Visitors! and Remembering in London

My parents' visit has been hoped for and planned for a long time. As they've had a crazy year, we've spent a lot of time worrying it wouldn't happen at all. But as you can see, circumstances came together and the happy day finally arrived! 

We spent their first couple of days showing them some of our favorite Cambridge walks and sites.

We also went to our favorite place to eat scones in the countryside - The Orchard at Grantchester. But then it was time for a bigger adventure.

Saturday it was time for a day out in London. I'd read about a new art installation at the Tower of London that I was interested in seeing in commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of World War I. I think it is beautiful and a touching tribute.

It's an installation of ceramic poppies, one for every fallen British soldier in World War I. They'll slowly be adding more, filling the moat, up until November 11th of this year, reaching a total of 888,246. I'm sure most everyone has read the poem "In Flanders Fields," which inspired the symbol of the poppy for war veterans:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

The Tower of London is very near the Tower Bridge, so we had to take a quick peak at that as well.

Next we decided to explore the Imperial War Museum. It was quite crowded, but it has nice exhibits on the Holocaust, families living through the second world war in London, planes and other war equipment, a new World War I exhibit (we we came too late to get tickets to it), among other things. A real history buff with lots of patience could easily spend the day. 

This picture is Camille trying out a World War II bomb shelter. My girls can be a little hit and miss with museums, but both seemed to enjoy this one.

We decided to take a quick walk to get a few more glimpses of iconic London.

The crowds and intensive walking required in London are a little tiring, so it was time to call it a day and take the train home. Another day closer to seeing everything London has to offer!