June.7

Yesterday we had a short train ride to Tower Hill. Our first stop was Tower Bridge. The construction of this bridge is incredible. Tim noticed that in places the metal is layered like plywood for strength. We took an elevator to the bridge walkway. Nice views and information posted about some of the world's most renowned bridges, as well as a children's book about London were on display. Originally the drawbridge was powered by steam. The engine room is impressive. Tim and the kids want to make a model of this bridge out of Fisher Technik at home. I can see why.

The walk from Tower bridge to the HMS Belfast was along a fancy promenade next to the Thames. The kids especially loved the fountain that would spring up at random times. They played in it for a while and thought it would be the perfect place for lunch after seeing the warship.

Belia wasn't so sure about the Belfast. It's small endless corridors with many ladders made her feel creeped out. They did an amazing job of recreating life on the Belfast by having mannequins and props in each area.
It was sad to think of the families separated for long times because of being away at war. The mail room was very important to the navy. People at home were advised to only write about positive things to keep the sailors' moods lifted. The surgery room was not Belia's favorite - she hid her eyes. Of course the boys loved it! Belia and I stayed up on deck while the other's visited the engine rooms that descend through many stairwells below sea level.

Next we ate our lunch by the fountain. The kids played around for a long time dodging the jets trying to predict when the next one would go off.

Tim, Brennin, Mariah and Darius went to the crypts at London Bridge. Actors were dressed up telling stories of the darker parts of London's past; everything from the plague to Jack the Ripper. The London bridge use to be a bridge with a community living in wooden houses on it. It burnt down 9 times!

While the others were getting spooked, Belia and I visited Southwark Cathedral and Camden Market. The Cathedral had a wedding in progress but we were welcomed to watch from the back. Later in the church yard the wedding party came out. They definitely like their hats with plumes. Camden Market was full of fresh baking, vegetables, herbs, meat, fish and more. The brownies we bought were delicious!

Next stop was Tate Modern Art Gallery. Belia was not impressed. The modern art was not "working". She would back away from a painting, expecting it to look like something and when it didn't she was so irritated. Tim said Pieter, his grandpa, would be so proud. Tim remembers his grandpa looking at modern art and muttering in Dutch "a bunch of welded together chimney pipe". We did see a Monet, although the colors were more muted than we expected. We also saw a few Picasso pieces. One area of the gallery has a computer with a touch pen to draw your own picture. Belia sat down and drew a picture that reminded us of her in that moment -so funny! I will post the picture. Overall Tate Modern was too sterile for our taste - maybe we will like the National gallery better.

We walked across Millennium Bridge eating caramelized peanuts that the vender sold us - definitely well worth it! Mmmm

We had a late supper in our flat winding down from our busy day.