![graces (2).jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSMzQbYgtGwRiidKdGTztaZvM2TPhfi8GXXMgukYKe15v/graces%20(2).jpg)

***Just over a year ago I was in London on a training course ([the DSDM variant of Agile project management](https://www.agilebusiness.org/what-is-dsdm), and I passed the exam and got qualified, thanks for asking!) But the missus and I took some time afterwards to do the necessary tourist stuff. Here are some of our travel pics…***

![tower bridge.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmeh3v8pHvzrQgY8DuD42idiByyTiWXQvkpo6cT9Zz7vKv/tower%20bridge.jpg)

We stayed just south of the river, in Blackfriars. That’s a short stroll over the bridge to the City landmarks – St Pauls, the Wren and Hawksmoor churches – with a slightly longer dander east to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London itself. 

![wren church.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWBvSxZ68EK6Y2NZdLPb9czJREHzGhLVqy4hwms7SsxrB/wren%20church.jpg)
![tower.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdPEWBvi5Wr4jyJxWY9UEuvG3sA93hqsjfSr4rW8D8i6t/tower.jpg)

At the northern end of the bridge is a terrific London pub called, boringly enough, [the Black Friar](https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1285723), built on the site of the medieval Dominican friary that gives the area its name, with an arts and crafts interior by sculptors Frederick T. Callcott & Henry Poole, it’s worth a stop for real ale and to admire the oddities of the décor as well.

![In the Black Friar.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmc5avKarheadcRWZg68BbZ6UKCPR79WieFR4oizrPRikx/In%20the%20Black%20Friar.jpg)

We also took the train west to Hampton Court palace, one of the great homes of English monarchs from Henry VIII (who seized it from the overthrown Cardinal Wolsey) to Queen Anne and William and Mary. 

![Hampton court.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaydh8a6YvnRdSg5gK66QWBKqYNxh2sgFysseTGyW1itV/Hampton%20court.jpg)

![Hampton court fireplace carving.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmNX5HZDrWvuWmP9u2hjd3VgTC3616mUdTPHMbdtwTR6aL/Hampton%20court%20fireplace%20carving.jpg)

![Gargoyle.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTFVxaSR7m5ePgwRuNycsdnkPC1KsxFFVhV2Dm6o6bJhz/Gargoyle.jpg)