reading week pics continued

Another cute bird I have never seen before. There were about 6 of these birds all walking towards me.

I like his beak.

The Churchill War Rooms. This is the exact room where Churchill was and planned for most of WWII. The chair just right of the pole is where Churchill sat.

This is one of the maps used during WWII it was Churchill's since he was the First Lord of Admiralty (I think I got that right).

Only in England. The dog also had on some regalia. It looked like a Bulldog-fitting, since I just came from Churchill's War Rooms. Churchill loved and had Bulldogs. He even looked like a Bulldog.

Big Ben. My favorite landmark in the world.

Scotland Yard (and the police station). It has been at this location since 1890- that is very new for the UK. As a side note, they consider 1500- present as modern history here at St. A's. The old MI6 is also on this street, although there are no markings to indicate which building it was.

The Wellington Barracks. Right next to the Guards Museum, which I always love anything to do with the guards. I wanted to see these barracks too and got a surprise when I saw this from the Guards Museum shop. They are practicing for Remembrance Day on Sunday (the 13th). I think the Queen was going to be there as well, to lay a wreath. This is the band section. I was impressed that the band did not a. just stand there or b. just move back and forth together. They actually had parts moving up and down and some still and then later swapped.

I think he had a cardboard wreath he was practicing with. They were laid all around this step area.

The band.

There are 3 regiments that wear these hats (I have no clue which one(s) this is) and most of them fight, not just guard the palace.

These guys ride the horses. I think it looks like they are wearing dresses.

It was really weird to see these guys in red actually marching in real life, and there were lots of them. Again, no clue what unit these guys are in. I also like that the Scottish are represented in the band, even if they are in the back and there are few of them. But, where are the Irish then.

The guys in the background, that look like fireman, are Royal Marines. Every time there was an order given, the Royal Marine guys would start with, "Royal Marines, Royal Marines..." I think these guys are the better fighters/ more respected of the group, you could tell by the way the crowd reacted to seeing them. Everyone was very impressed when they all turned in unison to leave.  Also, during a 10 minute break, they used part of that time to practice as a group.

 The Royal Marines left first. Then, after like 10 minutes the big hat group and the horse group marched around the courtyard and left. As they did, the front guy saluted, I think where the Queen was going to be on Saturday. 

It was cool to see the military in a more relaxed state. A few people screwed up and no one was yelled at. There were also a few that were watching and no participating, one girl stepped out in the middle of the practice and no one minded.  I am pretty sure in the US military they would have been yelled at. Also, there was a 10 minute break or so that they had and they were all joking around and had their hats/helmets off.