re: London and Paris this fall - all advice welcome

At the earliest opportunity, book reservations for the Ceremony Of The Keys at the Tower of London. You’ll want some cash for a traditional tip for the Yeoman Warder.

Visit the British Museum; avoid the V&A. When you visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, look for the memorial to Gen. Edward Packenham who died trying to invade New Orleans. Don’t be surprised if your hotel doesn’t have washcloths but you can stop in a Boots pharmacy and buy some “flannels.”

quote:

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Footsteps echo in the darkness. The sentry cries out, 'Halt, who comes there?' The Yeoman Warder replies, 'The keys.' 'Whose keys?' 'King Charles' keys.' 'Pass then, all's well.'

Aside from the monarch's name, this is the exact exchange that has been spoken for centuries and forms part of the traditional 'locking up' of the Tower of London.

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