The Queen's Guard

The Queen's Guard is the name given to the infantry contingent that is charged with guarding the royal residences in London. The Tower of London, where this photograph was taken, is also classified as a royal residence. I am in awe of these guards because I don't understand the will power these men have to stand and not be distracted for so long. In fact on one visit to Edinburgh Castle in Scotland on a bitterly cold day, my ex-wife decided to see if the old adage that a true Scotsman wears nothing under his kilt is true. She knelt down in front of the guard and waited for him to begin his march, which he did every 5 minutes or so and when he lifted his leg to begin the march she pronounced him a true Scotsman.

This photograph was taken outside of the Jewel House, home of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. The Jewel House is a pretty amazing place, unfortunately they do not allow photographs inside so I cannot show all those gold crowns encrusted with dazzling rubies, diamonds and other expensive stones. I find it  amazing that the jewels on display are the real crowns and jewels used by the Royal family. At first I had to wonder if they were just replicas, but everything I have read says they are real and my mum told me that when she visited the jewels a notice said that a particular item was missing because it was currently in ceremonial use.