Overall the London trip was a success. It was exhausting and short, but I did get to experience some of London and we didn’t run into any major issues. On Friday, Damien and I took the airport shuttle an hour to the Frankfurt International Airport where Damien entertained the other travelers by pointing out all the trucks and buses on the road. Next we took an hour and a half flight to the London Heathrow Airport, and then from there we met Scott and took an hour train ride to our hotel.
Damien liked looking at the airplanes.They had a play area in the airport while we waited for our flight–nice!Taking the train to our hotel.Finally made it to the hotel room!
We started out our Saturday morning by visiting the Tower of London. I forgot to bring the stroller so we did a lot of walking.
Outside the fortress wallsEntrance to the castle from the insideI thought this was a catapult and Scott corrected me…but I don’t remember what it’s called. Oh wellOriginal medieval stone wall inside the St Thomas TowerWeird brick wallsReproduced King Edward’s bedroom from 1280 in the St Thomas Tower.King Edward’s bedroom.Looks like an area to pray.Picture of the ceilingA stylus! We’ve come a long way 🙂A chesspieceA chaliceThis helmet was very heavy.Chain mail. I would have hated to wear thatView from inside the Tower of LondonFrom the tower wallsThis is depicting how a solider would defend the fortress against its enemies.I don’t know why there were monkey/baboon creatures. They looked like they were made of wire.From inside the Tower of LondonScott and Damien checking out some weapons.Entrance to see the Crown Jewels. It was AMAZING. Unfortunately I couldn’t take any pictures. They had all sorts of royal crowns, wands, swords, and orbs in the most elaborate jewels I’ve ever seen. So sparkly!Cast iron 12-pounder gun. Weighs about 5 3/4 tons.The remains of a Roman city wall built around the late 2nd or early 3rd century.Another view from inside the Tower of LondonYet another view from inside the Tower of LondonThis was really the only art work I saw on the walls. Everything is pretty plain in comparison to what I’ve seen in Italy or Germany.
Right next to the Tower of London is the London Bridge which goes over the River Thames.
The London Bridge taken from inside the Tower of LondonDamien and I with the London BridgeThe River Thames
I thought London was rather plain. Here are a couple pictures of the area. Â I wish I would have taken more pictures to show all the brick they use because everything starts to look the same after awhile.
There are tons of buildings made from this color of brick with white trim.Just thought this looked interesting. Taken while walking to a train station.
Once we were finished looking around the Tower of London, everyone was very tired and cranky so we headed back to our hotel. After the three of us had a nice, long nap, we visited the London Eye. It’s this big ferris wheel contraption with closed pods to give a great view of the city. It takes about a half hour to go all the way around and it doesn’t stop. You get in and out of the pods while it’s still moving.  There were tons of people in line so we purchased the Fast Track tickets to skip a good portion of the line.
The London EyeSide view of the London EyeHow to enter a pod. The doors close once everyone is inside.View from the London Eye.Damien was a little upset during the ride…not that the picture is any indication.Look it’s Big Ben! (windows are dirty…)Big Ben and the Houses of ParliamentAnother view from the London EyeView of the River Thames from the London EyeThere are buildings as far as you can see.Coming back down from the London Eye.
Next we walked past Big Ben on the way to the train station so we took some pictures along the way.
Scott and Damien with Big Ben.Damien and I with Big Ben.I just liked this picture.Close up of Big Ben.
The next stop was Green Park on our way to Buckingham Palace.
Very beautiful park and very nice weather!!Scott and Damien walking along.Buckingham PalaceFountain outside Buckingham palace from across the street. Also notice the strange cars!Buckingham Palace from across the street.British Police!The Guard doing a little march before standing and staring straight ahead again.Scott and Damien at Buckingham PalaceDamien and I at Buckingham Palace.Buckingham Palace
It was great to see these places in person and we couldn’t have asked for better weather since it’s been exceptionally cold this year. I’m glad we went, but like you’d expect from a big city, there were too many people for my taste and everything was rather expensive. The food was fine, but nothing special.
Sunday was another travel day. Damien was pretty cranky and very fed up with traveling. My flight was slightly delayed and I got lost trying to find the airport shuttle pick up point, but it all worked out and we made it home just fine. Scott had about 3-4 hours on the train, but it went smoothly and he luckily got a seat for the duration of this travels back.
So ready to head back to Germany. Damien reading while others were boarding. He passed out before the plane left the ground.
