"With A Little Help From My Friends" at Buckingham Palace

Queen Victoria was the very first monarch to live in Buckingham Palace in the year 1837.

Horse drawn carriages are common place all over London but especially near Buckingham Palace.

You can rent them for weddings.  This is the Drayhorse Shires and these coachmen arrive in traditional attires.  Packages start at 599 Sterling Pounds....about $1200. plus dollars.  Yikes.

Buckingham Palace in London.  One of the busiest spots in the city.  It is the principal residence of the reigning monarch which of course is Queen Elizabeth II.

The Changing of the Guard is daily or every other at 11:30 am and takes about 45 minutes.

Police checking the visitors to Buckingham Palace.  Does that fellow look familiar??

Pouring rain will not deter us from missing the Changing of The Guard.

Fun 'people watching' while waiting for the festivities.

Fun to be had...even if you are doing your job.

I believe these are 'The Life Guards.'  Formed by King Charles II in 1672.  They always ride black horses, wear scarlet tunics and metal helmets with white plumes.

Standing on guard waiting for the change.

The local Bobbies sharing information with the crowds of what is going to happen next during the Changing of The Guard.

The honour and privilege of protecting and guarding the Queen belongs to the Household Troops or 'the Guards.'  This duty has been in place since 1660.

I'm not looking behind me....is there a lot of people??

The Regimental Band playing traditional music during the 'Guards' change of duties.

There are five regiments in the Household Division.  They include the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards, the Scot Guards, the Irish Guards, and the Welsh Guards.

I believe these are the Scots Guards.

This Military Band played the theme song from 'Star Wars' and a Bruno Mars song.

What a fantastic trip with our 4 peeps from Owl Lake.

Thank you until the next time!!!

"This Boy" at Whitehall, Trafalgar Square and Evensong

As we left the Churchill War Rooms along Whitehall Road we came upon the 'Horse Guards.'

This regiments is called 'The Queen's Life Guard.'  They have stood guard at the Horse Guard, the official entrance to St. James and Buckingham Palace, since the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660.

Including armed police officers.

If you want to see the Changing the Queen's Lifeguard it happened at 1600 hrs everyday.  There are no fences or barriers here and you can get right up close.  But be aware, the horses can bite or get agitated.

Deb and I stopped here for lunch in a pub we have enjoyed on a previous trip to London.  Yummy fish and chips.

Heading forward along Whitehall we came to Trafalgar Square.  The monument that catches your eye is of Admiral Horatio Nelson.  A famous British officer who served in the Royal Navy.  Known for his courage and leadership skills.  His finest hour was when he defeated Napoleon at The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.  Unfortunately he lost his life at that battle.

The monument is 51.6 meters tall with an 18 foot statue of Admiral Nelson.

Trafalgar Square is one of London's main tourist attraction.  Originally it was the stables and courtyard of the Palace of Whitehall.  It was opened to the public in 1844.

So much to see there.  Fountains, sculptures, statues, the National Gallery, St. Martin in the Field church and the National Portrait Gallery.

A selfie with the Admiralty Arch in the background.  This is the entrance to The Mall which ends at Buckingham Palace.  A fabulous walk.

This arch was commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother Queen Victoria.

The inscription along the top reads, in Latin,

'in the tenth year of King Edward VII, to Queen Victoria, from most grateful citizens, 1910.'

I love this shot.  I am standing at a pedestrian stop while the cars, including the black cabs, race by me? Yikes.

Nothing deters the Londoners from Afternoon Tea...not even rain.

Across the street from Westminster Abbey.

Westminster Abbey was founded in 960 by Benedictine monks.

Westminster Abbey....going in for Evensong.  This is a worship ceremony that all can attend after 5pm, free of charge, at the Abbey.  The Choir of Westminster sings at this service.  The choir consists of 30 boys who all attend the Abbey's dedicated residential Choir School.  They are fantastic.

Famous people attend this service.  Hey...there's Lyn and Dennis Reimer from Canada!!!

