Just across the river is the Tower. McKenzie wanted to see the Crown Jewels more than anything. Cambrie wanted to see where the prisoners were beheaded. Kelton wanted to walk along the tower walls. And Daxton really wanted to chase some birds. I wasn't sure how we were going to squeeze it all in, but I thought we'd give it a whirl.
On our way in.
Once through the gates we saw the Beef Eater already starting his tour. We stood on the outskirts for about two minutes before we decided the kids were bored out of their mind because they couldn't hear what he was saying. Self-guided tour it is then!
We just made it through the gate when the Beef Eater passed us and we squeezed in for one stop by traitor's gate. We listened to the tales of the prisoners, clergymen, and queens who passed through those gates, then went off on our own again.
As we walked through through we tried our best to keep everyone dry. Daxton learned how to hold his own umbrella and it worked pretty well. Poor Leesa was soaked though!
Waiting in the line to see the crown jewels wasn't bad, but it was a little bit wet. While we waited we were happy to receive a visit from two of the seven tower's ravens. Legend has it that as long as there are two ravens living in the Tower, then it won't fall. I guess that means these two guys are good luck!
We snapped a picture of Kelton with one of the guards.
And Leesa grabbed a couple other Beef Eaters to get a picture with them.
No pictures of the crown jewels so this smile of McKenzie is all I have of her gasping at the gems, diamonds, and pure sparkliness of it all! Cambrie and I did our own fair share of gasping, ooohing and ahhhing. They looked fantastic!
While we stood in line, Leesa and Daxton stayed out in the courtyard chasing birds. The pigeons flew away, the ravens just stared at him thinking he was crazy.
After we came out of the Jewel House the rain was falling pretty hard so we took shelter in the White Tower. Inside there are displays of suits of armor, guns, swords, and cannons.
The boys thought this miniature suit of armor was meant just for them.
Back outside the rain calmed down enough that we walked along the inner wall. I thought the views were pretty neat. The kids wanted to splash in the puddles.
By now we reached that critical point in Daxton's routine where he becomes incredibly silly right before he crashes. He was chasing birds.
He was posing for the camera.
He was actually saying, "Cheese!" like a professional cheeser.
Time was of the essence to get him home and down for a nap but we still had to make it back to the tube station. He insisted on walking. Sometimes he would hold our hands, but sometimes for no reason at all he would spin in circles singing to himself. What a goof ball.
Here was the last picture I took of the Tower before leaving the grounds. Cambrie helped me edit it to make it look super spooky (she was slightly disappointed she didn't get to see the darker side of the tower. Maybe next time honey when it won't give you nightmares!)
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