London: June 2013
Nancy and Anders as our welcoming party, complete with sign.
Aidan, Nathan, and Anders playing football in Hyde Park.
Nathan calls these giant “gumdrop” trees outside Kensington Palace. No sighting of William and Kate.
Aidan wading in Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park.
Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park
Famous Harrods department store
Harrods… beyond my price range.
Upscale food hall inside Harrods. Pastery counter was seriously busy. We persevered.
Aidan and Nathan on city double-decker bus.
Gang on city double-decker bus headed to Picadilly Circus.
Celebrating the Queen’s 60 years as monarch.
St. Paul’s Catherdral, one of the only structures to survive the London Fire of 1666.
St. Paul’s Cathedral front side.
St. Paul’s Cathedral dome
Boys on steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral
Shellie, Nathan, and Aidan with Big Ben and Parliament in the distance. 
Big Ben on a gray, overcast London day. This was our first sight emerging from the Tube on Day 4. 
Finally, something taller than Nathan! 🙂 
Statue of Winston Churchill across from Parliament. 
The state of Churchill looks on to Parliament and Big Ben. 
Westminster Abbey, the site of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and the wedding of Prince William and Kate. 
The lines outside Westminster Abbey. 
Obviously signed for Americans and other foreign tourists. 
Guards at Wellington Barrack just before the march to Buckingham Palace. 
More spectators awaiting the Changing of the Guard. 
The band plays at Wellington Barracks before heading to Buckingham Palace. At the Palace, they played Stevie Wonder and Happy Birthday to Prince Phillip! 
Crowds line the street, waiting for the Changing of the Guard parade. 
Side gate to Buckingham Palace grounds 
Beautiful gilding on the gates to Buckingham Palace. 
Nathan’s height pays off! 
One of many guards at Buckingham Palace about to be relieved of his duties. 
Aidan found himself a spot to watch the Changing of the Guard, that is until a palace police officer politely told him to get down. 
This guard will be on duty for the next two hours. Aidan described the job as “boring.” 
Main gate of Buckingham Palace. 
We stumbled on a special treat: front row seats for a gun salute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen’s husband. Today was his 92nd birthday! 
After the gun salute, the horses gallop back to retrieve the cannons. 
It’s amazing how quickly they hook the cannons to the horses. 
There are six cannons. Each takes several turns firing. In all, there were 41 shots – 21. We were told by an older British man standing next to us that the Royals always get a 41-gun salute. 
As Aidan is signaling, the cannons are LOUD! 
And off they go. Note the “dancing” horse on the left. It was all very regal. 
This the stable area, though there were no horses inside on this day. The Queen personally selects the name of each horse. Many are named for cities or countries in the Commonwealth. 
Queen Elizabeth rode in the Scottish Coach to the wedding of Prince William and Kate in 2011. 
The Irish State Coach is traditionally used by the Monarch to travel from Buckingham Palace to Palace of Westminster to formally open the new session of Parliament. 
The Australian Coach was a gift to the Queen from Australia on it’s Bicentennial in 1988. 
On the Australian Coach, a kangaroo and emu have been hand painted. 
No, the horses and riders aren’t real, but don’t they look like they could be? The carriage weighs 4 tons and is drawn by 8 horses. There’s a secret to how they get it out of this room. 
The Golden State Coach 
Incredible craftsmanship. 
Doesn’t get more London than this… red double-decker buses and Big Ben. 
This is one of my favorite photos of the day, maybe because there’s just a glimmer of blue sky! 
The Palace of Westminster (Parliament) with the Elizabeth Town (Big Ben) and Westminster Bridge viewed from across the Thames River. 
The London Eye on the banks of the Thames River. 
Nathan takes in the amazing view! 
The London Eye is like a space-age Ferris wheel. It’s also completely wheelchair-accessible. 
Shellie, Nathan, and Aidan on their way to the top of the London Eye. 
Aidan and Nathan gaze down from the London Eye. 
