Day 5: Tower of London

We didn’t care much about museums but we buckled and did the Tower of London today. Pretty interesting. I will say our timing has been impeccable. Had tickets for 10:30, got in about 9:45, waited not more than 10 minutes for the Crown Jewels. Like yesterday when we wondered why royalty needs more than one massively expensive carriage to use a few times a decade, we’re wondering why there can’t be just one crown for Queens and one crown for Kings. Probably because taxpayers foot the bill. But then some people think you don’t need more than one pair of black shoes, so…nevermind. 

As we were leaving the lines were snaking around buildings. (Thanks to John Conroy’s FB post advising visitors to see the Crown Jewels first). But pictures not allowed?!

Saw a little skit about asking a brother’s permission to marry a princess that a prince had never met.  

King Edward I built St.Thomas tower as his luxury accommodations, partly with funds derived from imposing heavy taxes on England’s Jewish Community. Hmmm.

This monument marks the spot where Ann Boleyn was beheaded in 1536. 

Then we walked to a cool area in the Bank district (today is a bank holiday so not crowded) Leadenhall Market, where we found Young’s Lamb Tavern above Old Tom’s Bar. Yes, we ate again:  Gnocci (me), Beef burger and fries (Dave). 

Took the Tube back to Oxford Circus to visit Hamley’s, a giant toy store. Many floors, reminded us of the old FAO Schwarz in New York that always had lines out the door. We may or may not have bought something for Harper and Malcolm.

The toy store was teeming with kids and was quite stressful so we needed to stop for tea and scones and a strawberry tart. For a minute we thought we might get to use our rain gear - it started sprinkling as we walked into the tea place but by the time we left, sunny again. Dave is having difficulty with the tea thing and keeps ordering wine….


Tonight, MJ the Musical about Michael Jackson at the Prince Edward Theatre, just a 12-minute walk from our flat. Actors that played Michael (young/middle/older) were all great. Music was great. Took us from Jackson 5 thru the Victory tour. There were some loose ends in the story but still a fun night. In by 11:00. 15,550 steps. 







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