe Theater

Romeo and Juliet were playing while

we were there. So the stage had

the famous balcony on it. We took a

marvelous tour and had such a good time,

and we learned a lot, about the Globe, and

what it was like in Shakespeare's day.

The architecture was astoundingly good,

and all the costumes and props were

well done. The Theatre is a recreation

of the 1599 open-air play house.

This was Ashley's favorite destination.

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square
The Lions and Statues and the Fountain
were magnificent. Can you see Joseph
sitting on top of the Lion?

The square consists of a large central area
surrounded by roadways on three sides,
and stairs leading to the National Gallery

on the other. The Charing Cross

Tube Station is located close to the

Square and made it easy for us to get to the Square.

Nelson's Column is in the centre of the square,
it is surrounded by fountains designed by

Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1939.

Four huge bronze lions sculpted by

Sir Edwin Landseer
are amazing to see and they reminded us

of Asland in the Narnia Movie.

The metal used for the Lions,
is said to have been recycled from the

cannon of the French fleet.

The column is topped by a statue of

Horatio, Viscount Nelson,
the admiral who commanded the

British Fleet at Trafalgar.

The fountains are memorials to

Lord Jellicoe (western side)
and Lord Beatty (eastern side).

The Household Calvery Museum

The Household Calvery Museum

We saw part of the Changing of the Guard

and a fun museum where Joseph

could dress in the Calvery uniform,

and pose with one of the Guards.

This museum offered a behind the scenes

look at the work that goes into the ceremonies

and duties of the Guard. We saw the working

stables of the Queen's Life Guard.

Standing at "0 Degrees" on the Prime Meridian

The Greenwich Meridian

We stood on either side of

the line marking the time meridian.

We had an wonderful look at the clock

museum there, and the telescopes at the

space observatory. Not to mention

an amazing view from so high a vantage.

Although the climb to get there took

some doing and a break part way

up the hill however for me.

The Greenwich Meridian, is based at the

Royal Observatory and was established

by Sir George Airy in 1851.

The red ball at the top of one of the buildings

drops at exactly One O'Clock each day.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London

The ancient stones speak of times

long past, of a grim reputation

for a place of torture and death.

A fortress founded by

William the Conqueror in 1066.

We heard of many stories here, and some

were that it was once a Zoo and even a

private residence.

Now it is Guarded by The

Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty's

Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London,

popularly known as the Beefeaters. They are

ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London.

They are responsible for looking after any

prisoners at the Tower and

safeguarding the British Crown Jewels.

But mostly they act as tour guides and for

us they were a tourist attraction too.

We enjoyed getting a photo with them.

The crown jewels were neat to see, and

learn about and oh so shiny.

The Crown Jewels have been kept at

the Tower of London since 1303,

except briefly during WWII.

It was here we also saw an

amazing collection of King Henry the 8th's

Armor and other weaponry,

entitled, "Dressed to Kill".

We heard the fun stories of how

The Tower of London is reputedly

the most haunted building in England.

The ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn,

beheaded in 1536 for trumped up charges

of treason against King Henry VIII,

has allegedly been seen haunting

the chapel of St Peter-ad-Vincula,

where she is buried, and walking

around the White Tower carrying

her head under her arm.

(Insert your own creepy music here)

So many amazing buildings to see,

and such rich history, made it a

great place for the whole family to enjoy

Our Vacation to London

Parliment Bldg. and Big Ben clock tower

Chenille Saunders performs live with Marvin Goldstein at the Grand Theater

Spending time with Chenille and Brother Goldstein was great fun!

Their concert was simply "Grand"

I hope there will be more of them.

Way to Go! Chenille.

"Encore, Encore"