The tour is over but we still have a few days in London before we head home. Seeing the sites on our own won’t be the same but we have some full days planned so we should be good.

Today we were off early to Westminster Abbey and the Queen’s Jubilee Exhibit. I haven’t been in the Abbey in a few trips so excited to see the sites now with my new understanding and appreciation of Tudor England.

We started with the headphones for the beginning of the tour but gave them up to go on and do the Jubilee exhibit before it got crazy. We would regret that later but for now happy not to have stuff hanging around my neck.

The Jubilee exhibit was up 108 stairs to the “attic” of the church. The climb was long but was on the outside of the church so great views of the outside of the church and the stained glass. Very different perspective that made the climb worth it.

The exhibit was amazing. We saw Margaret Beaufort’s (my new favorite) prayer book and also a chest she had used when she moved into the abbey one last time before she died.

They also showcased various architectural features that have been replaced or repaired through out the years. It was nice to see them up close. They had the same distortion that you find on the statue on top of our Texas capitol if you ever see that at the history museum. There were also several including Elizabeth I’s effigies. Hers had been burned in a fire but there was still portions of it left.

The Liber Regalis (Royal Book) was also on display. It was a beautiful illuminated manuscript that showed in detail how the coronation and royal funerals should proceed. It dated to the 12th century.

There was also a 1600 Westminster guidebook. The Abbey librarian made a book of all the Abbey’s monuments. This is the only known copy to survive. It provides some of the inscriptions that have since faded so that all the tombs are identified.

The exhibit was amazing and vantage point of looking both out over the abbey floor and the the spires of the church up close were added benefits. Sadly though they didn’t allow photographs. All we had was what we took climbing the stairs and one rushed clandestine picture of the gargoyles that Val took while I distracted the docent.

After the exhibit we went back and finished the Abbey (without the headset guide). We stumbled around the rooms and tried to identify who was who but most tombs were not identified and the writing was in Latin. They really only marked the big ones like Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scotts but the others were a guessing game. We found Margaret Beufort’s but not the Black Prince (who I know is there somewhere). Anyway we soon gave up and headed out to the gift shop. Just like Disney World the exit is through the gift shop. No problem for me I was going to buy stuff anyway.

From the Abbey we headed back to the hotel so Val could take care of something by way of Buckingham Palace. We were just stopping by the gift shop to pick up official jubilee stuff. The Palace was closed, which was okay because we visited last time but there was a garden party going on. We got to see all sorts of people in their Sunday best trying to find the right gate to get into the festivities.

We stopped for a quick lunch then walked back to the hotel. We passed some great shopping areas (noted for future trips) but didn’t have time to stop.

After Val made her call we headed out to the umbrella shop. I was really disappointed when we didn’t make it here last time so it was a must do on this trip. We planned to go to a book release for Alison’s new book at Hatchards and the umbrella shop was not that far away. The shop is great, exactly how you expect an old umbrella shop to look in London. It has been around since the 1800s and they hand make all their umbrellas. They were not cheap but I was not leaving without one. I struggled with my choice. I wanted the bamboo handle but a plaid or flowered umbrella. The only plaid with the bamboo handle I wanted was too dark to work year round so I decided on a solid blue. Now that I am home I am happy with my choice.

Fortnum and Mason tea shop was right next to Hatchards so we shopped there for a bit before going to the book release. it is a great store and I highly recommend a visit for gifts. I was loaded down with books so didn’t buy as much as I would have liked. Next time I’ll plan more room.

The book release was fun. Several people from the tour also showed up to see alison and Tracy discuss Alison’s new book. It was very similar to how book releases go here. Tracy asked specific questions about the book and then about Alison’s other books and writing process. I did learn that Alison’s next fiction book is going to be about Henry VIII and will be told from his point of view.

It was now time to head back to the hotel with all our purchases and new signed books and call it a night.