I was really excited after reading the forecast for yesterday's weather: light snow was supposedly on the agenda for London! I wondered what to do with myself, should I stay warm at home ready to jump on the balcony and experience the snow should it fall? Or should I brave the chill and go out, and hopefully be able to capture the snow falling?
The novelty of staying warm at home didn't last long, so I decided I'd head out - this time I knew exactly where I wanted to go, though: the Tower of London. I visited here last time I was in England with Jason, and we did the standard tour and enjoyed the sights for a while - but for some reason, ever since arriving back on these shores, I've wanted to do it again. Jason wasn't particularly fussed, so I had already put it aside for one of my solo tourist days. Today worked out perfectly, a nice little half day outing.
It only took about 15 minutes to get there from home, as I caught the DLR (Docklands Light Rail) from my doorstep, straight there. The weather wasn't just cold, it was icy cold. Definitely different from every other cold morning I'd experienced here so far, and seemed perfect for snow. It quickly went from cold to freezing, I was wishing I'd put on a few scarves and extra layers! Cloudy skies, but no snow to be seen.
As I was waiting in the queue, these tourists behind me kept on trying to shove their way past me. I put on my best football linebacker stance, with my legs spread apart and my arms in my pocket, to block them from squeezing ahead of me, and thankfully it worked. I can't stand people who cut queues! I paid for my 16 quid ticket, and then hovered inside te gates out of the wind waiting for one of the Yeoman Warders.
This is the White Tower in all of it's glory. Can you spy any ravens in this photograph?
It was the same old tour, even with the same old jokes, but I still loved every second of it. I love all of the grizzly historical facts, I love exploring the old rooms, and I love standing in a place so old. In other words? I am a nerd. Forgive me?
The beef-eaters made jokes about it snowing, but alas.. snow it did not. It was still mighty cold though; and the guide I took a picture with made a joke about my fitting in with the snow should it start to fall, obviously because I am the palest Australian in the history of the world. (Even Englishmen are more tanned than I am!)
I spent a fair amount of time hiding inside the buildings within the Tower, because it was so bloody cold I could hardly think straight. Saw the Crown Jewels, the Armoury, some of the old quarters, and a few very expensive souvenir shops, before I decided I was done. Once exiting the site, there are some beautiful views of the Thames and London bridge, but sadly there was still no snow in sight.
I noticed a family a little further down the path that were taking pictures in front of London Bridge, and offered to take a picture for them. Thankfully I didn't drop their pretty camera, because my hands felt like chunks of ice at this stage. They repaid the debt, and took a picture of my whole body standing in front of the bridge.
And you thought I was just a giant floating head... tsk tsk.
I didn't see any snow, though. When I got back to the apartment, I thought it had begun to snow, but when I opened the window, it was drizzling instead. I also managed to break the window handle too, because I am a genius. I blame the snow.. or lack thereof.
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39 comments:
i have this insane desire to start singing 'london bridge is falling down .....'
i'm so proud of you being 'brave' and heading out on your own ... anyone hit on you today ???
love ya
miss ya
The more you post about this, the more I. Need. To. Visit. London. NOW.
I just love The Tower of London - so much history and violence there. It was the middle of winter when I last visited there too, but somehow the cold made it seem even more vivid (if that makes any sense).
I am having a great time reading your blog. :)
the jealousy is immense! I want to visit London, omg, WANT!
Nerd? I've already blogged about my love for anything pre-1700. I only saw Heathrow for 5 hours while I was in London (and couldn't even figure out the showers!)
If you want, read "Innocent Traitor" about Lady Jane Grey - Queen for 9 days. Sorry honey, but I'm too vodka laden to look for the author - a novelized historical novel. Not yawn-worthy at all (unless you like dates and such.) - but an excellent read for that time. I learned a lot.
Gah, Tower of London! I am so jealous! Must get back to London ASAP and finally go.
Here's hoping you see some snow soon! Just you wait ...soon you'll walk past the London Bridge and Tower and think "bleh, it's just the bridge and tower" like a local! :D
You are really cramming in a lot of sight-seeing in the short time that you've been there.
This bit should really go to the comments on your previous post but what would be interesting would be if you'd visit good and cheap eateries and photog them and the food. Heck, I'd do that even if I wasn't asked! Hahah!
Ppl have always made fun of English food but I believe that there are good food out there, even if it's Anglo-Indian. ;)
OMG I'm so jealous. The pictures are gorgeous, old places, historical tour...wow wow!
You are so cute in those pictures! But as I was reading I just kept thinking that you need a cute winter hat to keep you warm!
Cool! Cool! Did you see Tower Green? Any details about poor Queen Anne Boleyn?
