The Last Day: Homecoming for a Practicing Princess
Evie surveys "her castle."
In preparation for coming to London, Evie and I spent lots of time online looking at websites for various museums and attractions. The one that stood out to her the most was a narrative from "Rascal the Raven" from the Tower of London. She kept asking, "But *which one* is Rascal?" And the Beefeater would keep responding, "My lady, I have no idea..."
Just... cool.
Rascal's cages
The Tower of London is actually a series of buildings surrounded by a protective mote and wall... This is not the oldest tower, but it is the one that stands at the very center of the complex.
The view up White Tower.
We have many pictures of armor taken for Jason's benefit. Unfortunately, Jason couldn't come with us this day... He had this funny thing called work. However, I did my best to make sure Evie appreciated the various types of armor... at least so far as I said, "Look honey, that's what a knight wore." This is all inside the White Tower.
The "ruff" from the V&A museum makes a surprise reappearance. Evie immediately recognized it for what it was.
The Tower Tour performed by lively Beefeaters highlights (sometimes with a bit too much relish) the bloody atrocities committed at the Tower. However, when it comes to raising a "Practicing Princess" this is one step in the "demystifying the princess" process :-)
The royal commode....
with a royal view.
In Evie's word, "He's in charge of protecting me, so I will always be safe." Also, Evie insisted that she "used to be a Queen *before* she was a princess, and back then, this room didn't have so much yucky armor, because it was used for royal dancing. And sometimes eating."
Previous tenants.
Evie later decided that if *she* were the princess and if someone *was* attacking, she would fight them off with her sword...
the ax or the mace were much too pedestrian a weapon for someone of such high birth as herself.
We decided this one was Rascal.
The picture looks sweet... but about this time I was becoming a little concerned. Ravens are not known for being as polite as pigeons when food is concerned...
Another view of White Tower.
The top of the White Tower.
Turning from the White Tower to the building facing it, Evie was soon taken with her favorite part of the entire day... THE CROWN JEWELS, which of course are well guarded.
While I made faces, Evie chastened me. "Stop that, mommy. He's protecting my JEWELS!!!"
The building where the Crown Jewels are housed.
Home, sweet home.
Oh wait, you can buy jewels?
Evie meets the store of her dreams.
The view from the wall next to the Medieval Tower and overlooking the Thames.
Entering Medieval Tower, and getting a lay of the land.
This tower included a live exhibit of what it must have been like to really live at the tower as a princess. It was great for Evie, because it included all kinds of tactile exhibits, including sample rushes, down mattresses-such as they were- and other textiles from the era.
Evie meets the "other" purple princess, and they discuss the trials and travails of royalty.
Notice, this is about 1 PM or so. Look at the amount of light surrounding the Tower. We've been here since 10 AM. Does she look tired to you?
More White Tower
Walking the Wall.
Overlooking the Thames. What a view!
Tea time!
Really, it's more like chocolate cake time!
Oops... it's after 4 PM, we missed the giant Beefeater bear for a photo op.
The location where the royal beheadings took place.
The chapel. I had no idea that the bones of many of the hanged were unceremoniously dumped underneath this building. Wow.
Those who lost their heads at this location.
Evie gets nervous.
Royal residences.
It's getting dark... One last dash to see the jewels... again.
The Bloody Tower...
Traitor's gate. Evie and I spent a bit of time here talking about what it must have been like to have entered the castle this way.
Parting glances.
Well, it's nearly 5, and the Tower is getting ready to close.
We are the last to leave...
and they closed the door to "our" castle behind us as we left.
Goodnight tower.
Good night bridge.
Dinner at Wagamama!
A special dinner for our last night in London. This was one of Jason's favorite eateries while studying abroad.
Goofing around.
Goodnight, London.
