tower of london

First day without guides in London - and we spent almost all of it at the Tower of London! It was very exciting to see our first real castle.... we were lucky enough to come across a tour the moment we walked in, and our Yeoman warder lead us around describing the history of what we were seeing. (Lots of gruesome stories) we saw the crown jewels which looked like $2 shop fakes......but we totally loved the white tower - built in 1080! exactly how you imagine a castle to be! huge dining halls with wooden beam roofs, a church built into the castle, small windows, spiral staircases, armoury of all kinds (including henery the eighth's armour with a mound in the groin - very large - we think it was just vanity!) We spent ages walking around, along the castle walls, climbing the towers, with carvings from those that were awaiting execution.......the ravens with their clipped wings ( to prevent the doomed prophecy) roman walls that have been there for 2000 yrs, the whole thing was so awesome.

We then caught a tube to the Salvador Dali exhibit, which was lots of scribbles and sketches and bugger all actual paintings - we were a bit disappointed.....we thought the sculptures were great though....

We then walked down by the Thames, past bookstalls, skaters, buskers, the london eye, to the Tate modern. we had a really good look through it, and our favourite thing was a curiosity cupboard filled with items found in the banks of the thames.....so interesting!

a very packed full day.....we had a ball!