T is for

Continuing our visit to the UK, while in London we visited the

Tower of London

 London is a city with a lot of contrasts. You can see above  the Tower of London, with some of the modern architecture of recent years in the background. Within the Tower compound itself, there is also contrast between portions of the castle built in different centuries--the earliest construction begun in 1080. In the apartments in this Tudor portion of the structure that Lady Jane Grey resided until her execution.

Our guide to the history of the Tower was this most delightful and colorful member of the Yeomen Warders who thoroughly enjoyed what he was doing.

 There is always restoration and preservation going on


















at a site as old as this. This is one of the oldest walls.

 If we make a return trip to London in future years, we will give the city more time. Then perhaps we will be able to attend some of the demonstrations that take place in the Tower precincts. Previously in this round of ABCs I showed you part of the Royal Armory for R, and mentioned that the Tower is included as one of the Royal Palaces while we were "searching" for the Queen in Q. The Tower is also home of the Crown Jewels.

 As we cruised the River Thames we passed under the Tower Bridge, which has only it proximity to the Tower of London to thank for its name.

Look for other examples for the letter T at the ABC Wednesday homesite. We are in the seventh rouind (my sixth) and it is amazing what we can find each week to illustrate the theme letter.

Lincoln Castle

When you live in a city like Lincoln, having a castle is just part of everyday life. The castle might just be in your back yard.





Or maybe your playground butts up against the castle walls just outside the gate.

Or perhaps you are a publican just digging a bit for more of a garden for fresh vegetables for your lunch patrons and turn up some archeologically significant findings--and a fine for digging in the castle wall.

Walking along the castle walls, you can have another view of the Cathedral towers across the Bailgate, or look down into the castle grounds to see that, yes, indeed, it continues to host the crown court (though no longer the site of a prison.)

Cobb Hall was a defensive tower built sometime in the thirteenth century. It was later the site of public executions, which took place on the Cobb Hall roof. Currently, it is the home of one stubborn pigeon...

The rounded arch of the main gate, with the pointed Gothic arch which was later added, point out the years of changes of an active castle.

The Countess Lucy was a Constable of the Prison, a post held by several women over the centuries when the castle housed the prison as well as a military presence
The Keep was the home of the Constable and place of last resort in case of siege. The Lucy Tower was also the burial place for prisoners.

The Observatory Tower is a significant landmark of the Keep. The stone standing on the lawn is remnant of one of the Eleanor Crosses, monuments in honor of Eleanor of Castile, established at the nightly resting places of her funeral procession from Harby, near Lincoln, to London.

It's Working Thursday

Perhaps not everyone would find glamour and grace in using a street sweeping machine.






But then, not everyone sweeps a castle.

Men at Work appears on Thursdays.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

We didn't have to range too far to see some of the sights of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Our hotel was just half a block from the station--indeed, our window looked over the station but the room was quiet.  Not so the streets on a Saturday night. We'd been told that Newcastle was the in place for a weekend party, and there was a lot of partying going on about. We were ready to hit the sack, though, so after a meal, we waited till the morning to have a good look around. Just down the road to the right, St. Nicholas Cathedral (Church of England) and to the left, the Cathedral Church of St. Mary (Roman Catholic) where we attended Sunday morning Mass. It dates only back to the mid-1800s, the Gothic Revival design was the work of architect Augustus Welby Pugin, and its stained glass windows are significant.

The statue of Cardinal Hume in the memorial garden makes a lovely spot to reflect.

Like any British city which has been around for a very long time, Newcastle has--a CASTLE!!!

...and like any good city on a river--the River Tyne--Newcastle has some fascinating bridges. (oh, Geometry for Monday!!!)

We used Newcastle as a starting point to get to Hadrian's Wall, but there is lots else about the city. On the weekend, it is party hardy; there's a huge exhibition center for science and related exhibits; but sometimes all you need is just a spot to sit and philosophize.

Next stop, Hadrian's Wall, then on the Lincoln and another great blogger meet-up. Yes, Stewart, we are almost there.