London Adventures Day 3: Horatio Nelson, take the wheel!

Of course I decided that, on the first day of stereotypical London rain, it would be the perfect time to go to the Tower of London. While the weather was pretty miserable, and I was terrified of slipping down steps/slipping in general, there were fewer crowds so we didn't have to wait very long to get through all the towers, including the White Tower, and were in and out of the Crown Jewels within twenty minutes.

Typical London.

Obviously, there was some flailing over the Stuart things... (I really, really, really love Charles II, okay?) But I also flailed over the earlier things, like Henry V's massive sword and his saddle from the Order of the Dragon, which they're in the process of conserving.

I'm a little teapot, short and... short.

And, as always, Henry VIII's armor was hilarious.

Someone was a little bit cocky... Yea, I went there.

After the Tower, we headed to Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral. I don't have words to describe it right now, even eight hours later, so illustrations are necessary.

And, surprise, surprise, the crypt contained the remains of Horatio Nelson. Admittedly, this may or may not have been my ulterior motive all along. (I'm starting to think I should just rename my project "National Treasure: Horatio Nelson" and wash my hands of this Lord William Campbell madness... Or not.)

So much Nelson, so little time.

Two important memorials of interest in St. Paul's: Nelson (left) and Cornwallis (right). I think Professor Long would be very proud of all this naval and military history immersion I'm doing.

Because Trafalgar and Yorktown are totally on the same level.

Walking down Fleet Street and the Strand, we finally stumbled upon the Temple (Inner and Middle). Being me, I did a lot of pacing up and down cobblestone alleyways and hand-flailing, hoping I was walking in the steps of Edward Rutledge and Banastre Tarleton, both of whom studied law at Middle Temple. I mean, a girl can dream, right? Regardless, I earned a lot of weird looks from my dad and incessant questioning, including but not limited to: "Now what?" "Why are we here?" "What is this place?" "Can we go now?" Whatever, Dad. Haters gonna hate.

On a less exciting, Nelson-filled note, I think I'm coming down with something--my throat has been irritatingly scratchy for the past two days. It's too bad I can't find a soothing, hot beverage anywhere in London...Oh, wait.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Twinings.