Shellie atop the London Eye. 
Looks a little funky since I stitched several photos together, but you get the idea. 
Nathan and Aidan outside Stamford Bridge. 
Aidan practicing his skills in the football museum. 
Nathan and Aidan eagerly awaiting tour. 
Pass to tour Stamford Bridge. 
The good seats at Stamford Bridge. 
Nathan and Aidan practice for future press conferences. 
Chelsea FC logo. 
The meager away team locker room. 
Home locker room, complete with team jerseys. 
Nathan gives the traditional tap. 
Walking out of tunnel to pitch. 
Aidan sits in player chair on field. 
Aidan and Nathan next to the pitch. 
Aidan’s souvenir from Stamford Bridge. 
Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC.
Shellie, Nathan, and Aidan with Big Ben and Parliament in the distance.
Big Ben on a gray, overcast London day. This was our first sight emerging from the Tube on Day 4.
Finally, something taller than Nathan! 🙂
Statue of Winston Churchill across from Parliament.
The state of Churchill looks on to Parliament and Big Ben.
Westminster Abbey, the site of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and the wedding of Prince William and Kate.
The lines outside Westminster Abbey.
Obviously signed for Americans and other foreign tourists.
Guards at Wellington Barrack just before the march to Buckingham Palace.
More spectators awaiting the Changing of the Guard.
The band plays at Wellington Barracks before heading to Buckingham Palace. At the Palace, they played Stevie Wonder and Happy Birthday to Prince Phillip!
Crowds line the street, waiting for the Changing of the Guard parade.
Side gate to Buckingham Palace grounds
Beautiful gilding on the gates to Buckingham Palace.
Nathan’s height pays off!
One of many guards at Buckingham Palace about to be relieved of his duties.
Aidan found himself a spot to watch the Changing of the Guard, that is until a palace police officer politely told him to get down.
This guard will be on duty for the next two hours. Aidan described the job as “boring.”
Main gate of Buckingham Palace.
We stumbled on a special treat: front row seats for a gun salute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen’s husband. Today was his 92nd birthday!
After the gun salute, the horses gallop back to retrieve the cannons.
It’s amazing how quickly they hook the cannons to the horses.
There are six cannons. Each takes several turns firing. In all, there were 41 shots – 21. We were told by an older British man standing next to us that the Royals always get a 41-gun salute.
As Aidan is signaling, the cannons are LOUD!
And off they go. Note the “dancing” horse on the left. It was all very regal.
This the stable area, though there were no horses inside on this day. The Queen personally selects the name of each horse. Many are named for cities or countries in the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth rode in the Scottish Coach to the wedding of Prince William and Kate in 2011.
The Irish State Coach is traditionally used by the Monarch to travel from Buckingham Palace to Palace of Westminster to formally open the new session of Parliament.
The Australian Coach was a gift to the Queen from Australia on it’s Bicentennial in 1988.
On the Australian Coach, a kangaroo and emu have been hand painted.
No, the horses and riders aren’t real, but don’t they look like they could be? The carriage weighs 4 tons and is drawn by 8 horses. There’s a secret to how they get it out of this room.
The Golden State Coach
Incredible craftsmanship.
Doesn’t get more London than this… red double-decker buses and Big Ben.
This is one of my favorite photos of the day, maybe because there’s just a glimmer of blue sky!
The Palace of Westminster (Parliament) with the Elizabeth Town (Big Ben) and Westminster Bridge viewed from across the Thames River.
The London Eye on the banks of the Thames River.
Nathan takes in the amazing view!
The London Eye is like a space-age Ferris wheel. It’s also completely wheelchair-accessible.
Shellie, Nathan, and Aidan on their way to the top of the London Eye.
Aidan and Nathan gaze down from the London Eye.
Shellie atop the London Eye.
Looks a little funky since I stitched several photos together, but you get the idea.
Nathan and Aidan outside Stamford Bridge.
Aidan practicing his skills in the football museum.
