London & Windsor

We began today bright & early, leaving the hotel at 8:00am to make the most of our day.

Our first stop was the Southwark area on the South Bank of London’s Thames River.  Here we saw a variety of sights, including the Globe Theatre, St. Paul’s Cathedral (across the river), the Tate Modern art gallery, & the Millennium (or “wobbly”) Bridge.

Soon we were on our way again, making the short drive past the Tower of London to Whitechapel’s Royal London Hospital (& passing the world’s oldest bell foundry, where the Liberty Bell was made!).

At the hospital the students gave a 1 hour recital, which was well received by many of the ambulance crew, doctors, patients & visitors passing through.

Back on board our bus we struggled through the traffic to Windsor, a charming town to the west of London that is home to the Queen’s permanent residence, Windsor Castle.

Armed with audioguides, the group explored the castle after lunch, learning about its 900 year history, touring the State Rooms, & even seeing Queen Mary’s dolls’ house, an incredibly detailed model created for the royal princess.

Dinner this evening, after a brief visit to London’s Covent Garden neighborhood, was a ‘carvery’ in The Strand Palace Hotel.

The rain just held off as we speed-walked across the river to ride on the London Eye, a spectacular ferris wheel that offers the best views over the entire city.

Finally our day ended by riding ‘the Tube’, the London Underground, back to our north London hotel, still a little jet-lagged & tired after a long day but one with some great highlights.

Tomorrow:  our guided walking tour, a visit to Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, & a performance of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’!