a Twofer - the Tower of London and a bonus...

 Today is a Bank Holiday in the UK and I decided as the weather is nice, to go to London to the Tower of London to see the updated exhibition for the Crown Jewels following the King's Coronation, and the wildflowers in the Moat... I was not disappointed

I got there before opening time (there's a surprise!)  but there was already a queue of tourists lining up...

I took a peak at the Moat from the path that leads to the entrance.... didn't look much from up there ..

but better in the other direction 

we watched the Yeoman Warders and their Guard escort coming to unlock the Tower for the day... 

I decided because it always gets crowded, to head for the Crown Jewels first

opening time is 9,  I scurried round to the exhibition.

the King's ciper CIIIR  replacing EIIR on the wall

behind us, the White Tower

you can't take photographs inside of the Crown Jewels, but they were as spectacular as they looked on TV for the Coronation.  it was quite emotional seeing them back in the Tower.

the Tower, as part of the celebrations for the Coronation, invited schools from all over the UK to design benches  and they are on display in the Coronation Bench Trail until September (when each bench will go back to the school who designed it)

there are 15 in total but one is at Hillsborough Castle in Ireland, and I didn't find them all I don't think....

I tried to get each end (they were different) and the main bench and some of the backs (once I realised they were also decorated)

hopefully you can read the labels with the school details.  the schools were all different age groups which was nice

time check - 9.30 (I don't hang about!)

this one spoke to the crafter in me with it's phrases

and this one was beautiful

the ravens -  they are keeping several of them still in their enclosures due to the threat of Avian Flu although some of them are allowed out now as there were some flying around the grounds

it was time to go down to the Moat...

you just walk down the slope this year - the slide that was part of Superbloom for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee is long gone (sadly)

they've got new signs up telling visitors a bit about the idea behind the Moat in Bloom so I tried to get those too.

it was mostly poppies and cornflowers, just stunning once you got down to the Moat....

splashes of golden California poppies too

I took some on the phone too...

that crowd of visitors were waiting for a Yeoman Warder tour -  I decided against joining them this time, fun though they are. 

and concentrated on the beautiful flowers

rounding the corner a sea of poppies greeted me.... oh boy!  

it was as beautiful as the ceramic poppies in 2018 for the WWII  anniversary

every now and then a different colour

there was a stiff breeze (playing havoc with the photos) but it was sunny and I was having trouble seeing the results of the photos on screen....

the path through the flowers is the same as last year, it's hard to remember this used to be just grass - it is such a good idea

some parts have been built up which look great

these pink ones were stunning, and big!  

the people at the top of this photo are walking along the lower path from the main road to the Tower - you get a decent view from that level 

nearly at the end now, Tower Bridge is coming into sight 

the copper dragonflies are still there, looking as good as I remember

right at the far end, a beautiful purple poppy

you wind your way back into the Tower itself,

time check!  

a Yeoman Warder was leading a large group up the slope by the White Tower on his tour

they really are popular!  

I made my way out

pausing to take some photos from the path along the Thames

I do like The Shard!

I was wondering about exploring some more of London, but it was busy with tourists .. but...

Whilst I was in the moat, 

I got a message from Kim who had gone to Kew again... we missed the Titan arum flowering - it happened yesterday.. but she said it was still a bit stinky! 

quite fortuitously, when i got back to the tube station, a train was pulling into the station.  It was a District line train... going to Richmond.... which made my decision for me.

so, about 40 minutes later....

here is the bonus...  it was still only about 11.30!

Kim was still there, and was waiting for me by my opening shot post!!

tulip tree flower  

we headed straight for the Princess of Wales conservatory 

pausing by this pretty passionflower near the door

before 

heading to see what was left.. it hasn't started collapsing yet, 

amazing, the sign said it was open for about 5 hours yesterday, it really doesn't last long at all.

they always cut a viewing hole in the base.

ah well, maybe next time!  

Kim said this one was open when she was in  there a couple of hours earlier too!  

this one you couldn't really see as it was facing the window not the public! 

round in the Evolution garden 

some gorgeous irises

in unusual colours

the white ones I forgot to look at on Saturday

deep purple sweet peas

along by the vegetable beds 

the wildflower border is coming out nicely

mostly white daisies though

evolution garden,  there were some of these in the moat too

the roses on the pergola through the evolution garden are coming out 

can always find room for some more poppies

further along the pergola

peonies

the round allium bed, as I headed for the station - just missed the train today (bank holiday times slightly different to Saturdays)  so I had a half hour wait... was nice to sit down though after my exertions.

it was just a short Kew bonus visit for me,  thanks for looking - hope you enjoyed the Tower Moat especially!