Next we headed over to the Beefeaters tour for some history and "insider" stories from highly decorated retired military officers who are hilarious and charming. If you ever have the opportunity to visit these sights do this tour!!!
Erica, Dan, Justin, Jenessa, LeAnn and Scott outside the Tower of London
Erica, Dan, Jenessa and Justin
Justin and Jenessa with a Beefeater Tour guide. He was taking pictures with some oriental tourist right before we stepped up and was giving them a hard time about the peace sign they kept making. "Who wants peace? Let's do war" he said.
This is traitor's gate where prisoner's like Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Elizabeth, daughter of King Henry and Anne Boleyn, enter the Tower off the Thames River.
This is the Scaffold Site where Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard lost their heads after the king accused them of adultery and in Anne's case witchcraft as well. Jane Boleyn, Anne's sister in law was also executed here for arranging the affairs that Catherine Howard had. Only a few people lost their heads at this specific place. Most were taken to Tower Hill and executed at that site instead. I can't imagine loading up a picnic basket and heading out for the day to witness the execution of traitors and thieves for entertainment.
I don't remember what this building was used for specifically but it was my favorite.
In Beauchamp Tower was were prisoners were held waiting trial before they were most likely sent to Tower Hill for execution. Above is just one of many carving left behind by prisoners. Some were as simple as a name while others were elaborate representing their families of declaring their innocence.
In the White Tower Museum we saw the armor of King Henry VII from the time he was a
boy (above) to his robust days toward the end of his life.
Chopping block and ax. The ax used to execute usually weighted about 7 pound.
Tower Bridge
After a much need nap Justin and I headed out at sunset to walk down the Thames river by the Eye of London, and Big Ben which was literally outside our super awesome hotel. It was such a beautiful night with a spectacular sunset. The perfect ending to a perfect start of our vacation.
This was just down the street about a block from the Park Plaza West Minster Hotel, where we got a smoking' deal and would stay again. With 7 full days left we got something to eat in the restaurant in the hotel and headed to bed to rested for our day at the Tower of London.
I feel like I don't get very emotional when I blog very often but this one might do me in. My sweet, smart, loving, bundle of joy, Madisen took the first step of many in her journey to further her relationship with her Father in heaven and continuing her eternal progression here on earth when she chose to be baptized yesterday. I didn't realize just how many people had come to support my daughter until I walked into the Relief Society room and had a hard time finding a seat. Madisen beamed from just being baptized and was so excited to be confirmed and given the gift of the Holy Ghost and a blessing just for her from her Dad. All clean and dressed in white surrounded by friends and family she oozed pure JOY as she hugged those in the room with her. It was such a sweet spirit that filled our hearts and welcomed her as the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!
Waiting to go back she was nervous but her doctor and nurse and anesthesiologist were fantastic putting her at ease. It a was time to go to the OR and I went to take Piggy from her and the nurse let her keep her with her so that helped too.
