Bus Tour in London

I had booked a bus/river tour today to cover the last few things on my must see list in London.

• River Cruise on the Thames
• Tower of London
• Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
• St. Paul's Cathedral.
• Afternoon tea at Harrod's Georgian Restaurant.

This tour company is the same firm that I went on the Paris trip with.

The tour guide Allan is certainly knowledgable about the things we are seeing.

We finished the cruise at London Bridge and walked up to the Tower of London. There was no waiting at the entrance and we met with the Yeoman Warder who was to be our guide for the first part of the tour.

He talked about the requirements for becoming a yeoman warder (22 years military service + at the least the rank of Sergeant Major).

Some of the history of the tower itself. Like most of these sights it has a gruesome history.

I didn't expect a polar bear  at the tower but this model of a polar bear represents a period when the tower was a zoo.

The traditional Ravens which inhabit the grounds of the Tower. The story is that the crown will fall if the Ravens leave. There wings are clipped so they can't fly away.

Two Panoramic views of the grounds of the tower

Got in the queue to view the Crown Jewels. A Very good exhibit including some animation of historical events. You view the crown jewels from a  moving walkway so people can't linger.

Moved onto the changing of the guard. The guide didn't try to get in front off Buckingham Palace but at the guards barracks just down the road so we saw  the guard from about 6 feet away.

Moved onto St. Paul's Cathedral. No photography is allowed inside. I decided to give the Whispering Gallery a go. It is 259 Steps up from ground level. Not that bad actually as they are very shallow steps (About half the height).

I don't like heights but I am getting better at dealing with it. The view from the whispering gallery of the whole cathedral floor.

Walked around the Cathedral Floor. It is a superb piece of architecture. I have seen a number of churches and cathedrals and this must be the most impressive.

Next stop was Harrod's Georgian Restaurant for afternoon tea.

Champagne followed by tea and scones. It was very good. The scones are not quit what you would find in Australia but very tasty. Got seated with two people from Canada (Father and Son). 

Looked through the store. Didn't seriously look at anything and decided to call it a day. Went to Knightsbridge Underground Station and skipped the first three trains as they were packed and coming at about 1-2 minute intervals going to Cockfosters or Arnos Grove on the Piccadilly line which passes Kings Cross.

Got back to Kings Cross.