Day 3- Abbey Road

After the London Tower, we split from Adam's parents and rode the subway, walked, rode the bus, and walked some more-- all to visit some record stores and visit Abbey Road, (and Camden Market- but I'm making that it's own post.) While Adam looked in the stores, I'd sit down to rest my achy pregnant feet. It was fun! We were out of the touristy areas where everyone was just walking to and from work and going about their daily lives. We got lunch at this yummy burrito place and ate it while we sped walked to our next destination. (I'm a harrible speed walker.)

 This shop owner was a character- saying anything he could to get us mad or whatever- Adam just laughed. And I waited outside after a while. But he let me take a picture when I asked- that's why he's smiling. I just love seeing Adam in his element- and this is it!

Pretty produce.

 After shopping around Camden Markets for a while, we finally found our way to Abbey Road- a mecca for Beatles fans! This is where the Beatles recorded almost all of their albums and singles between 1962 and 1970. They named their record Abbey Road because of the street the studio sits on, and later the studio called themselves Abbey Road Studios, and it's still operating today. 

We were laughing so hard, because this street is busy- with a fair amount of traffic! 

I was scared for Adam's life lots of times, and my own, because I was standing right on this busy corner and I got the best shots standing in the street a little. Phew! There was a small line of Beatles fans waiting for their turn to reenact the picture that is the cover of the Abbey Road album.

Cars! Ready to clip Adam!!

Abbey Road Cover

Next up was to visit where David Bowie's iconic album- "Ziggy Stardust" cover photo was taken.

The building has been updated since 1972, but the street still stands, and a plaque is there to commemorate it. 

cool wall we came across

We went shopping on Regent Street, just off Picadilly Circus and found a seven-floor toy store- Hamley's- that would have been great for Christmas shopping, but alas our suitcases were maxed out already. It was a fun store! We found the boys a few things, shopped a little more (found a fuzzy little fox for baby Franky at Zara Home and drooled over everything else in there) and finally found a place to eat.

Shopping on Regent Street- London.

Regent Street at night!

Dinner at a trendy little Japanese food place- it was delicious!
Maybe not so fun sitting so close to all the other diners?
Please enjoy my weird face from Adam's panoramic picture...

As with all European vacays- getting back to the hotel after hours of walking and standing, I just plop on the bed like a log, and don't move for a good 20 minutes. Not even to take off my coat.

And here's Adam looking at his record store loot. Fun day!

London Day 3- Tower of London

 We started off Day 3 by visiting the Tower of London. It's real name is actually Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress. It was founded in 1066 as a grand palace and used as a royal residence. The white tower on the property was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952. The Tower has served variously as an armory, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public records office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. 

While there, we got to see the crown jewels from the past and present in all their glory! 

But we couldn't take any pictures. It was fascinating. This is where they keep all the crowns and scepters, even now. They take them out for special occasions and ceremonies. I've never seen so many jewels in my life! They had some that were on moving walkways, and i kept going around and around that thing, just to get a better view- haha! 

We could see the Tower Bridge from the grounds.

Steve and Karen- world travelers!

Caught Adam in a yawn- hehe. But check out that blue sky- makes the building even prettier.

Inside the armory was pretty cool to see. Some of these suits of armor were HUGE! Like big guys wore them. 

The cod pieces also made us laugh- they were so... exaggerated!

We were laughing so hard- Adam took this close-up view- haha!

The gifts royals from other countries used to give- bears and elephants.

Funny mask- but at least they were protected? I would think a menacing face would have been a better fit for war??

Japanese armor.

I can't remember why these horse sculptures were there- I think they made them of the royal horses...

Helmets along the top.

Adam looking at vintage weapons.

Giant ledger book for the armory. Read below:

The biggest armor next to the tiniest armor. Some of the kings were just kids, so they had armor too, probably only for ceremony or show purposes, but still. 

Close up of the tiny helmet.

Beautiful hallway.

Dragon made of weapons- took this for the boys.

We kept crossing paths with a school group of what looked like first graders and there were all these displays of how they tortured prisoners and beheaded them. Scary for little kids to see!

Tiny milk! We had a grocery store around the corner from our hotel, so we would pack our backpack full of fruit and things and eat them around town. Especially this pregnant girl.

We had a great morning! 

Next post- Abbey Road!