The Best of Britain and Ireland: Day 3

The first thing we did on Monday, April 26th was enjoy a guided bus tour through London. Our tour guide was a funny and very sarcastic lady. She had something funny to say for just about everything and she kept the whole bus laughing. For example, she called the bicyclists "voluntary organ-donors", and she let us all know how much she loved (very sarcastic here) the red double-decker bus drivers in town.

Speaking of the bus situation in London, I was amazed at the skills of these bus drivers. Buses would pass within an inch of each other on a very regular bases. At one point, I was sitting next to the window and I thought for sure that the buses would collide and that I would receive a glass shower. At least I wasn't the only nervous tourist at that moment. I looked over into the next bus to see the wide, panicked eyes of the person next to me.

And now, back to our regular scheduled programming. Just a warning, there are a LOT of pictures below. Also, you'll have to forgive the glare on some of the pictures as they were taken through a bus window.

This is a monument erected by Queen Victoria for her beloved husband Albert. There are monuments and buildings dedicated to Albert all over town.

A street view of the Parliament building.

A "Window Tax" was implemented in the British Isles around 1696 by King William III that taxed people depending on the number of windows they had in their homes. As a result, many families boarded up their windows to reduce the amount of tax that they paid. The building above shows some of these windows still closed up today. This is where the term "Daylight Robbery" comes from.


The pretty building on the corner is the Parliamentary Bookstore. The darker building in the back is the Portcullis House (or the new Parliament building).


The Admiralty House

The National Gallery located on Trafalgar Square.


The Royal Courts of Justice was opened by Queen Victoria in 1882. Today it houses the Court of Appeals and the High Court.


Beautiful flowers near St. Paul's Cathedral.


St. Paul's Cathedral


Erin and I outside of St. Paul's Cathedral. Here is a quiz for you. Is my hair a) messed up because of the wind, or b) doing its best interpretation of a bird's nest? Take your pick. :) ...no pun intended (as this is a classic up-the-nose shot)

The Changing of the Guard. As an "Army Brat" I found this pomp and circumstance really moving.

Cool buildings along the street in Windsor, Berkshire England. This street leads up to the Windsor Castle.

Windsor Castle...the Queen's Flag. They only fly this flag if the Queen is currently in residence at the castle. Sadly, she didn't come out and greet us personally but I'll try not to take offense. I'm just saying, I usually say hello to people who come to my house. ;)

Beautiful grounds at Windsor Castle. This is what they call their "Dry Moat." I think I'll build a dry moat at my house.

Another side of the "Dry Moat".

More beautiful grounds at Windsor Castle.

A "small" cathedral inside the grounds of the Windsor Castle.

Don't mess with him...he is fiesty. (One of the guards of the Queen's private residence)

The Queen's private residence in Windsor Castle.

Erin and I striking a pose.

Outside of the Apollo Victoria Theater. Don't I look like I'm about to start some trouble? Don't let the smile fool you.

I LOVED THIS PLAY!!!! ...yes I am shouting that.

Erin and I were singing songs from Wicked for the rest of the trip.

Next up...Leaving London, Oxford, and Stratford-Upon-Avon