We took far superior photos on our second trip to London, 2.5 years after our first foray there. Some reasons are obvious: the weather was better (fall instead of spring); we had a longer uninterrupted stay (5 days), and we had significantly better camera equipment. But we also had the advantage of researching better settings and better times of day to shoot (see Millennium Bridge and Buckingham Palace before the crowds arrive).
With five days and so many sites, choosing only ten photos for London would leave out so much. So I created two blog entries. This first one displays the Tower of London, a castle that has been on this site for a millennium, and nearby Tower and Millennium Bridge). The second entry will focus on Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum.
While we photographed the exterior of the Tower of London on our first visit, we discovered it to be very well worth the paid tour of the place. On advice from Rick Steves and others, we arrived before the 9:00 opening time and headed straight for the building that houses the Crown Jewels. This is kind of like heading to the most popular rides as soon as you enter Disneyland. At 9:00 we could walk straight in. By noon, the wait would be almost an hour.
The Tower of London, originally built in 1066, with the modern skyline encroaching from the left rear. This view is taken from the Tower Bridge. 
Inside the walls it feels like medieval England. 
White Hall, built in 1078 by William the Conqueror. 
Armor and weaponry from the last 1000 years are displayed in abundance here. 
And the Crown Jewels are here (no photographs allowed inside). The jewels are viewed from a moving sidewalk inside in order to keep the crowd moving. Look at the clock, and you will see no line at 9:10. By noon the square in front of the building is packed. 
The “Beefeaters” (now including women, obviously) stand guard over the castle and the jewels, and serve as hosts. She is wearing the royal insignia for Queen Elizabeth (E), the second (II), Regina, or queen (R). 
Immediately next to the tower is Tower Bridge, a car and walking bridge. 
On the upper level is a glass walkway and viewing platform. From the glass on which I am sitting, you can see the people, traffic and river below. 
A view of the River Thames and London from Tower Bridge. The Shard (designed to look like broken glass) on the left is the tallest building in the UK. It is about double the height of the Space Needle and 2/3 the height of the Empire St. Building. 
The last time I came, we got a picture of St. Paul’s cathedral from the front by day. This time, we captured the view at twilight from the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian walkway across the Thames very near Tower Bridge.
