Becky and Jim Go To London, Day Two

I think I should mention here that Becky and Jim's visit to the UK took place in July. Which means, they should have had nice weather. Only they didn't. Because we were skipping summer this year. Except that Day Two we actually saw sun. Which was a nice change.The original plan had been to enjoy the sights (and the lovely day) via double decker bus. It was a grand plan save for one teensy problem: A bunch of Frenchmen in tight bicycle shorts thought it was a good day to tour London, as well. One would have thought something called the "Tour d'France" would take place in France, but nooooo. They decided to be different and do it in London. Most annoying.

So instead we hitched a ride on a river boat and paddled our way down the Thames. Now THIS is the way to sight-see! On our right you can see the re-creation of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Yes, it's built exactly as it was back in the day, many moons ago. Well, as close to exactly as they can get, seeings as how there were no plans that survived to the modern era, but based on descriptions, this is what they THINK it looked like. It's even got the wooden benches for the upper crust to sit on and a lower open floor where the great unwashed get to stand. Shakespearean plays are still performed on good days. That means ones where the sky isn't dumping buckets on your head.

To our left is some monument to somebody famous who did something really important a long, long time ago. I think I need to work on my memory recall. But hey, ho. At least it was a fun trip.

We got off at the Tower of London and took a tour of the place with a most humorous tour guide who poked fun at tourists, especially Americans. We got to hear all about the dire proceedings of the former prison, including how a bunch of people with no heads are buried under the floor of the chapel. No, seriously, they are. They took all these poor people they beheaded and buried them without their heads under the stone floor of the chapel. How rude is that! Even worse, people actually get married in that chapel. Can you imagine? Talk about creepy. Somehow I can't imagine it bodes well for a marriage when you've got headless bodies buried under the floorboards, or in this case, floor stones.

After our tour of the Tower, we were all a might bit peckish, so we partook of sandwiches at the cafe on site. Refreshed and no longer gnawing on each others' arms, we headed back to the boat landing and caught the next boat to Greenwich. Yes, as in the place where the Prime Meridian thing is. As in Greenwich Mean Time.

There was a lovely outdoor market, not unlike Portland's Saturday Market. We browsed aisles of hand crafted diaries and jewelry while our noses (and appetites) were tempted by the aroma of freshly baked cookies. Evil, these people are.

A short walk up the road is Greenwich Park, a gorgeous expanse of green grass, trees, herbal gardens, Roman ruins, and the observatory for which Greenwich is famous. The adorable cottage to the left is now a tea room and ice cream parlour. We did not partake. Instead, Jim conked out for a cat nap on a convenient bench while Becky and I explored the Queen's House.

Nowadays part of the National Maritime Museum, the Queen's House was once part of the Royal Palace, built by James I for his consort, Queen Anne and designed by the renowned architect, Indigo Jones. The queen died before it was complete and work stopped for 10 years before being completed by Charles II for his queen, Henrietta.

All I know is the wide walk covered in sweeping archways is a bit like walking through a fairy tale. And naturally, Becky and I are the belles of this ball!

After a snack of ice cream to stave off the hunger pangs, we board the ferry back to London to partake of a fine meal at the Angus Steakhouse in Covent Garden. Jim pronounces the beef superb (Well, it IS Angus, not the usual less than tasty British beef.).

A fine time was had by all, but we are exhausted. So we head for our respective beds whilst I try to refrain from sneezing on every person on the tube. My head is feeling a bit stuffy, but I put it down to being tired and hit the hay early. Tomorrow is Becky and Jim's last day in London...