And isn't that Roger and Ruth Pye from Canada as well?

And a repeat visit by Canadians Angela and Debbie.....

Fun Photos

A British outdoor toilet in the middle of a busy intersection near the tube station.

I love the look on the face of the Conductor of this marching band at the Changing of The Guards at Buckingham Palace.  He takes his job very seriously.

Getting lots of advertisement for the next James Bond movie.

"We All Live In A Yellow Submarine" inside The Churchill War Rooms

The Churchill War Rooms is a must for anyone interested in History and/or World War II.  A little tricky to find only because it is literally underground beneath the Treasury Building off Whitehall Road in London.

It looks like everyone just left for lunch.  

Sir Winston Churchill was the Prime Minister of the UK from 1940-1945 and from 1951-1955.  

Believed by many to be one of the Greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century.

"The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion.  Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."  

Sir Winston Churchill

"If you're going through hell, keep going."  Sir Winston Churchill

The Cabinet War Rooms in the underground bunker.

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak.  Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."  Sir Winston Churchill

A map used during the war still hangs in the Map Room.

The Cabinet War Rooms construction began in 1938 and was operational in 1939 shortly before the outbreak of World War II.

"This is the room from which I will direct the war."  Sir Winston Churchill

  Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week for years during World War II.  Protected by thick steel enforcements to protect the governing body during the bombing Blitz in London by the Germans.

The Map Room has remained exactly as it was left on the day the light s were switched off in 1945.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal:  it is the courage to continue that counts." 

 Sir Winston Churchill

Sir Winston Churchill died on January 24th, 1965 at age 90.  Queen Elizabeth II granted him the honour of a state funeral.  

The War Rooms are located to the right of the stairs, under the awning.

"We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills;  we shall never surrender."  Sir Winston Churchill

"Can't Buy Me Love" in Harrods Oh Yes You Can

Harrod's in London is actually one of London's main tourist attraction.  Built between 1901-1905 it covers over 5 acres of land.  With 7 floors it has over 1,000,000 square feet of space.

Tourists???  I think so.

The beautiful and iconic green awnings on Harrod's department store.

A memorial to Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed is on the first floor of Harrod's near the Egyptian exhibit.

On my way back to the hotel, I found this neat Pub only a few blocks away.  I suggested we go there for dinner and it was pretty yummy.

One of my favourite places to shop when I visit London is Partridges.  I purchased a burlap grocery bag there.  They sell everything from wines, to cheese, to teas, to fudge, as well as a ton of food souvenirs and a Cafe to sit and watch the world go by.  It has the distinction of having a Royal Warrant, which means it holds the highest standard of service.  Partridges also supplies the Royal household.....Betty and Phil to be precise.  I highly recommend a pop in there when you travel to London.

"Come Together" on The Beatles Tour

Lyn, Dennis, Deb and I set off for an adventure to find Abbey Road and the home of Paul McCartney while visiting London.  It was a rainy day...but it didn't deter us as we were all excited.

We are going the right way!

It took many takes for us to get the ironic photo of the four of us crossing Abbey Road like the Beatles did.  Traffic was busy and many tourists doing the exact same thing.

Dennis and Lyn outside the recording studio where the Beatles produced their songs.

"Abbey Road" was the groups 11th album.

Gorgeous umbrella Lyn!

Not sure of the importance of this address?  Well he was one of four in a British music group that took the world by storm?

#7 is the home of Paul McCartney.  We didn't ring the door bell but I'm sure he knew we were there?

"Getting a wee bit wet out here Paul?"

Better peek at his home....and who are those two hanging out in front?

Next stop........

The Beatle Store in London.  Dennis was happy about that!

This is the Tube stop for Abbey Road and Paul's home.

It is a loooonnnnngggg way down to get to the tube.  Yikes.

Practice shots at Abbey Road.  Dennis checking out.

Lyn with a 'few of her friends' practicing at Abbey Road.

What a fun day that was.  We loved it and I believe Dennis and Lyn really enjoyed themselves as well.

Can't wait to go again.