Sunday the 24th

The corner of the Kennsington Palace.




Buckingham Palace--which you cannot go in this time of year.



The other band

They are wearing the winter dress--They don't look like Beefeaters, but they are.

Today was church, the changing of the guard, Hyde Park, and the Kennsington Palace. The royals have had a lot of palaces. This one housed William and Mary up through Victoria, although I don't think she used it for her whole reign.


Church was very American. The bishop was American. We sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." The priests who blessed the sacrament were American. The person who confirmed a new member was American. One of the speakers was American. However, I have to say the ward was huge. Also, it was tremendously multicultural. We went to the Hyde Park chapel which is in a very (to borrow a word from Michael) stoosh. There were Americans, Brits, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Philapeno, and African members. It was very cool, but "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"?

The changing of the guard was interesting and mobbed. I would hate to try to see it in July. I finally wormed my way right up to the fence and got to see what they were doing. It takes a long time with two bands and a lot of music. The music wasn't all marches either. They played the music from Les Miserables and Mama Mia.

After lunch, we went to Kennsington. It had a bunch of Princess Di dresses on display. She lived there after she split with Prince Charles.

It was an 8 mile walking day despite 2 taxi rides.