Monday, October 29, 2012

A Great Day at Westminster and Whitehall

Today is Kris's birthday and we had a glorious day. Steve Braithwaite, High Priests' Group Leader from Matt and Kims ward took us to Downing Street and Westminster Palace. He is a member of the Metropolitan Police force and has entree to these places. It was fantastic! We also had time to take a spin on the London Eye. Kim was able to swing fast-track tickets (like a Disneyland Fastpass) because we had so many "seniors" in our group: the hobble cobbles strike again! It was a beautiful day and perfect for a spectacular view of London.

 Dickie's Sunday dinner: roast beef, mashed spuds, gravy,
Yorkshire puds, and sprouts (by Grandmother)

 Edenbridge Town Station this AM (Conner likes to make odd faces
like his cousin Katy Kathryn)

 Westminster Abbey

 Westminster Clock Tower, home of Big Ben the bell

 Westminster Palace

 The London Eye and County Hall

 On the Eye

 A great view of the City

 The Shard: London's newest landmark

 Houses of Parliament

 Kim, Kris, and Conner

 On Westminster Bridge

 Whitehall with the Cenotaph awaiting 
Remembrance Sunday poppies

Downing Street usually closed to the public

 The gang in front of #10

 Anybody home?

 Whitehall roofscape

 Trafalgar Square

 Rod and Vic enjoying lunch al fresco

 After a quick highlights tour of the National Gallery

 National Gallery and St. Martin in the Fields

 Enough said

 Steven Braithwaite leads the way into Parliament

 Westminster Hall with its Hammerbeam ceiling

 Lion rampant: shades of Winnifred

 The troops at Parliament

This photo was temporaarily removed for fear that its original 
caption would be picked up by Interpol and Roger de Boynton
would not be allowed to leave the country

The fun is exhausting

 Birthday dinner at the Swan

 Delicious pub food

The birthday girl

It was a fun day and will get even better as we watch the latest episode of Downton Abbey tonight. That, however, is all for now.

OXO

D.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh! It's just NOT FAIR that you guys get to do all this fun stuff! Hrumph!

On a side note... LOVE the bus board... LOVE the sleeping pic (like mother, like son)... LOVE all the food shots!

Anonymous said...

Oh, and LOVE the terrorist infiltrator!

Anna said...

I am going to join the Ellen bandwagon...not fair.

Did mom get my emails?
Happy birthday to her.

Maren said...

Wow how fun to get so close to #10! Looks like a grand day! It is nice to know there are benefits to being old!
Happy Birthday Mummy!

David and Kris Taylor said...

Anna: Yes. She got them and was thrilled. This was a birthday like nun other.

D.

Anna said...

Also it needs to be noted that on the bridge the guy from Matt and Kim's ward looks uncannily like Trevor.

Anonymous said...

The fun continues.. wish I were eating with you! Happy birthday to mother and grandmother!

Unknown said...

Happy birthday!!! Hope you are having a wonderful time

Carrie B. said...

The yorkshire pudding looks delish! Fun, fun, fun!

Bill Hastings said...

What a day! You need to reconsider becoming a tour guide!

Emily said...

Happy Birthday to Mum! What a grand way to spend the day. 10 Downing Street? Awesome!!!

Katy Colver said...

Oh sigh... Happy Birthday Mummy Dearest! We were thinking of you all day :) I am also a fan of the terrorist infiltrator, he's quite cheeky and needs to be looked after. Excited to have you back home so you can stop making us all jealous... that and we miss you :)
Katy Kathryn