Ta Ta until later
Well, we are back in our room in time to hear the 6pm chimes from Big Ben. Today we accomplished most of our goals for the last day in London. We took a river cruise on the Thames from the Westminster pier to the Tower pier. Then we spent the whole morning at the Tower of London doing the tourist thing. I was hoping it would be more gory than it was but I guess they have to keep it clean for the youngsters. They had a really wonderful exhibit on Henry VIII and all of his weapons and armor. Does anyone know what a Shaffron is? It is my new word for the week. It has to do with horses in medieval times. You'll have to look it up!
We had lunch in the Tower of London at a little cafe called the Armouries Restaurant. It was very good food and extremely reasonable prices.
We left The tower and headed over to Tower Bridge to hike to the top viewing area which is the stretch between the 2 towers. They had a really nice exhibition of bridges from all over the world. I enjoyed that!! Then we headed down to the engine rooms - I didn't enjoy that!!! It's a guy thing.
We left Tower Bridge and went for a walk over to Butlers Wharf which is a nice area right on the Thames Southbank with cafes and shops. Found a Starbucks and had an ice cold latte - YUM!!
Then we walked to Hays Gallery - another nice place with shops and cafes on the South Bank. There are so many outside cafes here on the river - too bad Eugene is so behind the times! Next we took pictures of the replica of Sir Francis Drakes "The Golden Hinde". WE just kept walking until we came to the new Millenium bridge, which is a pedestrian only bridge with great views of St Paul's Cathedral.Also, the Shakespeare Globe theater is near here.
We stayed on the Southbank until we reached out hotel - we had walked over 3 miles! It was a beautiful day so it worked out just fine. That has been our usual mileage each day with some days being around 6 miles. It is such a great way to see the city. When you take the metros you miss so much being underground and the buses have to deal with the traffic. So, as long as we stay fit, walking is our preference.
We decided to eat downtairs at Chino's again since we have to get up so early to get to Heathrow. It is a Pan Asian restaurant with wonderful food. Then we will come up and pack and enjoy our room for 1 more night.
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A brief History of
Saffron Walden
Essex - England - UK
The picturesque medieval market town of SAFFRON WALDEN is situated in the heart of some of the finest countryside of Essex. It is a small country market town with early origins, the name Walden meaning "Valley of Britons". The early settlement lies to the west and south of the present town where the Anglo-Saxons cemetery was discovered in 1876.The reference to Saffron denotes the importance of the valuable crocus sativus crop between the 15th and 18th centuries, grown as a medicine, dye and flavouring. The town is crowned by the largest and one of the most beautiful parish churches in Essex. Around the corner from the church is the Old Sun Inn with its elaborate moulded plasterwork (pargetting) depicting the legendary figures of Tom Hickathrift and the Wisbech Giant. The Sun, tradition has it, was where Oliver Cromwell and General Fairfax quartered when passing through the area during the Civil War. Nearby too is the fine medieval building in historic Bridge Street which now accommodates the youth hostel.
Following the Norman Conquest the manor was allocated to the De Mandevilles who most probably built the Castle. The area was dominated by this castle and its enclosure ditches determined the present street pattern.
Bridge End Gardens is a Victorian set piece with restored hedge maze. First started by Atkinson Francis Gibson around 1790, these superb gardens are a remarkably intact reminder of early Victorian elegance. The maze, constructed in 1838-39, has recently been replanted to the original design. Viewing is by prior arrangement through Tourist Information Centre.
The Common, formerly Castle Green, played host to a Royal Tournament in 1252. The Maze, situated at the far end of the Common, reputed to be the largest example in turf in the country. Its date is uncertain but considered by some to be 800 years old, or more.
Saffron Walden has a good range of interesting shops, Tuesday and Saturday markets, several restaurants, coffee bars and a modern and well equipped leisure and fitness centre (squash, tennis, swimming, badminton, sauna and multi-gym).
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