Sunday, May 6, 2018

The Two Towers

Apologies for the J.R.R. Tolkien fans among us who tuned in here looking for a recap of the Battle of Helm's Deep.  This post is actually about our family exploration of a pair of different towers in London - SkyGarden and the Tower of London.
SkyGarden at 20 Fenchurch Street is considered the best free view of the London landscape from high atop the skyline.  It's located in a building known by many as the Walkie Talkie, because of its distinctive shape, larger at the top than at the bottom.
Heather took us to the top floor, which boasts a landscaped garden, bar and restaurant.
The SkyGarden is directly across the Thames from the Shard, another popular vantage point, though not in the same price range in terms of access.
For us, it provided an opportunity for some family downtime, and some great skyline shots
From there, we moved on to the nearby All Hallows by the Tower, which, with a 675 AD construction, is considered the oldest church in London.
From its website, the church was founded by the Abbey of Barking 300 years before the adjacent Tower of London.
Over the centuries, the church cared for numerous beheaded bodies brought there for temporary burial following their executions on Tower Hill.
Fun fact:  John Quincy Adams, our 6th U.S. President was married in this church in 1797.
The church suffered extensive bomb damage during World War II, and only the tower and walls remained.  It was rebuilt after the way and rededicated in 1957.
For Andrew, exploring the crypt beneath the church provided him with another album cover opportunity
On to the Tower of London, and yet another family shot 
Also known as Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, this is an historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames.  It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England, and currently houses the Crown Jewels.
Nearby, the Tower Bridge provided a nice backdrop for even more family shots.
The Tower Bridge was built about 120 years ago to ease road traffic and provide access to the Pool of London docks.  It's built with giant movable roadways that lift up for passing ships.
Sadly, it's one of the places I would have liked to log some running miles, but it wasn't in the cards.
We had a standing appointment for one of several High Teas that Heather had arranged for us, so we had to high-step it to get to Picadilly Circus and a standing reservation.
But not before Andrew took time to Hail Caesar! 
Next up: scones, as far as the eye can see!
Oh, and here's the Battle of Helm's Deep, anyways.  Because, you know, Lord of the Rings.

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