London, Day 3

The days are long and full. Especially because I found myself up at 3am this morning unable to sleep! It was a nice time to read and I am enjoying a historical fiction book on John Knox by Douglas Bond. It's nice to just take the lift (elevator) downstairs and have breakfast ready for us. While it is the same each morning, it is plenty and enjoyable. There is a lot of breads (croissants, danishs, regular breads), hard boiled eggs, cheeses, yogurt, cereals, spreads, juices, teas and coffee.

Today we caught the bus and enjoyed the magnificence of St. Paul's cathedral and Westminster Abbey. However, more enjoyable than the eloquence of the Catholic church was finding a small graveyard tucked into the skyscrapers of London - a place even the locals don't go - and seeing the graves of John Bunyan, John Owen, Susannah Wesley...among others. It was a treat to be given a personal tour by the undertaker there.

Tom seemed to fit the part of caretaker (dirt under the nails, carrying a knife in his hands, pallid. . .) and with the dreary London weather it was a perfect day to plod around a graveyard. He took time to show us a catatomb that had crumbled and we could see the decayed coffin and bones way down in the ground.

Puritan John Owen

John Bunyun's grave

Sandy and I together still did not match Susannah Wesley childbearing! Sadly, more than half of her babies died in infancy so I think I match her in child rearing. Still, that's a LOT of pregnancies and deliveries!

Across the street we found the home of John Wesley and a Methodist chapel behind his home containing Charles Wesley's organ and authentic John Crapper toliets. Interestingly enough, Wesley's site was listed on the local map while the cemetary containing such Greats was not! We enjoyed seeing Wesley's memorial and acknowledge him as a man of God who was also used in many ways. Unfortunately, he will be always be coupled with a very liberal and often heretical religion, Methodism. I doubt that he would recognize it as his today.

We then headed to the Museum of London which was a wonderful museum and very interesting history and artifacts, many that could be touched. The only disappointment was the lack of coverage of the Reformation. The reformation was really reduced to King Henry's desire to institute a new church that would allow his divorces. It was fascinating seeing the history and changes of London - from early Roman rule through the Great Fire into the World Wars and to the present.

 A trip to London is not complete without a picture of Big Ben in the background. I always thought the tower was named Big Ben. Found out today that it is only the clock that bears the name. I forget the name of the tower and bell....probably Victoria or Elizabeth:).

 Although it was a bit rainy, we were still able to enjoy a boat ride down the Thames. Stopping at the Eye of London (basically a big ferris wheel), we then took off on an adventure of finding Memorial Tabernacle - made know by Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers. It was neat to find it, but unfortunately it was not the thrill of the Westminster Chapel which remained untouched. The Tabernacle had been destroyed during the WWII and the rebuilding of it was very modern and a bit disappointing. However, the book store was fantastic and it was very encouraging to see the great books offered there. I wonder how many know that that little treasure of a bookstore is there?

Needing to catch the bus by 5pm, we made some fun memories walking/running madly about trying to find the bus stop! Nothing like old people running. . . we were thankful to make it and enjoy a ride back to the hotel.

Well, the others have freshened up and it's time to go find a bite for dinner. PDave is wanting pizza. . .so we're off!