London, part trois...

After two days of exploring, we were tired and slept in on Wednesday. Instead of returning to London, we walked to the Oxford University Museum of Natural Science and the Pitt Rivers Museum of Anthropology. They are co-located, free, and only two miles from home. (http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/). We took the mini-tour and learned that the Pitt Rivers museum was started to study the development of various civilizations to better understand ours. Matthew was intrigued by the shrunken heads (I did not include a photo as they are disgusting.) There are so many items on display that we will be making many return trips.

We walked past our doctor's office. Very '40ish.

Matthew entering the Museum of Natural History.

After the museums, we walked to St. Giles Street (pronounced Jiles) to eat at the Eagle and Child Pub. This pub was affectionately known as the Bird and Baby by the Inklings (C.S. Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkein and Charles Williams were the core members). Matthew and I had fish and chips. Lori had the chicken pie.

We ate in the conservatory. Fish and chips with non-alcoholic ginger beer.

Matthew has a new favorite drink. Ginger beer is a like a cross between ginger ale and root beer.
(Read the sign behind his head.)

The Inklings corner.

Plaque in the corner.

This looks like a page from a guest book.

http://www.oxforddnb.com/public/themes/92/92544.html

On Thursday, we once again boarded the bus for London. Our single goal on this trip was to explore Westminster Abbey. We arrived before the 1:30 opening time so we ate lunch and walked down Whitehall Street from Parliament to Trafalgar Square and back.

A mounted guard has been posted on Whitehall Street for over 300 years.

Lord Horatio Nelson defeated Napoleon's fleet and died at the Battle of Trafalgar.

There was a lot of security around 10 Downing Street.

We were surprised to find a statue of Abraham Lincoln in Parliament Square.

Walking through Westminster Abbey was impressive. I have never seen so many sculptures in one place. Since we couldn't take any photos inside, you will have to visit the website to see where all of the English sovereigns are buried and many others have memorials on display to them. The tomb of the unknown soldier is near the exit. I was impressed by the sheer amount of history represented here (http://www.westminster-abbey.org/).

My gorgeous wife and handsome son at Westminster Abbey.

As always, we ended the day with cream tea (tea, scone, jam, and clotted cream) in Victoria before riding the bus back to Oxford. Since we arrived at the bus stop early, Matthew could sit in the front row on the top deck of the bus.