September 5, 2006
After another narrow-bed night’s sleep we rose, ate our complimentary continental breakfast of cereal, toast, hot chocolate, etc., and departed the hotel on foot. One does not lack for exercise when touring London.
Our first stop was the Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, where I snapped photos of Big Ben and other landmarks of interest. Following the nearby changing of the Horse Guard, Dad and I enjoyed a fascinating tour of the Houses of Parliament. Inside and out tradition reigned. From the ornate, regal House of Lords, to the understated and more practically decorated House of Commons, centuries of legislative and political debate live on. My great regret is that so many traditions inside those walls are practiced in form only, as Britain’s heritage of biblically-based common law is scorned by its modern-day heirs. Many are the Esaus of today.
Our guide was articulate and knowledgeable, providing our tour group of 20-30 members a helpful overview of each place we stopped. However, in all her commentary about historical events and characters not one mention of Oliver Cromwell was made (a regrettable fact indeed, considering his courageous application of interposition in the face of unjust and unbiblical "law, " an historical example particularly timely today). One would think that such a unique and impacting personage in British history, and a Member of Parliament to boot, might merit at least a passing remark during a tour of the Houses of Parliament. Apparently not in the estimation of our tour guide (my sense throughout our trip is that Britain would rather forget Cromwell than address the ramifications of his rule).
In the afternoon Dad and I visited the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms located underneath London’s city streets. This museum was formerly the real-life, secret underground headquarters of Winston Churchill and his cabinet during World War II, and the rooms we toured were the same rooms used 60+ years ago to strategize against and defeat the Axis powers. The exhibits about Churchill, from his childhood to his last days, were superb; anyone visiting London should most definitely include this museum in their trip itinerary.
The remainder of our day was spent walking through city parks and generally enjoying the out-of-doors. Before stopping for dinner I endeavored to access the U.S. Embassy in London, seeking to rub shoulders with a bit of America while on friendly, but foreign shores. However, as I approached the heavily guarded access gate one of the armed British personnel informed me that, due to new security measures, I was not permitted to enter the U.S. Embassy without a valid "reason." Apparently my U.S. Passport and polite request to enter did not suffice, as I was denied admittance. I was rather nonplused by a British citizen refusing me access to my own country’s embassy, but I have no reason to believe he was not following American orders in doing so. Good grief.
Dinner consisted of Subway sandwiches and Coke, and was actually quite good. Returning to our humble hotel we watched Chariots of Fire on TV, journaled, and retired to bed.
Our first stop was the Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament, where I snapped photos of Big Ben and other landmarks of interest. Following the nearby changing of the Horse Guard, Dad and I enjoyed a fascinating tour of the Houses of Parliament. Inside and out tradition reigned. From the ornate, regal House of Lords, to the understated and more practically decorated House of Commons, centuries of legislative and political debate live on. My great regret is that so many traditions inside those walls are practiced in form only, as Britain’s heritage of biblically-based common law is scorned by its modern-day heirs. Many are the Esaus of today.
Our guide was articulate and knowledgeable, providing our tour group of 20-30 members a helpful overview of each place we stopped. However, in all her commentary about historical events and characters not one mention of Oliver Cromwell was made (a regrettable fact indeed, considering his courageous application of interposition in the face of unjust and unbiblical "law, " an historical example particularly timely today). One would think that such a unique and impacting personage in British history, and a Member of Parliament to boot, might merit at least a passing remark during a tour of the Houses of Parliament. Apparently not in the estimation of our tour guide (my sense throughout our trip is that Britain would rather forget Cromwell than address the ramifications of his rule).
In the afternoon Dad and I visited the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms located underneath London’s city streets. This museum was formerly the real-life, secret underground headquarters of Winston Churchill and his cabinet during World War II, and the rooms we toured were the same rooms used 60+ years ago to strategize against and defeat the Axis powers. The exhibits about Churchill, from his childhood to his last days, were superb; anyone visiting London should most definitely include this museum in their trip itinerary.
The remainder of our day was spent walking through city parks and generally enjoying the out-of-doors. Before stopping for dinner I endeavored to access the U.S. Embassy in London, seeking to rub shoulders with a bit of America while on friendly, but foreign shores. However, as I approached the heavily guarded access gate one of the armed British personnel informed me that, due to new security measures, I was not permitted to enter the U.S. Embassy without a valid "reason." Apparently my U.S. Passport and polite request to enter did not suffice, as I was denied admittance. I was rather nonplused by a British citizen refusing me access to my own country’s embassy, but I have no reason to believe he was not following American orders in doing so. Good grief.
Dinner consisted of Subway sandwiches and Coke, and was actually quite good. Returning to our humble hotel we watched Chariots of Fire on TV, journaled, and retired to bed.
posted by Tim at
5/04/2007 04:51:00 PM
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