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Monday, August 04, 2014

Tower Bridge, Tower of London and the Thames!

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Someone please pinch me, because I can’t believe that our hotel is within walking distance of the “Queen’s Walk”  that goes right along the Thames river!  And within walking distance is London’s magnificent icon ---Tower Bridge.



And yes, you can go right up on the bridge, it is very pedestrian friendly…and cross the bridge on foot.  You can buy a ticket to tour the towers themselves, if you want.

On the other side of the Thames is the Tower of London.

So much history happened here.  And here I am in the middle of it.

If you have a chance to take a tour like this, do NOT miss it.  We are always waiting for “some day”.  But what I’ve found is that I need to be young enough to do it to do it well, the way I want to.  To really live this experience.  I don’t want  to wait until I can’t get around the way I do now.  These moments and these memories are priceless to me.

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Cone flowers grow in a garden area called “Potters Field” near Queen’s Walk.

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Hello, Beauties!

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Modern buildings on our hotel side of the Thames.

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The ultra modern heart of London in the distance across the water.

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Up on the bridge as dusk is falling.

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Not a great photo, but hey, I’m here!

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What a gorgeous night!

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Tower of London  on the other side after crossing.

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What an imposing structure!

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The red are ceramic poppies, a memorial for the 100th anniversary of WWI.

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The poppies are still being installed..the exhibit doesn’t start for a couple days yet!

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Last afternoon and evening we had time to explore a bit on our own.  I found myself back across the bridge, fish n chips in hand for dinner ----and I sat there on a bench, solo,  people watching and just contemplating.

You just never know where life will take you if you go out and explore it! 

This moment is forever embedded in the book of my life.  August 3, 2014 ---when Bonnie sat on a beautiful evening in front of the Tower of London eating fish n chips for dinner, after walking across the Tower Bridge,  a part of the history of this place.

What could make it more magnificent?

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Up goes the draw bridge!

Something you don’t see every day ---Tower bridge with draw bridge up allowing the passage of a river cruise ship on the Thames. 

See the crowd?  It was quite the spectacle, and there I was.

In the midst of it.


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25 comments:

  1. You're bringing back many, many sweet memories, Bonnie, and I thank you for that. We were in London 13 years ago and marveled at many oof the same sites. I hope you get out to Stonehenge and Bath.

    Marilynkalinowski@gmail.com

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  2. It sounds like you're loving every minute of your time in England! Thanks for bringing us along with your photos.

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  3. Hey Bonnie......I have lived in London for nearly 67 years.........and NEVER seen Tower Bridge open!!!!! Lucky You!!!!
    :)

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  4. I stayed in a quaint hotel right by the bridge, being on the bridge at night (dark) and see people on boats partying. I was up until 4am with my friends just chatting away. I am 62.

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  5. Fantastic Bonnie, I really enjoy your photo journals, making memories :)

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  6. We shall be there tomorrow! Love the whole "south bank" area.

    Some tips for your readers - if you go to the tower bridge website, it will tell u when the bridge will next be raised. (We always seem to miss it!)

    If you buy a train - not underground or oyster - but an overground train ticket into London, there are 241 (or in other words buy one get one free) deal on most London attractions http://m.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-London

    and this site is great you can download free self-guided tours of London http://www.londonforfree.net/walks/

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  7. Bonnie, thank you for sharing your pictures and joy for life! I love traveling with you on your adventures! We were in London a few years ago and loved it as well....
    Terri in Texas

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  8. Anonymous7:06 PM EDT

    Love all the pics, Bonnie. Thanks for sharing your thoughtful insights, too.
    Jessica Terrell

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  9. Wish I was there!! I have never been to London and always wanted to go!! You're right to make "some day" today!!!
    Susan

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  10. Anonymous7:28 PM EDT

    Seeing the bridge open is supposed to bring you good luck! Lucky you!!So glad this trip is living up to your hopes :) Chris Gray chrissybluebird@hotmail.com

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  11. Hi Bonnie, I was in London for a day in 2009. Went to England to see family in the Midlands. I went to the Tower, well worth the entry fee! Saw the Beefeaters, and our tour guide claimed that England had Watergate long before America. Theirs is an actual gate where royalty bound for the tower were bought in in privacy. Loving your tour of England, one day I would love to join you. Julie

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  12. I love your enthusiasm! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

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  13. Great post, Bonnie. I luv your excitement. I feel it right along with you. So happy you are enjoying this. Stay well and happy, and keep us in the loop with your posts. God bless...

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  14. Have a blast!!! I was there last year at this time and it was wonderful!

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  15. Oh yes, I so agree, do it while you can walk, run and savor every place. I went to Ireland this year and now am trying to fit in Tuscany. I do love traveling with Travel West.

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  16. If you get chance try the Tower Bridge experience where you go inside the bridge, the views from the top walkways are spectacular.
    Great pictures, I took my grandson to London for the first time last week and we did much the same as you. Camden is worth a visit, the markets are great.

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  17. London is a gorgeous town, enjoy it. Stonehenge, Bath with the american quiltmuseum and winchester are beauties too.

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  18. I'm glad you're enjoying our capital city, Bonnie! Enjoy the rest of your tour - I hope you miss the rain that's forecast a shame when we've had weeks of sunshine! I'm sorry to miss you in Birmingham, I'll be there on Thursday but you'll have fun!! I live near Bath and visited yesterday - it was heaving with people!! It's great to read your comments!!! Jenny Bristol

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  19. So glad you are enjoying your trip Bonnie. I am enjoying your enthusiasm and it is making me appreciate again things I have perhaps taken for granted as I live a couple of hours away.
    Sadly I cannot make it to FoQ this year but hope you have a great time.

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  20. What a great travel teacher you are! I love your attitude of going while you are young enough to do it right. PBS just had a 60" show on the tower of London. Hope you can get inside. Are you going up in the 'eye' of London? I think you should. Have fun.

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  21. Having lived in England for 3 years in the 70's makes me want to go back again! We have been back several times but it is time again. Next time, renting car for a couple of weeks and driving to old and familiar haunts!
    Other European countries are fine but in ENgland, at least we can sort of speak the same language!

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  22. Anonymous11:01 AM EDT

    No trip to England would be complete without taking a train ride out to the Cottswalds. (spelling?)

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  23. You look rested and relaxed. This must be an extra special trip for you. Looking forward to your creative ideas from it when you get back and your brain starts processing things.

    Barby MH, ARK

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  24. Oh my gosh, I swear I started smelling fish and chips as I was reading this and admiring your photos! :-)

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  25. Anonymous11:10 AM EDT

    It looks like you are having a great time! I have always wanted to visit the Tower of London (I love history). :) Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.
    -Brittany

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