Of course, you know we started out at Caffe Nero with our two shots of espresso and almond croissants. We had become "regulars" there--they really didn't have to ask what we wanted. They just knew we wanted our coffee, that we wanted to add our own cream, that we would buy a newspaper, that we would get two pastries, and that we would head for the two comfy chairs in the back. Period.
Buckingham Palace was on the agenda for the day. The Queen's Thanksgiving Service had been on Tuesday at St. Paul's Cathedral, so we felt pretty certain that life would be back to normal at the Palace. We were wrong.
We took the Tube to the nearest station and walked the couple of blocks to reach our destination only to discover that the entire area was surrounded by barricades. Officials told us that they were not sure that we could get close to the Palace or that there would even be a Changing of the Guard. Our best chance would be to walk through St. James's Park and hope for the best. When we got inside the park I took this picture. I still don't know what is in the background, but I think it may be St. James's Palace where Charles and Camilla currently reside.
It was lined with porta-potties. We walked until we could actually see Buckingham Palace; at this point, there was another barricade. Many people lined the streets, but Glenn and I were somehow in a very good spot. A British bobby walked over and said in a very authoritative voice, "I'm going to say this one time. If you want to see the Changing of the Guard you will follow me right now." Needless to say, we did exactly what we were told. The stage and bleachers were all still in place from Monday night's concert, but workmen were trying very hard to disassemble it all.
We settled in near the Palace gate to watch whatever it was that they planned to do. I feel that what we saw was a somewhat modified version of the real Changing of the Guard, but it lasted a long time, and I'm not complaining.
Next on the agenda for the day was a visit to Westminster Abbey. Before we could begin our tour we had to find a place to eat lunch. Unfamiliar with that particular part of town we were hoping for a Caffe Nero, where we could feel at home. We did not find one; however, we did find a pub that was full of businessmen and women, so we knew it would be a good choice. Pub protocol is as follows: 1) You find a table; 2) You look over the menu and decide what you want to eat; 3) You go to the bar, order your food, and pay. When it is ready, someone brings your food to you. No tipping is expected.
Westminster Abbey was next on the agenda.
This has been the site of all British coronations since the 1000s. It is where Elizabeth married Prince Phillip and where William married Catherine. Unfortunately, all photography is prohibited inside the Abbey. Everyone is given an audio device in his or her language which allows you to walk around to specific stations, choose that number on the player, and listen to narration about that particular area.
Poet's Corner is an amazing part of Westminster. It is the burial place of many famous British authors like Chaucer and the Bronte sisters. Even Sir Laurence Olivier is buried there. The burial site we were most interested in finding, however, was that of Thomas Parr, who is said to have lived to the age of 152. Having traced Glenn's ancestry to London, we feel that Thomas must be a distant relative, but we do not believe that he was actually 152 when he died. Anyway, someone did; and because of that, he was laid to rest among all of the famous people in Poet's Corner. We searched and searched for his tombstone and were about to give up when I just happened to look down. I was standing on his final resting place.
Les Miserables was the icing on the cake for the day. We were exhausted and wanted desperately to go back to the hotel for a quick nap before heading to the Queen's Theater near Leicester Square, but we were afraid to chance the Tube at that time of day. Therefore, with over two hours to kill before it started, we visited the Rainforest Cafe for a leisurely light meal and then found a Ben and Jerry's to top it off. Our seats were on Row 12, and we were well-pleased with the performance. "One More Day" became our theme song for Friday since we were leaving on Saturday.
When we left the Queen's Theatre, we made our way to the nearby Tube Station and enjoyed seeing the beautiful lights of London's Theatre District. Late night on Wednesday. Early rise on Thursday. After all, we still had to see the British Museum and St. Paul's Cathedral.
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