Monday Sept 9th London

 Today's adventure was the Tower of London.  We started a bit early on the tube so we could grab a coffee prior to our entrance at 10. We joined the mass of bodies and entered the courtyard. Last night we watched a YouTube on the Tower. It was very informative and helped us grasp the history and the many renditions it has gone through. On Rick Steve's recommendation we went straight to the Crown Jewels building. Good call. Well done presentation of an amazing collection. We weren't allowed any photography inside this building. One display was for the party plates for a coronation party. A bit of a step up from paper or plastic; Solid gold, one which was a punch bowl for wine which holds 240 bottles of wine.  Took a little coffee break and chatted with a lady from Georgia.

Then back out to the courtyard where we stopped in the Fusilier (kind of like our cavalry) museum and walked some of the grounds. Took a walk through the medieval museum.  Again, a  wonderful presentation. 

Walked part of the wall and then caught one of the "presentations" by the wandering Yoemen wardens. This gave us a bit more history of the " former castle" ( the Tower of London, built in 1080 housed royalty for many years, last in 1603).

We were using up a bit of extra time, in order to reclimb the wall to watch and listen to a 41 canon salute held on the wharf outside the Tower. This is only done a few times a year and we were fortunate that today was in recognition of the Kings ascension day. It's a 21 gun salute with 20 more shots fired because it's fired from a royal site. (fired from 3,  105 mm canons one at a time). It seemed to go on for ever.

Then onto see the White Tower in the middle of the complex.  It's on the original building site and has a few of the original walls, foundations etc. It houses military and armory items. There's 265 steps ( up and down). A bit hard on my knee/leg, but I did it.

 

After the Tower we found a late lunch in the Old Byward, which was the oldest church in London. (now converted to a cafe and event center) A 3/4 mile walk along the Thames to the Millennium bridge to go visit the Tate art complex.

Disappointment. The museum is free, But they charge for various exhibitions. We know somewhere in the building there were open halls, but it was too difficult to search them out. So a tube ride back to the motel for a rest. 5:00)

We decided to have dinner at the Brewdog pub we ate at on Saturday night. Good food and across the street. Our bartender was back😁🍺

 

Oh as we left the Tower we dad get a great picture the Tower Bridge.