Today was a great day. The perfect mix of relaxing, productive, and fun. We got a lot done this morning with making plans for upcoming trips around the UK and other countries in Europe. I got to take a nice long afternoon nap while Todd took the boys to run some errands, and then we all headed off to see the Tower of London!
We got to the Tower a little on the late side and missed doing a tour from one of the beefeaters. We will most definitely go back for that. I was bummed we missed it. You really could spend the good part of a day at just the Tower of London. There is a lot to see and do!
The boys loved the Tower of London. I mean really LOVED it. Like, I was a little worried about how interested they were in all the gory stuff. They were glued with attention from the moment we told them a little bit of the history behind it. Nice. I have always been fascinated with British Literature and history, so I know enough about the Tower of London to know that it wasn't the funnest place in the world, obviously. One of my absolute favorite parts about visiting was every so often there were these little signs that basically said, "we know you have heard a lot about the gruesomeness and the torture and the beheadings and all the horrible stuff that happened here, but that was just a very, very small part of it's history, really it's all fun and dandy and wonderful roses!! Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"...in so many words. Oh, you Brits! I cannot tell you how funny I thought this was and really couldn't stop laughing! Just own it! So you have a bad part of your history... so what, learn from it and move on. It was so funny!
While visiting today I learned the story of
Lady Jane Grey. They had this little info plaque about her and honestly her story is just so sad and tragic. If you haven't read about her, you really should. Interesting and sad stuff. They have her picture with her words above, "I pray you dispatch of me quickly". She said that just before she got the axe, literally. Boy, she was polite. I would have had a few choice words, if that was me, and believe me, they wouldn't be so polite or lady like, and I doubt they would make a plaque of them!
Todd and the boys in front of one of the outer walls to the Tower.
Todd looks like Mavrick here..."I went to the DANGER ZONE!"
I love the mixture of old and new here in London.
Union Jack on the white tower...
Some kind of catapult thing...
Byward tower...look at that date, so fun.
This is freaky...a fake hand through a see through brick. The boys loved this.
In front of the white tower...
This is inside what they call the "blood tower" and I'll give you one guess why it's called that. This is where all the torturing took place and prisoners were held. It is spooky.
Some crazy torture device.
Going late in the afternoon was so pretty with great light and made it so fun for walking around and exploring...
The side stairs were built this way so that if people were coming to take over the tower, the stairs could be knocked down and you couldn't reach the door. Pretty cool, and smart.
Even Tate was liking exploring!
Again, the modern with the old...love it.
Just the boys running and playing in front of an old castle, no big deal.
The Crown Jewels were so awesome. I loved every second. You weren't allowed to take pictures inside, which is SO like Elizabeth 2 to hog everything to herself! I loved seeing all the crowns from various queens and kings, especially Queen Victoria's, she's my favorite.
The jewels are unbelievable. The pageantry and tradition of the royal family and parliament is so interesting.
All of us in front of Tower Bridge...
A fancy cannon, a tower trash can (oops I mean rubbish bin) and a bench...
Todd and Taters and a popcorn tree that looks like it's growing out of Todd's head.
This was the gate that would open to let the prisoners, who would often travel by boat, into the Tower. Interesting fact is that Anne Boleyn started her procession to her coronation from the Tower of London, and then just a few years later she came back to the Tower as a prisoner and her life was ended here. Ironic. And sad. Poor Anne Boleyn. Boy I am sure grateful I live in the 21st century!
After we were through with touring, we headed to the gift shop and goofed around there for awhile.
Sir Tate...
Tagg the destroyer...
Tower Bridge...can't help but here Bob Costas voice when I see it, since it was always in the opening shot of the London Olympics. I wonder where they put the Olympic Rings?
Todd, Thatch and Tagg by Tower Bridge.
Lots of T's in that sentence.
We turned the corner to find somewhere to go eat dinner and we ran smack dab into our new favorite place, Wagamamas! Tate was very happy, and hungry!
Thatcher is our little artist, he drew this picture while waiting for his dinner.
These two brothers were being so cute with each other, I had to capture it...love these boys!
And the two oldest boys just before our walk home in front of the bridge all lit up.
We got home late and everyone was tired, but as Todd and I were getting ready for bed we commented on what a good Saturday we had!
