DAY TWO

A two-hour bus ride into the city landed us at the Tower of London. Mix 107.3 and The Jack Diamond Morning Show were broadcasting live back in DC. We stayed for an hour and made noise at the appropriate moments, and then ... we escaped!
It was a little boring to be truthful. We took the Tube, London's underground subway, to St. Paul's Cathedral. It dates back to 1697.

St Paul’s, with its world-famous Dome, is an iconic feature of the London skyline, but there is so much more to Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece than its impressive facade. The interior, with it’s glittering mosaics, intricate stone carving, and breathtaking vantage points, are just a few of the reasons why a visit to St Paul’s is a must. Important services have included the funerals of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Winston Churchill.

St. Paul's was truly magnificent. 259 spiral skinny steps will get you to the Whispering Gallery. Inside the dome, you can hear people whispering on the other side of the wall. It was strange to hear someone to your left when there was no one there. It was also a beautiful view looking down into the bottom. An additional 153 spiral skinny steps will get you to the top of the dome. Just when you are breathing hard and you wonder if it was worth it, you step outside to a glorious view of the city. It was absolutely breathtaking and very much worth it.

After St. Paul's we took the Tube back to the Tower of London. We did a tour, well part of a tour with the Beefeaters. They also provide security and are also called Yeomen Warders.

Founded nearly a millennium ago and expanded upon over the centuries since, the Tower's primary function was a fortress, a royal palace and a prison (particularly for high status and royal prisoners, such as the Princes in the Tower and the future Queen Elizabeth I). This last use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower" (meaning "imprisoned"). It has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, a mint, a public records office, an observatory, and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

We did see the crown jewels, and they were expensive and fit for a queen--quite literally. A lot of purple and of course the lighting was very nice to enhance their beauty. The other pictures were taken in the White Tower within the Tower of London. There was a great view of the Tower Bridge from the Tower of London as well.

Back to Hanbury Manor we had a banquet of food with the theme of Salmon. It was very good and the conversation was even more interesting. Of course we ended the evening with a dip in the hot tub while most everyone else was at the Pub.