Merry Old England

Today was our first official day in London. We had a great ENGLISH breakfast at the hotel. (Have you ever had Baked Beans with Breakfast). No-it was seriously good stuff and set us up for the day. We hopped the TUBE (the Underground rail system here in UK) and rode to Westminister. We saw Big Bend (see picture) and then spent most of the morning/afternoon in Westminister Abbey. I didn't realize that most of these churches are crypts and cemeteries for the noble--I mean you almost stumble over every tomb and grave in the crooks and crevices of the church. Saw the burial place of William Willburforce (AMAZING GRACE Movie), Elizabeth 1 and Mary 1, the Coronation Chair, and Poets Corner with none other than Chaucer and Handel's burial spot. I even sang a little of MY REDEEMER LIVETH ( I had to join in because the tour guide in front of us asked the question if anyone knew the song! I did--see Layne I do have a song for every situation. Then a quick prayer time @12:30 in the Abbey--very peacful and restful. An ah-ha moment here---the reverance in the place is certainly about God--but with all of the bodies buried in there--you don't speak or talk loudly. Maybe that's the beginning of the issue of "quietness" that we struggle with in church today. In the past--it was quiet because it was a cemetery ( and sometimes the modern church does seem to resemble it's predecessor--but I had never really thought about this before)

On to the part of the Abbey which housed the monks--very peaceful and beautiful. Ended the tour of Abbey just sitting outside wathching different people and laughing. It was good to sit and be still for a while.

Back to Parliment area---we could have gone in to Parliment but the Que was 1hour--instead made our way to Jewel Tower only to encounter about 30 English school children on a field trip---we waited for them to clear out--but not before a quaint conversation about school ( uh--they get 2 weeks off for summer break, my kids better never complain again!). We listened to their conversations and their accents--very charming. Then we made our way upf some of the most steep stairs I've ever seen to see the exhibit for the Jewel Tower. Very nice--but we were hungry.

Made our way back via the Tube to our hotel area. We had discovered this morning that just south of us about a block are a bunch of bistros and shops and Thank The LORD_-STARBUCKS--(see picture)