July 15/13

Spent our last day in London at the Tower. Had an entertaining tour guide who actually lives on the grounds as a condition of employment, and has done so for ten years. Saw the Crown Jewels of course, royal coins, armour worn by the kings, a chapel, the Bloody Tower containing 3 different methods of torture, and the spot where some kings and queens had their heads cut off. It was funny to see these old buildings next to the modern buildings outside the Tower.

Saw Phantom of the Opera in the evening and really enjoyed it. I was always sorry that we hadn't seen it when it played in Calgary, but in those days we didn't think we could afford it. Both the acting/singing and the special effects were very good.

After the show we realized that we were close to Buckingham Palace and tried to see it, but couldn't find the entrance in the dark. I saw it many years ago with my parents, and although it would have been nice to take the tour, it's closed for the month of July. This is why we didn't make a special effort to see it earlier.

My last memory of London I guess was to hear a young lad singing the Beatles song "Help" in the underground on our way back to the B&B, but unfortunately he didn't get the words right! This somehow seems especially wrong in London!

Leaving London tomorrow and picking up our rental car to head west.