The Last Day!

On this, my last full day in England, I was to go on a tour to Dover, but it was cancelled after I made my way to the meeting point!  The bus had broken down on the way, with no replacement available.  I ended up going with a group of members from my tour on a trip to see the Middle Temple.  This is one of the four Inns of Court in London. The other three include Inner Temple, Gray’s Inn, and Lincoln’s Inn. The Inns of Court serve as the nerve centers for the legal profession. Barristers must belong to one of the four in order to be called to the bar. Each of the Inns includes a network of buildings, accommodation, libraries, gardens, a church or chapel – and a great hall. We were lucky to have lunch in the Middle Temple.

Big Ben

Parliament Building

Westminster Abbey

Middle Temple

Gardens of Middle Temple

Entrance to Middle Temple

Inside Middle Temple where we ate

Temple church

We also saw the Temple Church, which was founded by the Knights Templar as their English headquarters in medieval times. It is now jointly owned by the Inner Temple and Middle Temple, Inns of Court.  It is famous for being a round church, a common design feature for Knights Templar churches and for its 13th- and 14th-Century stone effigies. It was heavily damaged by German bombing during World War II and has since been greatly restored. 

After arriving back in my hotel room and sitting on my suitcase to pack (literally!), I decided to do it up right. A friend from the tour was going to meet me at a restaurant to say goodbye but she had to go to a work event, so I changed the reservation for one, got myself in a dress, and walked across the Thames River.  I went to a restaurant called XOXO, which had a beautiful view of the Thames and the Shard skycraper. I ended it all by taking my wine glass, toasting my trip and said to myself I am one lucky girl to have gotten to experience this trip!

View of the Thames

XOXOXO Restaurant-loved that view!

PS I was glad to get home to Allen, Anna and Chip! J