To the Tower Yeoman....

An excellent evening spent at the ceremonial of the keys at the Tower of London. I had the choice of too many photos in the end so went for the most basic (I'm a simple man). A select few of us, via Lady A's work, donned our gowns and suits and headed to the Tower for an in depth tour, a buffet and to watch the this historical site locked up. The Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Members of the Sovereign's Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary, popularly known as the Beefeaters, are ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London don't you know. There are 27 - all ex military serving over 22 years and they all live on Mint Street - within the TofL. They, ineffect, protect the Crown Jewels.

Although a lot of the ceremony of the keys (basically locking a big wooden door) is for tourism purposes it is tradition, of which Britain is so good at, and is rightly very military organised. The Americans, especially, love it.

Superb and I'm going back - but hopefully not to be beheaded...