After (happily) checking out of our hotel and grabbing a quick sandwich from Marks & Spencer we headed to the Tower of London for a guided tour. Lots of fun, (we took these pictures of the famous ravens of the Tower), but I don't think it was worth the admission price.
Do you know about the ravens? Besides the Tudor history with its beheadings and hauntings and all that wicked, great stuff, the story of the ravens in the Tower was especially interesting. Supposedly no one knows when ravens first started living in the Tower of London courtyards, but there is a legend about their constant presence: At least 6 ravens must remain in the Tower or else the English monarchy will fall.
The tour guide told us a story about The first Royal Observatory which was originally housed in the tower. According to legendary accounts, an astronomer to King Charles II in the late 1600's or so complained to the king that the birds were... ahem... interfering (pooping?) with his telescopes and, therefore, his observations. King Charles was about to have the ravens destroyed until someone in his court told him about the legend and the destruction of the kingdom should the ravens leave. The king changed his mind and decreed that at least 6 ravens should live in the Tower at all times.
The Tower has seven ravens (1 extra, like an understudy I guess), all with their wings clipped to prevent their flying away. They seem pretty happy, fat and content. There's a yeoman warder or "Beefeater" (official guards of the Tower) who's sole responsibility is to take care of the ravens. He's called the Raven Master (not to be mistaken with the Dungeon Master - hah hah.)
(JD at the outside of the Tower of London)In the afternoon, we said goodbye to London and flew back to Dublin. When we checked back into the Camden Deluxe, one of the front desk people (who we recognized and really liked) recognized us back and said with a smile, "you just can't stay away, can you?" We laughed... No, we're not done yet.
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