Official Tourist

Here it is, folks!  The One With Pictures of a Too-Touristy To Live London Location!

THE TOWER OF LONDON.

I was here a few years ago, with a family group of 11. We didn't have the chance for the guided tour, so I made sure to sign up this time around. This was our Beefeater - a.k.a., Yeoman Warder, a.k.a., Ceremonial (though real) Guardian of the Tower. He'd been in the military long enough to qualify for this job, and apparently also thought he was a stand-up comedian.  We'll call him a "character" and leave it at that.  This is Traitor's Gate, the water-gate where supplies were brought in and prisoners transported through before trial/execution.  As we were neither supplies nor prisoners, we didn't actually get to go through.

 This is the building where the Crown Jewels are kept - I didn't know those people, but they didn't move out of the shot and I figured they looked British and/or touristy enough to keep.

A Tower raven - six are kept on the grounds at all times, since a prediction back in the 1600's said that if the ravens ever left the Tower, the Monarchy would fall.  One of the kings made it law to keep ravens around - not that he was superstitious or anything, JUST IN CASE.

Actors (not wax figures) in the re-creation of the Medieval Palace.  Middle Ages hair probably didn't look much better.

I seem to be a little obsessed with taking pictures of Tower (of London) Bridge.  It IS just on the other side of the wall, so I thought it made a cool shot.  Sue me.

The White Tower - the original and actual "Tower" of the Tower of London.  Built by William the Conquerer, it was designed to control the river, re-define the city skyline, and provide a place for massive parties.  Basically your kingly version of a midlife crisis symbol.

One of the thirteen towers built into the first wall around the complex. (There's a second, which also had a moat, though that was filled in in relatively recently when the then-Queen realized that the overflow from the Thames turned one of her royal residences into an open sewer. Oops.)

Outside the Tower complex - the walls used to sit flush up against the waters of the Thames. (See what I did there?)

Here's a night picture of the Tower Bridge. I think it turned out pretty well.

Just to prove I was actually there, and didn't get the pictures from Google! (No Photoshopping, just a good angle and lots of practice taking blind pictures with my left hand.)

To round off the day, I had my first experience with fish 'n chips. And let me tell you, not only was it pretty (isn't it PRETTY?!?) it was also delicious. I'm guessing this is not actually typical of the genre. I'll definitely look for a street cart next time!

It was a great day - I had a tour guide, an audio guide, a drizzle, a downpour, gawked at the Crown Jewels (no photos allowed), and picked up a postcard of the Queen. Doesn't get much more touristy than that!

And...  it's crossed off the list.  Check!