A roost for every bird

Day 3 in London, and it's bloody freezing! We can't get homesick because it feels like we're home. To me, London feels like a European New York City. It's different in many ways, but mostly very similar.

Today we visited The Tower of London. Jasper is really in to dungeons, palaces, knights, and fairy tales and was in awe as we explored a real palace/fortress complete with live costumed re-enactments at various areas. Torture at the Tower was a big hit. We went down into a dungeon where they had an electronic poll of people's opinions on torture (Always Ok, Sometimes, Never Ok) and a room set up with all the various torture devices used and cells along the wall. They were hard core in the 1100s! The White Tower is in the center of the grounds and marks the start of the Tower's history as both a palace and fortress since it's main purpose was protection. Today it houses the armour of Henry VIII.
Outside the palace with The White Tower in the background
The Crown Jewels are also here (although we didn't see them--too long of a "queu"), as well as the Bloody Tower known best for all the deaths that occurred inside the dark rooms by order of the Duke of Gloucester. Apparently it was very scandalis. My favorite part (and the most famous) was the Ravens. There are HUGE ravens roaming the grounds outside the White Tower. Like the size of a small child. They were beautiful, and quite vocal. Legend has it that Charles II was told that if the ravens left the Tower, the kingdom and the fortress would fall. Their wings are clipped and the Ravenmaster keeps a close eye on them, just in case!
Waterloo Block (Crown Jewels)

Guarding the Jewels
Just outside The Tower of London is The Tower Bridge which is a combined bascule and suspension bridge. It's beautiful in it's red, white and blue grandeur (in honor of the Queen's Silver Jubilee).

After this Jasper and parents went to the Tate Modern, but Hayden was in desperate need of nap so we came back to the hotel. I hear it's awesome though so maybe I'll go another day.
Naptime!