Day 5 21 Mar 2006 Changing of the Guard

We didn't get up as early today and just took the underground to St. James Park around 10:00 after eating breakfast since the changing of the guard is not until 11:15.

Took some pictures of the gates with the royal emblem and picked a spot right by the gate.




The relieving guards arrived on time with the band however, the farther gate was used for their entry. We were by the the exit gate and the gates were closed so the scene was obscured by the bars.


We just watched the proceedings and conversed with the one of the mounted policeman guarding the gate and controlling the pedestrian traffic. We were very close to the horse which was very friendly and licked mom's hands which I was able to take a picture of. The horse then turned its attention on me and nuzzled my face but mom was too close so she wasn't able to aim the camera.

The band formed up right next to the gate and started playing some tunes starting with Billy Joel's hits of 'Movin' Out, 'Piano Man', 'Only the Good Die Young' and 'Just The Way You Are' and then regular martial music. The crowd really enjoyed the entertainment especially the Billy Joel songs.

Another group of guards with a band paraded by afterwards and we found out that they were the queen's guards. They also went into the courtyard via the opposite gate and then formed up facing the other group.





It took about an hour for the whole ceremony and the middle gates were finally opened. The off-going guards marched out first in slow cadence followed by their band and the other groups followed behind.




















We took the Metro to St. Paul's Cathedral where we walked around and took pictures. This is like London's St. Peter Basilica where most of their heroes and royalties were buried and where Charles and Diana were married.





Took the Metro again this time to Parliament Square to walk around and take pictures of the Parliament building, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. The architectural design of the structures are very impressive and pictures alone are not enough to describe their beauty.









Took the bus this time to Picadilly Circus and bought tickets for the Broadway musical 'Mamma Mia' based on the songs by Abba. This was the most popular show right now so the tickets were not discounted. Had dinner at KFC while waiting for the show.

The venue was at the Prince of Wales Theater and was a bit smaller than the 'Producers' but the show is still sold out. An outstanding presentation, very entertaining and well worth watching. It's a story about a young woman and her mother finding themselves involved in past events on the eve of the daughter's wedding day. Storyline followed various songs by Abba including 'Money, Money, Money' and 'Dancing Queen'.







Took the bus home afterwards which took us a while because we had to look for the correct bus stop. Another great day.