London. Take 1.

In 1841 the tunnel beneath the Thames River in London was finally completed.  It was the first known tunnel beneath a body of water.  In 1869 it was purchased by the underground railway and the steam trains immediately started rolling through it.  It still remains part of the underground system today.

Thus I arrived in London 172 years later for the International Tunneling Awards with my tunneling husband.

Wintry gray skies greeted us as the plane taxied down the runway.  Soon we would be piling into the "carriage" and cruising down the wrong side of the road into the city.

Darkness was rapidly descending when the doorman in his top hat and long, tailed coat greeted us at our hotel, so we made a quick change and walked to Oxford street which was bustling with shoppers.  Hungry, we dove into the first restaurant we found.  It was a lucky find, as the Italian fare was utterly delightful!

Later in the evening, we stepped inside our first pub--welcoming the warmth.  Wooden planks lined the floor and hues of red and gold adorned the walls and elaborate drapes hung round the windows.  Though the cozy room was filled with people, voices merely murmured around us--very different than noisy American restaurants and bars.  Pubs are oft referred to as gathering houses, and it was obvious that drinking was not the primary purpose of the patrons.

Back at the hotel, we tried to sleep during the hours we generally are awake--very tricky!

Early the next morning, the adventure began on the Red Bus Tour where we were perched at the top of the double decker bus in the front row which granted us great views of London.  Our guide sat with us, as we were the only patrons for the first hour.  We listened closely to his stories, as we adjusted to the British accent.  We rolled by all the famous scenes of London.

The curved street and buildings exemplified the adaptions of a city settled long ago before roads were filled with cars. 

In Trafalger Square, we saw the Blue Rooster which a female sculpture contributed to offset all the military statues.  She is appealing to the British sense of humor, as the blue color and the animal represent France.  Trafalger Square is named after the 1805 Battle of Trafalger when Britain defeated France.

Falconry keeps the pigeons at bay in the square--and a fine of £500 for feeding the birds.

We stepped off the bus at Buckingham Palace and joined the throngs of people outside the palace gates.    The horse guard trotted down the road.

After snapping a few photos, we walked down the sidewalk towards the pier. Ron noticed the horse guard lining up a few blocks away, so we detoured and watched the changing of the horse guard.

We resumed walking to the pier and waited for our ferry ride to the Tower of London.  The deep voice of Big Ben began to reverberate above us--twelve times.

From the river Thames, we drifted by the London Eye, the Globe, the oldest pub, and as our ride drew nigh we had a spectacular view of the Tower Bridge.

Debarking at the pier, we walked up to the Tower of London. The castle maze started with the original structure in the center erected in 1080.  The massive stone rooms were cold and grey.  The stairs wound up the towers.  Walking along the outer castle walls overlooking the moat, we could survey the area.  We were treading over 933 years of history and where the kings and queens had trod.  The tower aptly named, the Bloody Tower, had final words etched in the stones from prisoners before they met their fate--reminded us of barbaric times in history.  Juxtaposed nearby were the Crown Jewels.  A massive display of Knights' Armor--including some that belonged to the kings that once lived at the tower of London.  Growing weary, we stopped to dine at the Raven's Kiosk.  Charles II decreed that six ravens should always guard the Tower of London otherwise, according to legend, the white tower will fall and  terrible disaster will befall England.  Nonetheless, the warm pot pie gave us strength to carry on our journey!

The outer castle walls appear to be lined with crosses--my impression that it was religious protection was quickly corrected when I learned that they are accesses for archers to protect the castle.

Wearily we trudged to the bus stop as the sun started to slip lower in sky.

For dinner we enjoy fish and chips at nearby pub, as I sipped on my first glass of mulled wine.

Hotel. Sweet. Hotel.