Day 9 - Tuesday, April 25th. 2017

Like any great novel, our literary tour has come to an end and as we pack up our suitcases for one final time this morning.  There is an attachment we feel for this country that didn't exist just eight days ago. Our bags overflow with a souvenir trail of priceless memories that will help us translate our journey to you back home. 

Just a few final things to do before we go. We ate our last English breakfast and headed out into the sunshine for a walk through St. James Park to bid farewell to the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Final group shots of tired but happy smiles capture the mood- exhausted but contented. 

A little memorial set up in front of Parliament for the attack there a few weeks ago

Looking back as we walk by Parliament, this view never gets old!

Beautiful views throughout the park

Buckingham Palace in the distance

A little stop in the park to enjoy the beautiful flowers

Buckingham Palace

Protecting the Queen

Our men at the palace gate

I think we exhausted the kids...

...and the adults! But we weren't ready to leave

We're going to miss this

We concluded this tour with a little altitude on the city on the London Eye. The sights were spectacular!  Cast against the backdrop of bright blue skies, it is indeed a vibrant city, but one that needs Christ desperately. We know how to pray with specificity now. 

Heading back to ride the London Eye

Each capsule holds 28 people so we split up and were ready to board

The view from the top

Looking down to Westminster Bridge

Looking across and up the river a bit

The view behind our hotel and Waterloo Station - Britain's busiest railway station 

Grabbing our luggage and waiting for the bus

Enjoying the view one last time before leaving

When you're tired, you'll sleep anywhere! (now that's being resourceful)

At the airport but not ready to leave

50 travelers, 100+ pieces of luggage, over 45 walking miles, 620 miles by coach, 5 modes of transportation, 6 cities, 8 days and 1 great God to whom we are so grateful for the privilege of this journey. Thank you for sharing it with us, and thank you England for opening your doors and your hearts to us on this 2017 Literary Tour. If God wills, we will see you next year!

Till next time, England

Day 8 - Monday, April 24th. 2017

Big Ben greeted us with chimes to start our day. Our hotel sits on the river Thames and is directly across from Elizabeth Tower, which holds the famous icon. Breakfast was served against panoramic windows which gave us a full view of Parliament, Big Ben, the Ministry of Defense, the river, and the London Eye. 

Enjoying a wonderful breakfast to kick start our busy day in London.

Getting our instruction in the Gilray's lounge area which was often our meeting spot

Our wonderful hotel overlooking the river 

Our hotel entrance

Another beautiful view of our hotel

We wrapped up for a brisk walk to Westminster Abby and visited kings and queens, poets and artists, scientists and even missionaries – all those who have made their mark on this incredible country. 

Such a beautiful sight each day as we walked across Westminster Bridge

Big Ben

Patiently waiting for our turn to cross

Westminster Abby

The front entrance to the Abby

Had to take a panorama shot to get the whole building in the picture

As we left Westminster Abby, we headed down for our first of several tube rides for the day.  Shakespeare's Globe was our next event. Imagine our surprise when, for the first time in our trip's history, we were able to observe the Royal Shakespearean actors practicing for Romeo and Juliet! It was such a treat! Off to a theater workshop ourselves, where our students were instructed in the art of dramatics with professional actors. 

One of the less crowded trains where we actually got some seats

Trying not to hold on through the stops and starts of the ride

Thank goodness for the escalators that take us up and down

Walking along the river to the Globe

Roses places at the entrance of the Globe in honor of Shakespeare's birthday

Inside the Globe Theatre

A picture of what the Globe looks like during a performance

Heading into our workshop

Loved watching all the kids really getting into in

and even some of the adults

Under overcast clouds with slight drizzle we made our way across the famous Millennial  Bridge to London's finest shops in Covent Garden. Last minute souvenir shopping and we hopped the tube back to the hotel. It is a Herculean feat to safely navigate 50 people through the crowded underground and onto the same train. Our ambitious travelers took on the challenge and perfected the art of "tubing"!  We lost no one!

Walking over Millennial Bridge

St Paul's Cathedral was a beauty to behold, famous for the wedding of Princess Diana to Prince Charles 

St. Paul's Cathedral 

Navigating our way through the massive London Underground

The charming Covent Gardens

Patiently waiting whilst some shopped in a Cath Kidston store

A little daddy daughter time

Back at the hotel we cleaned up and met for a final family dinner in the very library in our hotel where Margaret Thatcher met with heads of State regularly. Dinner was delicious but far sweeter were the testimonies spoken of the joys, discoveries, and precious moments each traveler had experienced. It was the perfect benediction to this trip. 

A table fit for a king ... or... 50 hungry travelers

Getting ready to break bread together and share sweet testimonies from the trip

Enjoying a delicious steak dinner together

But alas, the night was not quite over! We braved the Tube again into the West End theater district for Aladdin. It was a magnificent performance!  A full day it was, and we are ready for one more sweet sleep before we return home. Beginning to feel like we belong here- it's going to be a difficult good-bye. 

The Prince Edward Theatre to see Aladdin 

A beautiful sight walking across he bridge back to our hotel

Back home for the night