I first visited Westminster Abbey the summer after I graduated from high school. What I remember most about the building was the crowds. There were so many people you could hardly walk. The tour guides would briskly herd their groups through the building yelling at anyone who dared get in their way. I was shocked that behavior like that was allowed in a church and I was disappointed that we were allowed only a cursory glance at this magnificent building. So I was bracing myself for a similar scene. Well, April has its advantages. The crowds were minimal, the building was peaceful, and we had time to linger at all monuments, tombs and chapels in the Abbey.
Mike and Rachael really wanted to see government in the making but unfortunately we only had time to walk by the Parliament buildings.
Big Ben is the bell in the clock, although the entire clock tower is commonly called that as well. It has only rarely needed maintenance. London does seem to operate with efficiency, especially the transit system. It is a very appropriate symbol of London.
The Horse Guard
What amazed me was that not only the guard stood still, but the horse as well.
The kids were happy to be allowed to run around and play with the lions at Trafalgar Square. Lilly enjoyed pretending to be lunch. Which of course made her think about food so we headed over to Porters and enjoyed a delicious lunch. They specialize in meat pies. I had a most delicious steak and cheddar pie topped with puff pastry. Geoffrey tried to order something new and different at every restaurant (Yes, a little bit of pride for my boy here.) so he ordered chicken, mushroom and leek pie. He loved it.
Covent Gardens was next. This location was interesting because it was like seeing the roots of Boston. Covent Gardens is just like Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall--both in buiding styles and atmosphere. Here we were treated to? accosted with? some British comedy in this scantily clad street performer. Well, he started out fully dressed. The payoff took an awfully long time but he eventually, rode a very tall unicycle, stripped down to pink underwear, and juggled a chainsaw and knives. The kids were enthrawled and insisted that we stay for the whole performance.
We saw many other street performers on our trip. This of course is not unlike Boston but here they do not speak with an enchanting British accent.
This enchanting market had shops and street vendors selling everything from fruit and vegetables to jewelry to giant pans of paella. Too bad I was still full from lunch.
The National Gallery was next and was enjoyed by some of the children. Reagan however, fell asleep and was carried through much of it. This is our first trip without a stroller, it has both advantages and disadvantages. Carrying a five year old sleeping child and all of the stuff you need for the day is certainly the main disadvantage. Not lugging a stroller everywhere though, was nice. Reagan promptly woke up when told we would be getting on a double decker bus. Look how excited she was. She sat up top, right up front and pretended to drive the bus. Needless to say, once we hit the apartment and had a light dinner, we all went quickly to sleep.