Keep this up! Please??? It's like cybertravel. :)
Cybertravel. HAH. Good phrase 'The Mouse'... YES keep it up!
Loving it.
You sound like you've definitely made yourself at home already... with those "bloody tourists" and all! How DARE they!
I love all your pictures so far, they look gorgeous... professional looking!
I'm not used to you being in a different timezone...
I am so jealous right now but a bit appeased by the fact that you share your experience. It kind of feels like we got some sightseeing done as well.
Had to laugh because you really seem to be the palest Australian ever.
Come and visit us - we've had loads of the stuff for two days now! (Well, not "loads" exactly, but you'll soon discover that even the slightest smattering of snow makes the entire UK grind to a halt...)
Love the Tower pictures. It's my number one "must visit next time I'm in London" things, because I have a weird obsession with the Tudors at the moment. I've only ever stood outside it before (didn't have time to go in), so am crazy jalous that you got to wander around!
I am loving living vicariously through you and all your fun touristy outings!
I would've gone out too but I would've looked like a sherpa on some long excursion, you would've wondered if I had a body for all the layers. I am amazed at your lack of them!
Lovely photos and ravens are my fave.
Well then I must be a nerd too because I love everything history :) Also, your hair looks so nice and shiny and long!
Cross those two of your London List!
I am amused at how the beefeater is gesturing to the right, as though he is about to do a magic trick.
I'm turning green with jealousy. Lucky dog.
These pictures are absolutely fantastic! And ditto about your hair :)
LOVE your pictures!
Wonderful! It really, really is like cybertravel. And I am a day late, but here are a few places I'd go if I could while there:
Kensington Palace
St. James Palace
St. Paul's Cathedral
Cleopatra's Needle on the Victoria Embankment
V & A Museum (the Golden Age of Couture exhibit is almost over!)
You realize that within a few months (or weeks? or even days?) a large percentage of the blogosphere is going to be packing it up and heading across the pond (pond? who made up THAT term?) to visit the town made famous by the queen, those police officers on horses, the london bridge and miss alyndabear. Love these posts!
xox
I just have to believe that it's a trick of that camera that makes you seem pale. How did you manage to reflect all that light? So glad you got a friendly person to take your picture for you. When I was traveling alone, I had many of the shadow of me taking the picture. That gets old after a while!
Gorgeous pic of you, with the Beefeater. Did you see the female Beefeater - the first one ever - that started work at the tower recently.
i was beginning to wonder if you had legs! ;)
Wait so you get no snow in Australia?
Really?
I hate the snow... maybe I will move there!
I found the address for SeaBass. 40 James St., London. Go there...it's seriously good and not at all pricey! :)
I loved the Tower of London, too. Sigh. If the dollar wasn't so crappy right now, I'd come visit you!!
So jealous. Boo!
looks like you're having a great time so far. i love your pictures!
The Tower was my favorite part of my trip to London !! I LOVE grizzly facts too and I LOVED the crowned jewels. Too cool.
Good to see your legs again...I WAS thinking you were just a head. Off with her head! (Ok, I am SUCH a loser)
If you are the palest Australian, then I am definitely the palest American. We should start an international club for people like us.
Also, you look great...you ALWAYS look great, but I think you lost a bunch of weight, didn't you?
Ok, umm, Aly, you are in the NORTHERN hemisphere now??? And, um, it gets really cold up here???? Maybe your Nan can knit you a hat and send it up quick. Get yourself some layers and woolies! Do you have good boots?
Really, I am so enjoying your blog, and I am so proud of you! I wish I had been as brave and as together when I was your age! I love seeing what it has done for your confidence. You GO GIRL!!!!!
Come over to Ohio sometime!
Auntie Pam
OH, and about paleness, cause I'm right there with ya. A coworker, who is of English descent like me, has a daughter who went to school in England, and married and stayed there. When her daughter first arrived she told her mom she felt right at home, because everyone was as pale as she is! Ended up marrying a guy from her grandmother's home town, too... full circle kinda thing... thank goodness they weren't third cousins or something...
Keep the sunscreen on. 20 years from now, when you look 10 years younger than your schoolmates, you'll be SO thankful! My age came up recently at a work function, the managers all thought I was younger!
Auntie Pam again.
The pictures are fantastic! I'm very jealous but very happy for you. More! More!
Nice. Though, without being too technical, isn't that Tower Bridge you're in front of, not London Bridge?
just sayin'...
You are so lucky to be near all this great stuff to see and do. I'm so jealous!
Oooh! The Tower! This is bringing back memories of my nine day trip to London after high school graduation :D
Can't wait to read about more adventures!
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