Nathan and Aidan eagerly awaiting tour.
Pass to tour Stamford Bridge.
The good seats at Stamford Bridge.
Nathan and Aidan practice for future press conferences.
Chelsea FC logo.
The meager away team locker room.
Home locker room, complete with team jerseys.
Nathan gives the traditional tap.
Walking out of tunnel to pitch.
Aidan sits in player chair on field.
Aidan and Nathan next to the pitch.
Aidan’s souvenir from Stamford Bridge.
Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC.
Aidan and Nathan posing on the Millennium Bridge crossing the Thames River. 
Street performer on the Millennium Bridge. 
Boys on Millennium Bridge with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the distance. 
Inside of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre along the Thames River. 
The original theater was destroyed by fire. 
Aidan, Shellie and Nathan with the Tower Bridge. 
Tower Bridge, often misidentified as London Bridge. 
Modern London with the Shard. 
Aidan expending some energy along the Embarkment. 
The Tower Bridge really is a beautiful span. 
The Union Jack flying on a gray London afternoon. 
The towers of Tower Bridge over the Thames River. 
Tower Bridge, often misidentified as London Bridge. 
The boys are walking across the Tower Bridge. What looks like a hug… is really a headlock. Brothers. 
The Tower of London along the Thames River. 
Our Yeoman Warder’s names was Bob. 
The White Tower at the Tower of London, once the home of English kings and queens. 
Aidan looks at Traitors Gate. 
Bob did a brilliant job of explaining the history of the Tower of London. 
Guard outside of the Crown Jewel House at the Tower of London. 
The Crown Jewel House at the Tower of London. No photos, allowed. Inside we saw the Crown Jewels, including the Royal Sceptor with a 530.2 karat diamond. Really. 
There are 6 ravens at the Tower of London. Legend says if the ravens leave, the Tower will crumble. 
The Tower of London once housed wild animals. 
Aidan liked this dragon. Not sure if it had any historical significance… 
Like father like son? 
Part of my goal to drink Starbucks around the world. London – check! 
Jonas, Aidan, Nathan, and Anders on private ship at Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park. This place was awesome! 
Lost Boys at Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park. 
Jonas and Aidan holding on for dear life. 
Expending boy energy! 
Yikes! Not so high! 
Jonas and Nathan get a turn.
Aidan and Nathan posing on the Millennium Bridge crossing the Thames River.
Street performer on the Millennium Bridge.
Boys on Millennium Bridge with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the distance.
Inside of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre along the Thames River.
The original theater was destroyed by fire.
Aidan, Shellie and Nathan with the Tower Bridge.
Tower Bridge, often misidentified as London Bridge.
Modern London with the Shard.
Aidan expending some energy along the Embarkment.
The Tower Bridge really is a beautiful span.
The Union Jack flying on a gray London afternoon.
The towers of Tower Bridge over the Thames River.
Tower Bridge, often misidentified as London Bridge.
The boys are walking across the Tower Bridge. What looks like a hug… is really a headlock. Brothers.
The Tower of London along the Thames River.
Our Yeoman Warder’s names was Bob.
The White Tower at the Tower of London, once the home of English kings and queens.
Aidan looks at Traitors Gate.
Bob did a brilliant job of explaining the history of the Tower of London.
Guard outside of the Crown Jewel House at the Tower of London.
The Crown Jewel House at the Tower of London. No photos, allowed. Inside we saw the Crown Jewels, including the Royal Sceptor with a 530.2 karat diamond. Really.
There are 6 ravens at the Tower of London. Legend says if the ravens leave, the Tower will crumble.
The Tower of London once housed wild animals.
Aidan liked this dragon. Not sure if it had any historical significance…
Like father like son?
Part of my goal to drink Starbucks around the world. London – check!
Jonas, Aidan, Nathan, and Anders on private ship at Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park. This place was awesome!
Lost Boys at Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Hyde Park.
Jonas and Aidan holding on for dear life.
Expending boy energy!
