We went to breakfast earlier than usual so that we could catch a train to London. When we arrived at Windsor and Eton Riverside station, we had to wait several minutes whilst the ticket office assistant was on the telephone. When she had finished her call she informed that there was a reduced service during the summer months and this was advertised on the platform. At this stage we hadn’t got as far as the platform! We were further told us that the next train wouldn’t be for 45 minutes. We decided not to wait and walked to Windsor’s other station, Windsor and Eton Central, where there would be more options. We purchased our tickets which included the London Underground and as soon as we got onto on the platform a train arrived.

We arrived in London next to Tower Hill and the Tower of London without any delays. I purchased a Historic Royal Palaces season ticket for Mr C’s birthday present. We planned to visit Hampton Palace later during our stay so this option provided good value for money. Scaffolding was surrounding the main entrance to the Tower of London so visitors were directed to a temporary entrance.

Once inside the Tower, we walked round the outside of the White Tower to see the ceramic poppy display that had, once again, been installed at the Tower. On this occasion the poppies on display mark 80 years since VE day and the end of the Second World War.

At one stage the Tower’s resident squirrel scuttled through the poppies right to my feet probably expecting a tasty snack. He left disappointed, he needs to see the Yeoman Warders for those. Speaking of Yeoman Warders, we made our way from the poppies to the meeting point for a Yeoman Warder talk. Our guide tuned out to be John, the Yeoman Gaoler.  The talk was excellent, bringing the Tower and its history to life. One part of the tour wasn’t possible, The Church of St Peter ad Vincula, which was cordoned off for restoration and repairs.

Next we had some lunch in the busy café where we were lucky enough to find a seat. We left the café to find that there was no longer a queue to visit the Crown Jewels so we took the opportunity to see them next as they are always worth a visit. When we had finished in the Jewel House we found that there was no queue to enter the White Tower which is home to the Royal Armouries so we went in.

It was an unexpected bonus be able to do both, we had thought the queues to get in would be too long and we would only have time to visit one of them. As we were leaving the White Tower, I purchased a couple of books about the Tower of London and a book about the Crown Jewels. It was now time to catch the train back to Windsor. The trains ran smoothly and we arrived back in Windsor at 6pm. We were able to book a table in the Giggling Squid for later in the evening after we had freshened up after our days adventure. The food and service were excellent and we got chatting to a couple of ladies on a nearby table. We returning to the George Inn for a nightcap before turning in for the night.

I had a good night’s sleep and was awoken by both the alarm clock and the construction workers refurbishing the White Hart Hotel on the opposite side of the road. I thought that 7am was a little early for such noisy activities to be taking place.

We crossed the courtyard to the breakfast room where we chose a window table. Breakfast was as good as I remembered it and, this time, I was able to relax and enjoy it.

The weather was lovely so we decided to visit Lincoln Castle for the wall walk and to see the Magna Carta and Forest Charter. We were pleasantly surprised to find that there was a cheaper day ticket option that allowed us to experience both of these for a reduced price. However, when we started to buy our tickets, we were disappointed to find out that the Magna Carta had been removed the previous morning and that only a replica was on view so we bought a ticket for the wall walk only. The views over the city and into the castle precinct were well worth the climb up the stairs, the lift being out of order.

After the lofty heights we descended the hill, the long way round, into the lower town where we caught the end of the Freedom Parade which was celebrating the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the 65th anniversary of the granting of the Freedom of the City to RAF Waddington.

Before heading to the Lincolnshire Museum we had lunch in Madame Waffle where I chose cherry bakewell with morello cherries; it was delicious.

We always enjoy the displays in the Lincolnshire Museum but on this occasion, we particularly wanted to see the Roman dodecahedron found nearby during an archaeological dig. It is one of the largest of only 33 dodecahedrons found in the United Kingdom and, despite research, it is not known what the object was used for.

Afterwards, we had time to spare so we returned to the Cathedral in search of the Lincolnshire Imp which I knew was located in the Angel Choir, to the left of the ‘Our Lady of Lincoln’ sculpture. As luck would have it, we arrived just as a tour guide was explaining the area. I was patient and waited until she shone her torch on the little imp and explained why he might have been carved there.

Back in our room we played a board game, 7 Wonders Duel (I lost miserably) before getting ready for our anniversary meal in a restaurant, La Trattoria da Vincenzo located at the bottom of Steep Hill. The food was delicious but the restaurant was lacking in atmosphere.

After dining we embarked on the challenging walk up Steep Hill stopping off at the Wig & Mitre for a nightcap before returning to Castle View for the evening.

I have now completed my ‘Race the Distance ‘ 50 mile virtual walk to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. Myvirtual walk took me  along the beaches of Normandy where the D-Day landings took place.

When my medal arrives I hope to do something special on June 6th to complete my commemoration of the day.