
In 1994 we went to the UK to visit our new friends in several parts of the country, but our primary hosts were Howard and Mary Habron. Besides drinking a hell of a lot of beer, Howard arranged a real magical night at the end of trip.
Howard arranged for us to attend the Ceremony of the Keyes, which is in the Tower of London at night. I mean this was better than a date with Raquel Welch, but of course, that has not happened to me yet.
This ceremony has been going on every night since 1340. It is the formal locking of the gates at night at the Tower of London. On our night, about twenty people were attending the ceremony. Despite being a photographer, I was happy that no cameras or photography is allowed during the ceremony.
We showed up and were assigned our own Yeoman, who looked and acted like he was born and raised in the Tower. He was a very colorful retired army sergeant. Best of all, he bought us a pint of lager before and after the ceremony in the yeoman's pub.
We left the pub and walked to the gates just before the ceremony. As we did so, we walked by Traitors Gate were people were brought in off the Thames. Think of the people who never left the Tower.
After the Ceremony, after the last pint of lager, we all left the Tower. To be in the Tower at night was a very cool experience, and I felt like a hot tourist for being in there for the Ceremony.
Both the wife and I really appreciated the Habrons for the experience, and in fact, it was a magical night.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceremony_of_the_Keys