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Tuesday Sept. 10th London day 3

 Well, this is our last day in London and tomorrow we're headed for home. We have done so much in London, everything we set out to do and a bit more. We wrapped up our day today at 3 pm and we're pooped, sore knees, sore feet and nothing left to see or do where the desire surmounted our need for rest.  Solution, have a coffee, a chocolate and rest up for our last dinner away from home.

We have gotten into a morning rhythm of fruit, yogurt and nuts in our room then out for a coffee and a pain au Chocolat. Today we took our coffee in the Westminster cafe, then a visit through the Westminster Abbey which all attempts are made to remind the visitors that it is a working house of faith and prayer with 5 services each day.  Then they proceed to walk you through all the relics and tombstones, monuments and crypts of notable people in England's past. It really seems like a glorified grave yard. Oh, what a grand place and so much history.  Amazing is that Edward the Confessor had the Abbey started on 1065, 15 years before the Tower of London (White Tower) in 1080. There is a poets corner where several authors are laid e.g. Lewis Carol and another for some well known scientists e,g, Darwin, Isaac Newton and Faraday, and others I don't know. Overall it was pretty cool.



Probably my favorite is summed up with 3 observances 1) they have a robotics lawn mower (how convenient), 2) on the audio guide, a student age 10 or 12 said, "I think we have music to praise God and to help us know how to pray better". I rather like that. And 3) Mary Queen of Scots and her 1/2 sister Elizabeth the 1st are buried in the same space. Why I like this? They were fiercely divided by their expression of faith and devotion to Christ. One Anglican and one a papist (catholic). Oh, and there is this small matter of Mary being a threat to Elizabeth's throne. So, Mary loses her head, literally by the order of Elizabeth. The church interns them together as an expression of a common faith in God. An enduring reminder that we can find common ground in our current differences, especially within the church.



Then a walk through St James Park to see Buckingham Palace. Pictures in front of the Palace and then headed towards the British Museum. Passed through Picadilly circus on our way. Imagine New York City's Time Square and Broadway combined. Found some lunch and then walked to the British museum and saw a lot of old stuff from Egypt, Greece and Rome including the Rosetta stone. That got us to the point of being foot sore and ready for the conclusion which I spoke of above. A short tube ride back. Soon to be back to the home sweet home.




                                Stopped in this quirky place as we returned home.

                          An umbrella (and sticks) store. No Harrys, shucks. And Dennis was looking for a walking staff but at £225 he can pass. 




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