Our flat is as beautiful as advertised online

View of the Thames from the communal terrace

On our first morning we walked from our flat toward the Tower Bridge passing St Katharine's Docks along the way.

Tower Bridge welcomes visitors to the Olympics

The Rings are raised along with the bridge to let a boat through.
This is an uncommon site.

The Tower of London

A castle with hundreds of years of history

During the 30 min Beefeaters Tour
this entertaining guide explained the history of this impressive site.
We spent 3 hours on our own, walking the ramparts, climbing the towers and viewing the artifacts and exhibits.

CLICK HERE for more Tower of London photos

2000 years ago the Queen of the Iceni led a revolt against Julius Caesar

Familiar sites of Westminster

The Churchill Museum and War Rooms: Step back in time
to see how WWII was directed from here.

An original battle map where I can see the pins marking
the Russian advance, including the battle of Dukla Pass in Slovakia
during which my cousins fled their homes into the forest.

Buckingham Palace

Queen Victoria Memorial

On Westminster Bridge on our way to the South Bank

On the South Bank looking back at Westminster

Hardly any line for the London Eye?

There they go! More LONDON EYE Photos

The studio where all 8 Harry Potter movies were filmed

From Diagon Alley to Hogwarts - just amazing!

CLICK HERE for more photos of the Harry Potter Studio

Back in London real train stations were used for the Hogwarts Express

where you can push a luggage cart just like in the movies.

Olympic Park: Two weeks until the opening ceremony

Our day in the London Countryside - CLICK HERE for even more photos

Stonehenge: 5000 years old and still a mystery

Arriving early in the morning, we're ahead of the tourist crowds

While Stonehenge is protected from souvenir seeking visitors, you can get up close and personal with stone circles at Avebury

Just avoid the grazing sheep and watch where you step!

Step back in time among the thatched roofs of the Cotswolds

It looks like Hobbits could live here.

The 400 year old village of Lacock

The village, church and cemetery appear to be right out of a Harry Potter movie

2000 years ago Romans built these baths to enjoy the natural hot springs

The Abbey is just visible adjacent to the site.

Looking down

The impressive abbey.

Windsor Castle

More photos of Windsor

Monument to the Great Fire of London
designed by Christopher Wren.

In 1666 the fire destroyed 80% of the city.

It's over 300 steps to the top.
If laid on its side facing east,
the top would hit the exact spot in which the fire began.

A friendly "Bobby" lent his hat to Jacob

Trafalgar Square and the Lord Moon of the Mall Pub

St. Paul's and the Millenium Bridge.
Harry Potter fans recognize this as the scene where the Death Eaters swoop down and destroy the bridge.

The Imperial War Museum. CLICK HERE for more photos.

There was more to see in the British Museum than we realized

CLICK HERE for more photos.

A different view on our last day in London.

Westminster Abbey

We planned to attend the evening service at Westminster Abbey.
Unfortunately, there was a special service for the opening of the Olympics
and advance tickets were required.

Right across the street from our flat - the oldest Riverside pub in London, circa 1520!

Waiting for our flight home at Heathrow Airport

Nice of the BBC to come see us off! Or to greet the thousands of athletes expected since the Athletes' Village opens today at Olympic Park