Yikes! Not so high!
Jonas and Nathan get a turn.
Leavensden/Warner Bros. Studio
The Warner Bros. Studio – located 20 miles outside of London in Leavensden – is where the majority of the eight Harry Potter movies were shot.
Inside the lobby, giant portraits all the main cast members hang on the wall. Here we see the young Harry Potter.
Here we see the wizarding trio of Ron, Harry, and Hermonie.
The room under the stairs, complete with Harry’s eyeglasses.
These are the doors to the Great Hall inside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The Great Hall seems smaller than how it appears on the big screen.
The tables are set in the Great Hall.
The Gryffindor uniform on the far left was Harry Potter’s in the first movie.
The podium at the head of the Great Hall.
Uniforms of Slytherin House.
Aidan, Nathan, and Shellie sit at the student table in the Great Hall.
Costumes and “ice” sculpture from the Yule Ball.
Aidan gazes into the Mirror of Erised.
A look inside the Gryffindor Common Room.
Aidan at the entrance to Professor Dumbledore’s office.
Inside the office of the Headmaster.
The Golden Snitch from Harry’s first quidditch match.
The potion book belonging to the Half-Blood Prince.
Snape stands in the potions classroom.
Aidan speaks parseltongue at the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets.
Inside Hagrid’s hut.
Animal actors who’ve played Fang.
Quidditch broom atop the mechanics that make it move in front of the CG screen.
Quidditch uniforms.
Quidditch robes of Harry Potter.
Magic is Might statue at the Ministry of Magic.
Copy of the Daily Prophet.
Maurauder’s Map: “I solemnly swear I’m up to no good.”
Dolores Umbridge’s very pink wardrobe.
Aidan and Nathan in the portrait gallery.
Aidan at the controls of Hagrid’s motorbike. Nathan is a reluctant passenger.
Aidan knocks at number 4 Privet Drive.
Aidan exiting the Knight Bus.
Four boys in the enchanted car that was attached by the Whooping Willow.
Aidan runs the bridge that Neville and friends blew up in the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.
The whole gang in the enchanted muggle car.
The boys belly up to the Butter Beer bar.
Butter beer tastes like liquid butter rum Lifesavers.
Aidan, Anders, and Jonas knock back butter beers.
Merperson from the Black Lake.
Huge Grawp head hanging from ceiling.
Head of the Norwegian Ridgeback dragon.
Drawings of props and sets prior to being built.
The set drawings are then made into white-card miniature models.
Many of the story boards are actually beautiful paintings.
This model of Hogwarts is spectacular!
In a room of 8000 wands belonging to every person who worked on the 8 movies, we find Daniel Radcliffe’s wand.
Aidan gets “sorted” in the gift shop.
Nathan picks up some Every Flavor Beans. He said the “vomit” flavor was not appealing!
Aidan samples his Chocolate Frog.
Stonehenge & Bath
Crowds circling Stonehenge.
The audio tour is included at Stonehenge. It helps to explain what you’re looking at… they’re not just rocks!
Hard to believe that this rock formation has been standing here since prehistoric times, as early as 3000 B.C.
OK, this was funny. No one was bored by Stonehenge, but I caught Aidan and Steve yawning at the same moment.
There’s something very eerie and mysterious about circling Stonehenge.
Each large rock weighs the equivalent of seven elephants!
Henge means hanging, so these are the “Hanging Stones.”
Nathan taking it all in
There are small mounds around Stonehenge where human remains have been found.
Aidan, Nathan, and Shellie at Stonehenge.
How did they ever lift those rocks on top of the pillar rocks?
The Heel Stone, Stonehenge’s famous outlier.
Stonehenge is surrounded by the beautiful English countryside. That’s fields of goldenrod in the background.
Aidan was really dug Stonehenge!
Steve, Nathan, and Aidan eating greasy fish ‘n chips in Bath.
Not exactly what I was thinking when I read crumble.
Aidan not so sure about treacle.
