Much Ado

Today is London in a day. Literally we are trying to fit it all in before we leave London tomorrow. Hold on to your hats!

First up, the HMS Belfast which was Max’s request to see. On the walk over, which was only about a ten minute walk, we stopped at a food market to grab some breakfast. It was beautiful!

Lots of goodies to try. They are very strict about allergies here

We bought coffees here and enjoyed croissants, pain au chocolates and stimler buns that are like cinnamon rolls

Seamus tried raw milk. It didn’t go well. He said he much preferred the watered down version we drink in the US. Not shocked as it was pretty thick to drink. At least we got him the pasteurized version🤣. I do love all the fun glass bottles we are served in for most places.

Back on our way, we headed to the Riverwalk and headed to the ship. It was sunny but still pretty breezy as we made our way down the walk.

Time for us to tour the HMS Belfast. Nine decks make up this ship that was in service over 25 years of service. I realized pretty quickly that I would have never survived the Navy. My purse barely made it through the holes to the steps. And every ladder has 9 million steps too. I can’t even imagine living like this with 1000 other people. This ship was at D-Day and in the Pacific. Pretty impressive!!

The Admiral’s Chair

Next we headed up to the Tower Bridge to cross over to the Tower of London for our tour there. It was pretty crowded but a fun walk over the Thames.

Thankfully someone stopped to help us out

Before our tour we stopped into Starbucks and took a moment to reset. Busy busy Starbucks for sure, but I added another ornament to my collection! Then we were off to the Tower tour!

Coffee. Max is addicted but Seamus not so much

Our Beefeater guide. She served in the Royal Air Force for 22 years

From the White Tower which is the main building overlooking the bridge and home of the Ravens

I’ve done this tour multiple times and learn something every time. It focuses heavily on the people put to death here, including Henry’s wives like Ann Boleyn and Katherine of Aargon. Poor Lady Jane Grey’s story is horrible too. Guy Fawkes was tortured in the basement on the White Tower in the Gunpowder plot here as well. It’s a very dark history. Traitor’s Gate and Bloody Tower where the two young princes were murdered also highlighted this tour. After the tour we hit the Torture in the Tower display and then the Crown Jewels where someone was reprimanded for taking pictures 😬. The boys liked the White Tower display of all the knights and their armor from days of battle. Lots of steps and a loads of history.

The bridge in use. A large sailboat came through

Next came my fall from grace. Racing to the Tower underground station I may have hit a stone wrong and went flying. It was a slow motion fall. Right on my face. Somehow though I saved my camera and phone. Miracle. Unfortunately, my pants did not survive the fall. Oh well Seamus and I headed to Westminster and Big Ben while Joe and Max hit up the British Museum.

Westminster Abbey which unfortunately was closedd

Front of the Abbey. Warnings everywhere about pick pockets

Evening Song was getting ready

The London Eye on the Westminster Bridge

Next we headed back to get ready for our Globe Experience of Much Ado About Nothing. It was an amazing experience and so well done. The acting was superb; we were plebeians and stood the performance for 10 euro but it was so good. I do love London and can’t wait to get back. It’s a great place!! The acting was amazing. We loved our performance!!