UK 2006
Ten delightful days with my daughter touring London and the Highlands of Scotland
- May 26th through June 4th -

The Tower of London has been the setting for many great events during its 900-year history as a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, arsenal, mint, menagerie and jewel house. (excerpted from the Tower of London website)

No visit to the UK would be complete
without a comprehensive tour of the Tower of London.
Thanks to our impassioned and informed Beefeater guide,
Jennifer and I got a fascinating crash course
on this impressive royal compound and its role in English history.
 

Having emerged from the Tower Hill Underground stop across the street,
we paused for some quick photos before getting our tickets.
The curved corner battlement with its merlons and embrasures is Legge's Mount.
Directly behind that is Devereux Tower.
The tallest two spires in the far background are on the White Tower,
the oldest structure in the compound, dating back to William the Conqueror.

Like his Beefeater brethren, this Yeoman Warder is a retired
sergeant-major with over 25 years on active duty, one of 36 who live inside the Tower.
The rapt and amused expressions say it all:  he was quite the raconteur.

The primary functions of the Tower from the 1070s until the late 19th century
were to provide a base for royal power in the City of London
and a stronghold to which the Royal Family could retreat in times of civil disorder.

Click here to continue your tour of the Tower of London complex
and to learn more of its history.


To see more of our trip, click on the links below:

LONDON
London Home Page
Chelsea Flower Show
Tower of London - Part Two
The British Museum
Billy Elliot - The Musical

SCOTLAND
Trafford Bank Guesthouse
Discovering Loch Ness - Part One
Discovering Loch Ness - Part Two
Cawdor Castle - Part One
Cawdor Castle - Part Two

Note:  each page includes links to each of the others

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Encouraging words are always welcome at
johndallasbowers@verizon.net