London Sights

Dear Noah & Ava,

I've been very busy walking all around London. It's an interesting city because it's over 1000 years old, but parts of it are sort of new and other parts are very new.

There was a very big fire here in 1666, over 350 years ago. It destroyed most of the city, so new buildings were built. Then, again, about 65 years ago, there was another fire AND London was in a very big fight called a war. They were fighting with another country who wanted to take their land. Many bombs were dropped on London and ruined a lot of the buildings. So they rebuilt again! As a result there are shiny new buildings next to 350 year old buildings next to old stone walls that are 1000 years old. It's much fun to see!

Flat Noah & Flat Ava came along and especially enjoyed one of the newest additions to the city.....the London Eye (the huge ferris wheel that was built only 10 years ago). We're going to go for a ride on it sometime next week.

We found out that the very tall square building with the clock in it is call St. Stephens Tower. Most people think it's called Big Ben, but Big Ben is really the name of the bell inside the tower. It rings every hour to let people know what time it is.

I also visited one of the older buildings that wasn't destroyed by fire or bombs...it's called Guildhall and it's been the town hall of London for 800 years.
Tell your Mom that Grandma and Pata Peter went to a fancy dinner there once when they were first married. It was great fun to see it again. It's website is http://www.guildhall.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ if you'd like to see what it looks like when a dinner party is going on.

I love you guys and miss you!

Love.....Grandma