This morning, the plan is, go to Westminster Abby. It’s were kings and many famous people are buried. It’s where the monarchs are crowned and royals are buried. Never made it there during my other trips to London.

The gothic arches are so impressive. Upon paying the 18 lbs, you are given a headset to listen to the walking tours. I got tired of listening to the blah, blah, blah. I got a chuckle out of the epitaph’s on the graves. There are no pictures to show you of the inside, photo’s not allowed.

The deceased women are referred to as “virtuous both in mynde (mind) and body”..wonder what that means? There is no inscription that says “she was a saucy lady”. It mentions being loyal to their husbands..”even in times of misery”. It mentions what children they had. Both men and women that died of natural causes lived till their 50s.

Some of the ones that I liked..

An officer “having fatally shot by a cannon ball, slain at the moment of victory and so having gloriously ended his days at age 50.”

Paid homage to the graves of Newton and Darwin and Lister.

WWI, tomb of the “ The Unknown Soldier lies among the most illustrious of the land, Armistice Day Nov 1920. Gave the most that man can give, life itself, for God, King, and Country for the sacred cause of justice and freedom in the world.”

“David Livingston: Missionary and Traveler: For 30 yrs, his life was spent in an effort to evangelize the native races, to explore the undiscovered secrets, and to abolish the desolating slave trade of central Africa. Where with his last words, he wrote…” All I can add in my solitude is… may rich blessings come down on everyone who helped heal this open sore of the world”

There are many Anns in English history ..just to name a couple..Ann Nevill 1456-1485, Queen of England, wife of bad guy, Richard III…. Ann of Cleves, wife of Henry XIII.1515-1537.

The area of writers and poets: Chaucer 1400, Lord Byron the poet of romance, died 1824 age 36. DH Lawrence, that naughty boy, his inscription is “Homo Sum, The Adventurer” ( have to look that one up). And Henry James and Longfellow.

Then finally a funny one:

“Clement Coltrell.esq. Eldest son, succeeded at his office for which he was very fit, having a tall handsome person, a graceful behavior, and great natural parts”. What are those great natural parts?

Mass was going on during the tour, you could stand on the side and participate. I kept walking. The cathedral was so beautiful and I took time to admire all the statures and artisan work.

My memories of the place was seeing it on TV, the marriage to Diana and then sadly, her funeral. I’ve always felt a special connection to Diana, because we were pregnant together twice and both had boys. She coined the phrase, “heir and a spare”. I had to use mine. I was in Tokyo when I heard the news of her death. I listened to the coverage on InterFM, English speaking radio.

After touring the cathedral and the grounds. I went to their coffee shop.

Had a lunch…carrot and fennel soup.   Tea and scones…Food of the gods. I finally had my afternoon tea!!

My whole family loved afternoon tea when we came to London. My kids loved the “tea party” atmosphere, but with their best manners.

Walked around, headed to Parliament. The Tenney’s went to Parliment, a couple of weeks ago, they walked in to the chambers and listened. Today, it was shutdown for security, Orange alert.  People in line, said it was due to hostage threats in the Middle East. Walked around more, until I had no idea where I was, thought I was walking back to my place…so I finally got a taxi, and damn, I was walking the wrong way. Got back later, was tired, took a shower and a snooze. Guess I’m staying in tonight. The kids I was hanging out with left.