Tower of London, Changing of the Guard, Globe Theater

What an incredible day!!! It started off with a private tour of the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels!  We were so lucky to be able to go in by ourselves. We had a great history lesson and we could actually hear the guide!  We were also able to spend real time viewing the Crown Jewels rather than being rushed along by a mass of humanity!  By the time we left, there was a 45 minute wait to get in to see the Jewels!  We had a wonderful Warden-- the lady in the red outfit -- was our guide 6 years ago and we had her again today. She is the first and only female Warden who lives at the tower.  Her name is Moira and she was wonderful!  We were even treated to scones, tea, coffee and pastries after our tour of the Jewels.  Moira took us up in the Tower to a "board room" that was set with all the aforementioned "goodies"!

After this wonderful tour, our guide took us to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.  We also were able to see the Changing of the Horse Guard!  Walking to see the Horse Guard, we passed a huge entourage filming a TV show, Top Gear, with about 100 unusual cars...After  the guard changing and listening to the regimental band, we went to one of the oldest London Pubs for lunch, The George Inn, which had delicious "pub" food.

Then we were off again to Shakespeare's Globe Theater which is currently rehearsing Macbeth.  We actually saw the actors rehearsing their spots and movements on the stage. The Globe is an outdoor theater.  When asked what happens when it rains, we were told the show just continues...it's really only the stage and the actors who would get wet.  Most of the seats are under a roof.  There is a "standing only" area where people purchase tickets to see the Elizabethan plays, but they stand for the three hour performance--- just like they did in Shakespeare's time.  

Tonight we had a GREAT treat.  Trey discovered that there was a dinner play of Faulty Towers-- the BBC TV show was one of our favorites. The original Basil Fawlty of the hotel Fawlty Towers was played by John Cleese.  In the TV series the characters were Mr. Basil Fawlty and his wife, Sybil who owned a hotel In the English countryside.    There was also a waiter from Spain (Manuel) who speaks almost no English.  The three actors that played these  characters were FANTASTIC!  It is a great show and everyone there laughed from the beginning to the end.  Everyone from age 86 to 3 laughed and enjoyed the comedy!  They were serving us dinner in "Fawlty Towers" hotel.  Actually, several of us complained our cheeks hurt from laughing so hard and so much!! It was a GREAT, fun evening and we would all highly recommend this dinner theater--The Torquay Suite Theater at the Charing Cross Hotel!!  Gaby LOVED the show and the actors, (particularly Brian) who played Manuel, loved her!!  He came to our table after the interactive show was over and said he was so taken with her that he missed some of his cues!!!

Tomorrow we are off to Wimbledon (Bill, Mimi, Mary, Grant and me) while Trey, Annette and Gaby continue to explore London sights.  Perhaps the zoo or the Aquarium?  They will decide tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing Center Court action tomorrow of Federer, Sharipova and Andy Murray.  Nadal  is playing the second match on Court 1 but I'm sure it will be hard to find a seat!    More tomorrow evening!  Until then, know that all, young, old and in-between are having a BLAST!