DAY 2: LONDON

HISTORY isn't always pretty but the Brits believe that if you've got it, flaunt it.
At least that's the impression we have after visiting the Tower of London.
The sprawling enclave that is Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress,  just a stroll from the Tower Bridge on the north bank of the River Thames, has had many uses from its beginnings in 1066 - including as a zoo, the official mint and the tourist attraction it is today.

But most people visit to hear of the famous prisoners who were incarcerated here -  all royals and those of  noble birth, including Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I before she became queen and Sir Thomas More.
Only seven executions took place within its walls, with most of the 112 over a 400-year history conducted publicly by masked executioners amid a carnival atmosphere at notorious nearby Tower Hill.
If you  have plenty of time, join a tour conducted by one of the Beefeaters - Yeoman Guards - for a fascinating and bizarrely funny insight into the architecture, moats and characters sent to the Tower.
Of course, if you have  a tight schedule, you may choose only to visit the Crown Jewels.

The Crown Jewels, which are part of the Royal Collection, are displayed to millions of visitors every year. The Jewel House at the Tower has been used for the secure storage of the precious ceremonial and symbolic objects used in the coronation of English kings and queens since the early 14th century, when Westminster Abbey was found to be unsafe.

Be bedazzled by the history (the oldest piece is a relatively plain-looking 12th century gold coronation spoon used to anoint the new monarch's head with holy oil that survived destruction under Oliver Cromwell), as well as the gold (see the huge coronation altar dish measuring nearly a metre wide and featuring a centrepiece representation of Christ at the Last Supper), gemstones and diamonds of massive size (including the splendour of the 317-carat Cullinan II diamond in the Imperial State Crown).

You'll most likely queue to get in for the Crown Jewels, Bloody Tower and even the White Tower but a stroll around the imposingly impressive fortress will be worth the ticket price alone.

Today's lesson: I should have realised the Tower of London was much more than just the Crown Jewels and set aside more than that 90 minutes I'd allowed on The Original Tour hop on, hop off bus to take in all the displays.

Squirrel count: 4