Windsor Castle

     On Saturday morning, I headed into the office to try and get some much-needed paperwork done.  I was to meet Valerie in there at 9:00am, but she never showed.  The day was absolutely georgeous -- sunny (not a cloud in the sky) and warm with the smells of spring in the air.  I had planned only to work until noon, so I knew that I had to focus to try to put a dent in my "cyclone of a desk."  I was able to accomplish some filing, answering emails, typing contact summaries; however, the time flew by and before I knew it, the time was 11:30am.  As I prepared to begin another report, I decided the day was too beautiful to waste indoors, so I began to pack it in.  As I was doing so, Valerie sauntered through the front door.  She was coming to do her paperwork.  As I was talking with her,  Jana and Danielle called and said they were going to Windsor Castle and invited me along. HMMMMMMM . . . OKAY!!!!!   No chance was I missing out on this awesome opportunity on such a lovely day.

     I met them at the train station to catch our train from Reading to Slough to Windsor.  A very short train ride - about half-an-hour in total. This was the last weekend of the Spring school holiday and the weather was the best in the UK this year, so one could only imagine how Windsor Castle might be -- crowded!!!  It was not packed, but just crowded.  As the train got closer to Windsor, we were able to see the castle, but then it disappeared behind the buildings.  When we walked up the hill from the train station, Windsor Castle hit me like a two-by-four across the chest -- BREATHTAKING!!! Such majesty and awe when in her close presence!!!  Jana and I could not stop taking pictures.  Flat Stanely just happened to be with me but I forgot to take him out to take pictures.  He was still able to appreciate Windsor Castle. 

    We went to stand in line to pay to get into the castle, but one would think that with all the gold and jewels sitting in this place, one would be able to get in free.  Nope!!!  Same as always -- the rich keep taking fromn the poor.  Anywho, we were able to get a yearly pass for the price of our admission since we all had addresses in the UK.  This is good for others who come over so we can use them for others to get in free as well (or not).  Once we got inside, we opted to get one of those free "guided tour" listening earpieces.  Jana and I had a heck of a time getting it to rest on our ears, so we just took the earpiece out and listen to it like a phone.  After the introduction, Prince Edward became our tour giude.  Jana and I decided we didn't need him to show off his residence, so we bagged the tour. 

     Reading all the history about Windsor Castle and the Royal Family line was just fascinating to me.  The gardens were in full bloom with tulips, budding trees, and green, green grass.  I could definately get in trouble playing as a kid in this fortress!!!  We opted not to go inside to see Queen Mary's Doll House -- we heard people's disappointments as they exited the castle, so we decided to go and bug one of the guards to get his picture.  He didn't care -- we were just "those annoying Americans" trying to get him to look at us.  Just walking outside on the grounds was so cool and beautiful!!!  For some reason, we were all fascinated by the lamp posts and lanterns, so we took lots of pictures of them.  As we headed for the exit, we were pleasantly astonished and speechless at the sight of St. George's Chapel (which is by no means a small chapel). This is the size of a cathedral!!! 

     When I entered the chapel, my eyes began to tear at the beauty and grandeur of this place.  The intricate details on the ceiling -- painting and carvings of saints, biblical history, and former shields of past kings and queens.  Inside, there were sarcophagi of kings, queens and other English notables; along with marble placements on the floor noting the burial place for relatives of the kings and queens.  I could not take in all the history or details of this chapel since it is soooooooo massive!!!  I look forward to returning to it  WITH VISITORS, so I can see it again and again.  I did not want to leave, but all of us were starving, so we headed for the exit -- again.  Once we were near the exit, we noticed a guard standing at his post.  He was so still I think most people did not even realize he was there.  All of a sudden, he went through his march routine, walking back and forth, patrolling his area.  It was so cool to see this.  The "changing of the guard" happens in the morning, so we missed that part; but he was cool to watch.  Jana and I were joking that he must be "low man on the totum pole" to have this duty.  He looked like he could be 19 or 20 years young.  He did not even look like he started to shave yet.  This whole time touring Windsor Castke, Danielle, Jana and I laughed and joked and had such a good time.  I always have fun with them.

    We finally exited the castle grounds and headed straight for food!!! There is a little "alley" near the castle which has many little food places with outdoor seating.  We opted for an Italian place sitting in the shade -- we didn't want our wine to get too warm :-))  I cannot pronounce what I ate but it had mushrooms in an alfredo sauce.  Just as we got our food, the church bells started to chime.  It was perfoect!!!!  As we ate, the church bells continued to chime . . . and chime . . . and chime!!!  This went on for 15 minutes.  The ladies sitting next to us were laughing at our comments about the damn bells!!!  They just sat there and laughed as we commented on how someone needs to get the kids off the bell ropes.  It was probably the "neighbor's kids."  Once again, we laughed and laughed!!!  After lunch/dinner, we walked down along the Thames River park and into Windsor Town Center.  Windsor is a beautiful little town.  After touring the shoppes, we were getting tired so we headed back for the train.

     On our way back to Reading, talked about the day we just had and all the fun we had with each other.  I will definately be going back to Windsor Castle several times.  I just hope I will have company from home to come with me.  I know my description of this day would not do any justice to the magnificent and awesome day I had, but there will be pictures soon -- I PROMOSE!!!  When the day was over and I laid my head on my pillow, I just thanked God for another wonderful expereince along my journey for His Will.  I am blessed!!!  What an awesome Saturday at WIndsor Castle.