Wednesday July 8, 2026
Well, today didn’t go smoothly as planned. The Horse Guard Parade doesn’t start until 11:00, which I had planned the day around. (not really time to do something before it) The Changing of the Horse Guard at Horse Guards Parade is done daily with a parade and inspection. However, when we got there and went to the “usual” place where people stand to see it, it was set up for an event and there was a troupe was practicing. We asked the police that were there where we should stand and they said they didn’t know. They said a military event was happening that night, and it will be decided just before if it’s in the front or the back. (once you committed it was blocked off and you couldn’t switch)
We found out that it was a Military Musical Spectacular (titled Inspiring a Nation). It was a concert featuring the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber performed by the British Army's Household Division at Horse Guards Parade, some West End performers, a Swiss group called Top Secret Drum Corps, and more. There was a guy passing out flyers trying to sell tickets for the event that would start that night and run for a few days.
Anyway, we got to see the Horse Guard come in but today the inspection was done out front. We waited way too long to see if they were coming back (wasting a ton of time) before we decided to bail and continue the day. It was past lunch time, and we headed to the Hop On Hop Off Boat. (included in our Go City Pass) Video of them coming in and the Top Sevret Drum Corps practicing. (there was lots of yelling in their language)
We got on the HOHO boat at Westminster Pier and waited in line for what seemed like forever and got on and took an inside seat. (we were towards the end of the line that would fit and there weren't a lot of seats left) We ordered a couple of sandwiches and ate as we watched the views of the Houses of Parliament & Big Ben, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Cutty Sark and sailed under Tower Bridge and had great views of the cityscape from the Thames.
Here is where another thing didn’t go as planned. They announced they would take a 45-minute break at the Cutty Sark Pier. Everyone had to get off and then reboard when it was time. So, we got off and didn’t have time to walk all the way to the Meridian Line but got some gelato at Amorino (which has been our favorite gelato shop around the world) and just walked around the area.
Finally, back on board we made the return trip and we decided to bail at Tower Pier as it would have taken longer to go by slow boat than to jump off and grab the Underground to St. Paul’s Cathedral. (we debated going to Westminster Abbey first, but the Go Pass said it’s easier to get in the Abbey later in the day, so we started at St. Paul’s)
From there we hopped on a train to Westminster Abbey & Parliament (Big Ben is actually the bell not the clock tower).
Once we finally got to Westminster Abbey, we were surprised that the line was so short. We got in line and a man came down the line to make sure everyone in line knew the church was closed unless going to Choral Evensong and that no photos would be allowed. We went inside at least to see it but weren’t allowed out of line as they were funneling you in for specific seats. Since we weren’t free to roam and see the various areas we bailed and decided to grab dinner at China Town before the play. So, two trips to London and both times unable to see the Abbey. (So, 2 things on the Go Pass went unused) We would have aimed earlier but the Pass said after 1:00 and later in the afternoon was better. (closing at 3:30 would have been good to know) I notice now that the Go Pass is now requiring reservations and you get a time slot. That would have been so much better for our visit.
So, we grabbed trains and a bus to get to China Town. Got a few more photos of the Trafalgar Square area on the way. We didn’t choose our restaurant well. The first place they put us at a small table upstairs way in the back, and it smelled like it was next to a bucket of bleach. We asked to be moved and again were crammed in, and it was hot with no A/C and we just got up and left. The next place was nice and the food was OK, just not WOW. We ordered two dishes to split. Found gelato and then a bus to the West End. The bus was HOT and no A/C and no windows could be opened.
The Book of Mormon was at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End. We have never laughed so hard in our lives as we did at this play. It’s boldly irreverent and is a satirical musical by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. (known for their daring approach to pushing the boundaries on controversial topics)
It follows the journey of two missionaries who dream of serving in Orlando, only to be told they must serve in Uganda. While in Africa, they share their scriptures with the local community. The locals don’t care about what they have to say: AIDS, famine, and warlords pose a more significant threat. Elder Price and Elder Cunningham are the missionaries as they spread the gospel and attempt to make every day a latter day. Many twists and turns and of course devilishly irreverent.
We took the Underground to get back to the hotel where we were already mostly packed up to go to the cruise port in Southhampton tomorrow morning.
Web Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eMfBbn49MZgsa72y7
