Vacation Day 1

Ok, so I've decided to break this up a bit and do a vacation day post per day or maybe 2 a day depending on how I feel. Over the course of the vacation I took over 2,500 pictures (Jack took about 1800) and I want to share some of them with you. This is the only way I thought to do it that wasn't completely overwhelming. So tune in daily!

The journals were actually written in Scotland. Forgive the tone - most were written right before bed. Hope you enjoy, I'm trying to put pics with the journal as it talks about it so go past the pics to finish the journal for the day. I'm also uploading all the pics (minus blurry ones and duplicate shots, which account for quite a few of them) to Snapfish..will take all night to upload day 1; invitations and link to follow tomorrow.

Day 1 Journal - May 13, 2006

Well, today was the first of our journey. It was an exhausting day that actually began yesterday at 11:30 am EST and ended at 10:40 London time. We saw the Tower of London with the crown jewels (gaudy lookin things) and it's torture chamber. This is where three or maybe it was two (not sure) of Henry VIII's wives were killed. It was a prison and execution central.



We also had a nice four course dinner. I had Tomato Basil Soup, salad, chicken in a mushroom sauce and a really, really rich desert. Mama said she needed some fried chicken :) Then we did a cruse on the river and saw the Parilament buildings, Big Ben and many other great buildings. Took pics but it was getting dark and it was misty outside.




Tour guide was Rob - very informative and entertaining.
Now it's time to stop. Our bags have to be ready by 6:30 am. Till tomorrow good night and sweat dreams.

End Journal Day 1

Well, There is Day 1. We really did have a great time. I wish the pics from the cruise had turned out better but it was getting dark not to mention the fact that it was so drizzly. The tower was huge and old. One of the things that I found humbling about this trip was standing in buildings that existed in the 1500's ... Imagine the lives, history, and events those walls have witnessed. Plus, the fact that it was built in the 1500's and is still in use today, not only as a tourist attraction but the crown jewels that the Queen still wears at least once a year (opening of Parliament) are stored here; granted the vault is a little more modern, but still. Guards still live on the premises and people work here everyday. Can you imagine working in a 500 year old building??

On another note we got some stuff accomplished today, which felt good. I still have one over due assignment and several things that are outstanding on my list, but we did go grocery shopping, got some laundry done and grilled steaks and shrimp out on the grill. It was nice and felt good. Well, I'm off to sleep - sleep well blog land.