Landmarks

Westminster Abbey

 Westminster Abbey is not a cathedral nor a parish
 church. It is not under the jurisdiction of the
 Church of England. It's controlled by the Crown.
 The Abbey has been the site of every royal
 coronation since 1066, and a large number of
 sovereigns, politicians, poets, and artists
 are laid to rest there (inside the Abbey).
 
 Consecrated by Edward the Confessor in 1065,
 only two areas survive from the original
 structure. These are the Pyx Chamber (once the
 Royal Treasury) and the Norman Undercroft, where
 royal effigies used for lying-in-state ceremonies
 are kept. Most of the present Abbey was erected
 by Henry III in the 13th century to honor Edward.

Big Ben

 Actually, this is not a picture of Big Ben.
 This is a picture of the tower that houses
 Big Ben (the 13 ton bell that chimes hourly).
 
 The Roman numerals on the clock face measure
 two feet in length, and the minute hand is
 14 feet long. The clock mechanism is still
 wound by hand. 

 London is where we spent the last few days 
 of our vacation. We didn't attempt to drive
 in this big city, but rode the tube (subway)
 instead. As always, our vacation ended before
 we were ready to leave Great Britian for home.