Tommy stayed home sick today, so I spent the day coding and taking care of him. He’s currently asleep. The weather outside is quite nice—unseasonably warm. I’ve been reflecting on the cruise we have planned for July/August, during which we will be in London for a few days. I did some research on London’s history, and several aspects stood out to me. I’d like to look up the other ports included in our cruise, but I don’t have the itinerary on hand. I’ll need to ask Tommy for it again. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned some of these things before; I believe I have, as I’ve talked about London previously.
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The Oldest Underground Railway – The London Underground (Tube) opened in 1863, making it the world’s first underground railway system.
A City of Many Names – London has had many names over time, including “Londinium” (Roman era) and “Lundenwic” (Anglo-Saxon period).
The Ravens of the Tower – A superstition states that if the ravens at the Tower of London ever leave, the kingdom will fall. To prevent this, ravens are cared for by a dedicated “Ravenmaster.”
The Hidden River Thames – The Thames has several underground tributaries, like the River Fleet, which still flows beneath parts of London.
The Smallest Police Station – A tiny, one-person police station sits in Trafalgar Square. It was originally used for monitoring protests.
Mismatched Bridges – The famous London Bridge is often confused with Tower Bridge (the one with the iconic towers). The actual London Bridge is a plain structure, and an older version of it was sold to an American businessman and rebuilt in Arizona.
Secret Tunnels & Bunkers – London has hidden tunnels, including Winston Churchill’s wartime bunker and abandoned Tube stations like Aldwych.
Big Ben Isn’t a Tower – “Big Ben” is the nickname for the Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, not the tower itself.
Royal Swans – The King technically owns all unmarked mute swans in the UK, a law that dates back to the 12th century.
The King’s Guard Can’t Smile – The guards at Buckingham Palace are famous for their serious expressions, and they can get fined if they laugh or smile on duty.
Traffic Rules for Black Cabs – London black cabs have a turning circle designed to navigate tight roads and perform a U-turn in front of the Savoy Hotel.
A City Within a City – The City of London (the historic financial district) has its mayor, police force, and governance separate from the Greater London area.
This is all I have for now. I’ve spent 45 minutes writing and should really get back to coding. However, I think I’ve managed to create an upbeat post today, which makes me feel better mentally. Physically, though, I’m dealing with a mild headache. I had my medication management appointment today, and it went well. I got my prescriptions refilled and also scheduled a doctor’s appointment; the earliest they could fit me in is March. They won’t refill my blood pressure medication without that appointment, but I’m relieved to have enough medication to last until then.
