vintage_belle | (no subject)

I have just been to see the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. Oh, it was beautiful. Naturally, the locking of the tower has been an issue since the tower was built - not least because it used to be a prison complex. Now, as the tower holds the Crown Jewels, it is no less important, but it has evolved into a formal ceremony for viewing. There is something quite ghostly about the timed stomping of the guards and the jangling of the keys coming towards you along a cobbled road, let me tell you. And so much better for it being 22:00 instead of broad daylight when the tower is crawling with tourists taking photos. There are no photos allowed during the ceremony, and silence is required of all viewers. I could go and watch it every night if I could afford the tube tickets. Simply wonderful.

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The Crown Jewels are pretty. I wish I could have seen the locking up ceremony when I was there.

I've actually done it backwards - I've seen the Ceremony of the Keys, but not the jewels themselves. When I return from break that's the first thing I'll be doing.

Oh, I higly recommend it. I haven't ever seen so many shiny things in one place.