London: Tower of London

We packed up Tuesday morning and took our bags down to the hotel's holding closet before walking to the Tower of London. I'd visited on my first trip to London, with JT, in 2001, but hadn't been back since. It's castle, fortress, prison, center of government and museum, holding all manner of fascinating pieces of English history.

Here, we're in front of the White Tower, built by William the Conqueror in the late 11th Century. Now, it's a main part of the museum attraction, with the Royal Armouries and much more inside.

We had to start our day with a tour of the grounds with a Yeoman Warder, who gave us great stories and details with typical dry humor.

Two of the many centuries-old suits of armor, which have been on display for hundreds of years to tourists like us!

The 12th century Valasse Cross was on display, on loan from a French museum for one year. It's bedecked with precious stones from Egypt, Iran, India and beyond, with a relic said to be from Christ's cross inset into the gold.

The cross was displayed here in St John the Evangelist's chapel, within the White Tower. Built as a place of worship for William the Conqueror, it held medieval church services for the royals, and fills the same role today. It is a majestic space.

Above, a bedroom fit for king! King Edward I, to be precise, who reigned in the 13th century. 

We're posing together in the throne room of Wakefield Tower. 

We really enjoyed this day together, learning a lot in our 4-5 hours on the grounds. We toured the rooms used by Sir Walter Raleigh while he was imprisoned at the Tower, and we also saw other prison and torture exhibits.  
 

A crowd gathered to watch the lower bridge go up, to let a tall ship - looked like a wooden old Tall Ship - go through.

Tidbits

 Stace and I went into Yeovil on Monday, to get him a dress shirt for the wedding and handle some banking at the NatWest there. 

While we were out, Sue and Gord took the girls to the Treasurer's House in Martock, a tiny National Trust place that has limited hours because it's still a private residence. 

They also went over to Montacute House, and had scones.

On Tuesday, Stace and I went to Langport with Sue and Gord, and had lunch from this great little bakery we discovered the week before. We enjoyed our meal by the river - the weather has been amazing!

On Tuesday evening, we went to Karen and Martin's house, where she made dinner for us and we enjoyed catching up.

Here, Violet is showing Karen some of her recent digital artwork.

On Wednesday, Stace and Cora went for bike ride in the morning. Later, Stace, Violet and I rode to Mulcheney, to the pottery gallery. We then drove to Martock, to see the art gallery. Stace got some new prints for our dining room walls. We then went into the precinct, and found this fluffy, friendly tortie.

We also got treats at the Bakery Roy-Al, a Martock favorite.

Here's something you definitely don't see in SClarita - a pony and trap going along the main street.

In the afternoon, Stace and I walked to Auntie Doreen's house, and then she took us to a car and tractor show at a pub in Langport. We met up with the family and had Greek food from the on-site food truck.

Morning Out: Muchelney Abbey

 On Tuesday morning, Stace and I rode bikes to Muchelney Abbey, where we met up with Sue and Violet to take a tour of this local landmark. Like most other abbeys, the actual 8th century abbey was torn down by Henry VIII, but the 16th century Abbot's House was intact and we were able to tour it here.

Nearby was the thatched lavatory used by the monks - interesting to see that kind of history, and glad we now have indoor plumbing!

The walls of this hallway were lined with artifacts from the abbey.

The parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul next door was open, and also worth a look. It was built in the early 1400s and features a beautiful painted ceiling and medieval windows. This tile floor dates from the 12th century! The tiles had been in the Lady Chapel at the abbey next door.

The history here, just a short bike ride from home, is amazing.

Day Out: Bath

Bath! An outstanding city. We brought the girls here in 2016, and Cora had fond memories and wanted to return (see posts here and here from that trip).

On our trip Wednesday, we again paid for entry to the Roman Baths, since the girls are now eight years older than last time. It's such a great museum. Did you know, the water behind us is green because of algae, but in Roman times, there was a roof, so the water would have been clear?

I think Stace did a nice job with this photo.

The hot springs still flow, but Cora wasn't that impressed with the warm, sulfuric water.

We met back up with Nan and Pop, found some lunch, and then walked over to the weir and Pulteney Bridge.

We decided to not pay to enter Bath Abbey, though it's an impressive building.

We happened upon an amazing bookstore, and both girls found books to buy.

We enjoyed a lovely train ride home through the countryside.

Day Out: Glastonbury

 After a couple of low-key days in Kingsbury, Stace borrowed Dean's car, and we had an adventure day in Glastonbury.

I've been to Glastonbury several times, but I believe this is the first time we've paid to enter the Abbey grounds. It was so worth it! We explored for a while, and then met up with a tour guide for a narrated look around.

We posed with the Auto Club's magazine; they have a featured spot each issue with readers on vacation. We'll see if they run our photo.

The architecture was amazing. This doorframe had carvings showing the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

A Christian community has been here since the 700s, and the abbey was first built in the 1200s after an 1184 fire destroyed the earlier structure. Henry VIII tore them down after breaking from the Catholic church, and actually murdered the abbot. So disgusting!

The Abbott's kitchen still stands intact on the left. 

The tour guide was very informative and entertaining.

This is the supposed grave of legendary King Arthur and Guinevere, who make up a huge part of the Glastonbury aura. The finding of the graves in the 1200s brought tourists, and funds, for the rebuilding after the fire.

It was a chilly day, but not too cold for cider and apple juice, from apples grown in the abbey's orchard!

We also enjoyed the abbey's museum, pond and gardens

We then rested for a bit, and then left the abbey and walked to the foot of the Glastonbury Tor. We finished the long walk up, to the tower at the top, and admired the views.

St. Michael's Tower dates from the 15th Century.

On our walk back to the car, Stace and I peeked in at the Glastonbury Tribunal, a 15th Century merchant's house. History is everywhere!

We stopped on our way back home at Wells. Here is the moat, with swans and cygnets, at Bishop's Palace, next to the cathedral.

We showed the girls 14th Century Vicars Close, the oldest purely residential street in Europe.

This wasn't Violet's first time here - JT and I had a day out in Wells in 2010, with a tiny Violet.

It was getting dark, but we walked around the beautiful cathedral. 

It was a great day out together.