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.....
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