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Friday, July 11, 2025

Day 4 -The Tower and a lovely lunch in Richmond


Day 4: After getting word that I didn't get a Garter ticket, I had to make alternative plans for June 16.

The Most Noble Order of the Garter tickets are accessible through a lottery.  I have been lucky in the lottery, but not this year.   My host recommended the Tower of London for "The Tower Remembers, " a "new special commemorative display of ceramic poppies installed inside the Tower of London to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War."

 



It was another blistering hot day.  I last visited the Tower in September 2022 to see the Crown Jewels in the new Jewel House.







In September 2022, the moat was open, allowing visitors to walk through flower displays.  At this time, the moat is closed to the public.







One of the Tower Ravens  https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/the-ravens/#gs.npml7u


Yeah, yeah, you came for the poppies, but I am posing for you.




Raven: Get off my lawn, pigeon

























Modern meets history














I wanted to visit the Crown Jewels, but the queue was so long that I abandoned that desire and headed toward the exit. I headed straight for Starbucks and bought an iced vanilla latte. I got on the District Line at Tower Station.  Much to my surprise and delight, the District Line has air con (what the Brits call AC).    I was going to Richmond to meet former Royal Reporter (Daily Express), Richard Palmer, who took me to lunch at the White Cross Pub, which is on the River Thames.

The White Cross is known as the pub that floods.









It was a lovely, lovely lunch.  Thank you, Richard.  We walked back to the Richmond station and caught the District Line.  Richard got off at Earls Court, and I continued to Embankment to switch to the Northern line.  After dropping off my camera at my Airbnb and having a cup of tea with my host, I headed back out to buy something light for dinner (Yoghurt and fruit).  I walked down Camden High Street and spotted TK Maxx, where I purchased extra socks. Aldi and M&S were across the street.  I had to go into Aldi to see the Aldi Aisle of Shame (Aldi Finds).  I was not impressed, but I did buy 2 large bags of Maltesers that cost £2.50 each.  I bought yoghurt, fruit, and several bottles of water at M&S.  A healthy dinner!  On the way back, I did stop in a pub for a small glass of Camden Ale.