Day 8: Last Day in London with Drew & Stacy

This past week has flown by and we have reached our last day in London and our pre-cruise adventures with Stacy and Drew. We have another good breakfast at the hotel then walk just up the street for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. As soon as we step out of our hotel we are surprised to find several large busses parked all along the route to the Palace. This is the largest crowd we have witnessed for this ceremony. We had passed by on the way to the hotel when we first arrived and again yesterday morning on our way to the London Eye. We do not arrive in time to get on the steps at the Victoria monument out front which is the best viewing spot. We join the crowds by the gate and get to see the parade of guards arrive. Once the 2 companies are in the gates a few people start to leave and shortly we get up to the fence for a decent view of the happenings.

As the ceremony ends it is about time for our driver and guide to pick up the 14 of us from the hotel and go on our Salisbury/Stonehenge outing. Last August I had booked all the available slots for a Special Access at Stonehenge for 14 people and we are joined by some of our cruisecritic.com friends. Andrew with International Friends is our guide for this trip and he is wonderful. We learn a lot of interesting facts on the way. Our first stop is Salisbury where we visit their market and have a walk around town before Andrew gives us a tour in the Salisbury Cathedral which houses one of the few remaining copies of the first Magna Carta, a very old working clock, and the tallest spire in England.

Next stop is the highlight of the day: Stonehenge after hours. Special Access is granted to just 25 people each evening to go beyond the ropes and walk among the Stones. It has been overcast all day and Andres had told us to be prepared for rain as we visited Stonehenge. Just as we arrived the sun peeped from beyond the clouds and it was beautiful—just what I was hoping for! The grass was so green and cushiony. This was an unbelievable experience.

Just outside the ropes/path which regular access visitors must stay behind:

Sadly, we return to the hotel and finish packing for the girls early morning departure.