Westminster Abbey

Disclaimer: yesterday was not sunny. I took this photo in June.
My Tuesday outing this week was to Westminster Abbey. I cant believe I've lived here this long and haven't toured through there yet, but the cost is 12 GBP per person and it's just expensive to take the kids in when they don't even really want to go in. Well, my friend and I toured the whole thing, listened to the audio guide and just took it all in. I think it held my interest much more now that I've read so much about British history. Knowing who the monarchs are - who the Tudors are - why it's controversial that Elizabeth I and Mary are buried in the same tomb. Why it's important that Mary Queen of Scots is buried where she is, etc.

I even saw 3 different references and photos of the Bayeux tapestry which is what I toured with my parents in Normandy, France. I've seen the actual tapestry and know why it's important to Westminster Abbey and how the stories intertwine. I am just a nerd that I love making all those connections and having "a-ha" moments.

I always get a kick out of the green, green grass here in England.

The mid day of a Tuesday in the Fall is a great time to go to Westminster Abbey in case you're wondering. Light crowd and you could get up close to see anything you wanted to study.

I was so impressed with the sheer amount of memorials, cripts, etc. in the Abbey. It's like a storehouse of all the famous people of Britain. More of a indoor cemetary than church. No disrespect, but almost like stuffing your garage full of stuff - important stuff, but hardly spaced out so you can appreciate it. PACKED full of statues. An overwhelming mass of history.

I would have never imagined the state of disrepair of the coronation chair. Hard to believe that it is carved with graffiti all over it like it was stored at the back of the teen room in the church for centuries, but they still use it as the throne for every coronation, even now.

We ended the day with a quick swing through the Jewel Tower (not to be confused with Tower of London where the jewels are kept). It was small and only took about 15 min.

Lunch at Wagamama was a perfect ending and we headed out on the train.

check, check. Working on my list.