Phase 10 -- Phases of London Life -- Experiences
Family Latest:
Ashley, Chris and Jackson headed back to the U.S. after their semester abroad in Spain. What a marvelous time we've shared together! Miss them already! They're headed for MBA graduation at University of Texas, for miscellaneous visits to family and friends, and then they will head on to California where they'll take up residence in the San Francisco Bay area as Chris begins work for Google and they await the birth of baby "Dos" in early September (She's a girl!). Lots of on-the-move for them for a while.
Justin and Elise have joined us and we're so happy they have come to play and continue to help London feel like home as we create memories together here! They've just left Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah where Justin has one more year of school in the strategy program at Marriott's Business School (Elise graduated from BYU last summer and is currently enjoying being a dental assistant). They're on their way from here (with a few stops to see family) to NYC for Justin's summer L'Oreal internship .
Elder Tyler is finishing up his 2-year church mission and is working hard, growing, and
was crazy about the work and the area; the second part of his mission has been in Brazil and he adores the people there and the place as much as he did Scottsdale. Basically, he just loves being a missionary, serving the Lord and going "pedal to the metal" as he puts it. He returns home to Atlanta on June 17th and heads back to BYU Provo in the Fall for "uni" (aka university) as they call it here in England.Tourist Times
London city exploration with a couple of our favorite, fun adventurers, Justin and Elise, has continued to be on the agenda big time and we've hit lots of the high spots in town with such as . . .
Changing of the Guard
Buckingham Palace's front roads boast the summer's almost daily ceremony of the changing of the guard. It is a spectacle of pageantry as the Queen's Guard enters adorned in boldly colored red tunics with white trim, gold buttons and the famously tall, black, bear hats. They step in perfect staccato movements. A Regimental Band marches into the area, instruments singing out regal-sounding music (and later plays such things as the theme songs to James Bond and Mission Impossible). With gold plumed helmets and breastplates glittering in the sun, the Queen's Life Guard arrives astride regal-looking ebony stallions. It's all quite the show and it's fantastic to see! Alas, the Queen was not in residence that day (which is indicated by which flag if flown at the palace. The Union Jack flag means she is not at home and the Royal Standard flag means she is there), so we did not stay at the Palace for tea time with her this time. ;)
Cinderella Wishes! (The Royal Mews)
These working stables are home to the royal collection of coaches, carriages and cars. And what grand conveyances they are! They include the Gold State Coach which has been used at every coronation since 1821 and is a spectacle of gold, glitz and velvet, the "convertible" coach which can be open-aired with no top, the Rolls Royce and various other carriages. Also featured is the Diamond Jubilee State Coach (Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee -- 60 years on the throne -- in 2012). It is stunning, includes a diamond-studded door handle and a box with a hundred artifacts from one thousand years of British history. Can't even imagine what kinds of "pumpkins" those coaches came from; Cinderella and her fairy godmother would be blown away!
A few horses were also stabled the day we visited. They are Windsor Greys and Cleveland Bay breeds -- beautiful animals! It was fun to find out the Queen has a great fondness for the horses and stables and actually helps name every animal there and, as an accomplished horsewoman, visits there as often as possible.
"Off with Her Head!" (Tower of London and White Tower)
What an amazing history this London icon has! The White Tower was built at the center of William the Conqueror's fortress around 1080. Through the years it has been a royal palace, prison, fortress, place of torture and execution, an armory, a Royal mint, a royal zoo and a jewel house. On our visit, Yeomen Warders or Beefeater tour guides regaled us with stories throughout time as we traversed the grounds and slipped into the exterior church, St. Peter ad Vincula, there. We also toured the simple, but historic St. John's chapel inside the Tower where the public is still invited to services on the first Sunday of each month. It is the oldest church in London.
Showcases of knight's and horses armor, Traitors' Gate, the actual chopping block where many (including King Henry VIII's wife Anne Boleyn) were beheaded, the fireplaces (which vented sideways so the smoke coming from them would not alert possible trespassers to someone at home and therefore an attack target), and, of course the torture chamber complete with the rack, etc. were some of the most interesting items to see.
But the topper was the famed Crown Jewels! They are truly something to behold. A moving sidewalk carries visitors past numerous pieces, dripping with jewels, velvet and ermine that capture the eye. But the main crown, scepter and golden orb are eye-popping! The heart of the display are the ceremonial pieces used in relation to coronations of English Kings and Queens. Those things include Sovereign crowns, rings, swords, bracelets, robes, orbs, and spurs, and an anointing spoon. These are called the "Regalia." It's a vast array of diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, pearls, gold and phenomenal craftsmanship. One of the most unbelievable gems is the scepter's 530 carat First Star of Africa diamond. Dazzling!
In addition, many golden goblets, salters and even a punch bowl big enough to bathe a small child in are displayed in cases surrounding the rooms, as are various other royal pieces such as Queen Victoria's head piece (a small domed crown) and several tiaras. Quite the sight for sure! If diamonds are a girl's best friend, the Queen has oodles of buddies!
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