Our day began with a tube ride to the Tower of London, which was built in the mid eleventh century.  We also viewed the famous crown jewels.  After a lunch break, we ventured to the site of Shakespeare's Globe Theater.  Following a tour of the Globe Theater the students enjoyed a workshop with a Shakespearean actor on the play "Romeo and Juliet", which they are studying in class.  We returned to Covent Garden for some down time before heading to the West End to enjoy a dinner and "The Lion King", a West End show.  Early departure tomorrow at 6:00 am....so long London, it is always fun. See y'all next year...

After a visit to platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross station, (made famous by the Harry Potter films), we headed to Oxford, home of one of England's premier universities.  Our tour started with a guided walk around one of the oldest colleges, Christ Church, dating back to the 13th century.  After lunch in Oxford we drove through the scenic "Cotwolds", filled with thatched cottages and fields of new born lambs.  Arriving at Stratford upon Avon, we visited Shakespeare's birthplace, and toured the beautiful city.  We finished the night with a tour of the east end of London by revisiting the infamous murder sites of Jack the Ripper, a 19th century serial killer whose crimes remain unsolved to this day.  Tomorrow we are off to the Tower of London, and the the reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theater for a workshop.

Today we ventured further out of London via coach to the ancient ruins of Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plains.  After a group photo and a snack break, we boarded the coach once again and set out for the roman city of Bath.  The students had  the opportunity to visit the still flowing and steaming 1600 year old roman baths, followed by some much need leisure time in the city renowned shopping district.  Heading back into city we had dinner on the streets on London in Leicester Square and then took in a West End show, The 39 Steps.  Tomorrow off to Oxford, Stratford and the Cotswold's.

The Lord's day began with a Sung Eucharist at the the historic St. George's Chapel in Windsor, where the students heartily sang along with the boy's choir.  That afternoon we toured the impressive state apartments at Windsor Castle.  The Queen was home, but due to a schedule conflict was unable to see us.  After a dinner at Planet Hollywood at the heart of London's theater district, our intrepid travelers set out upon the Old City, for night walk discovering some of the chilling tales of the city's past.  Tomorrow Bath and Stonehenge....stay tuned.

The day started cold, but dry as we headed to Westminster Abbey where every king and queen has been crowned since 1066.  We toured the ancient monastery, now a working Anglican Church and then took off to Winston Churchill's War Rooms the center of the British war effort during World War II.  The cultural onslaught continued later that afternoon with a guided tour of the British Museum home to the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, the Winged Bulls of Babylon, and much more.  After a brief rest at the hotel, our day ended with fun and merriment at a medieval banquet ( see photo) where we feasted and danced the night away.

The Adventure Begins....

     We landed safely and securely, yet a little behind schedule.  Our intrepid travelers boarded our private coach for our journey into central London.  We stashed our baggage safely away at the Mentone Hotel and set forth to discover whatever London had to offer.  After a brief lunch at Covent Garden, we boarded an open top double decker bus outside the original Ritz Hotel to begin an hour and a half journey taking in the landmarks of London.
  Disembarking at the Tower of London we boarded the good ship, the "Mayflower Garden", for a sightseeing trip down the River Thames.  Our journey ended at Westminster Pier in the shadow of Big Ben.  Pausing briefly on Westminster Bridge for the attached photo, we then took the tube to the Original Hard Rock Cafe.  Our bellies full and our bodies weary, we headed back to our base, the Mentone, for a well deserved night of rest thanking God for his mercies and blessings.  Stay tuned for further updates........