Windsor...

Last term, the Roots Travel company led us on a successful trip to Stonehenge and Bath. With our trip back to the States looming ever closer (yay!), Matthew and I knew we needed to take advantage of any time that he could spare from his studies and go on another day trip with Roots. So, we left Cambridge at 7:45 on Sunday morning to visit Windsor and Oxford. Our tour guide was the one and only Matt (same guy as the first trip), and we were accompanied by three Brazilians. Perfeito. I think they must have thought that all English-speaking males were named Matt based on their sample.

Proof that we were up and ready to go. I really love that time of day. Too bad that time of day is morning. Otherwise, I would enjoy it  more often. It was much lighter outside at 7:45am on this trip than it was on the last one. The sun comes up early and stays out late these days. Thank goodness for no more sunsets at 4:00pm!

These little patches of flowers (pretty weeds?) are popping up everywhere around Cambridge. Spring is in the air!

First stop in Windsor, overlooking the Thames river. On the other side of the city, across a small footbridge, is the town of Eton. 

The aforementioned footbridge in the distance. And in the foreground is an exceptionally large gathering of the Queen's swans. (There is a shop that sells food for them nearby.) Like the fowl and critters near Buckingham Palace, these birds are protected by law. Why? Well, back in the day, they were dinner! And the Royals couldn't have the common folk stealing their supper. These swans even have little bracelets around their ankles, designating them as royal property.

Aww, real life love birds. The other ones were not getting along so nicely. Very territorial animals apparently.

I just love signs that point to a castle. It's like a fairy tale book.

Unfortunately, this is as close as I got to Kate. I asked tour guide Matt when Will and Catherine would be visiting Cambridge, since they are the Duke and Duchess of our fine shire. He said it was unusual that they had not made an appearance yet. I'm sure they will stop by while Matt and I are in Texas. I would be devastated. Utterly.

A crooked house. It's structurally sound but a wee bit wonky.

This door is the city registrar's office. Prince Charles and Camilla came here to get married and sign the certificate. Afterward, they went to a chapel for a blessing ceremony. The public didn't think it would be right for them to have a big lavish wedding in a famous fancy church. I guess there is a conspiracy theory floating around that claims Charles planned Diana's car crash because he had wanted to marry Camilla from the start. (Don't believe it.) There is another hypothesis that claims Harry is not Charles' biological son. Diana had an affair in the '80s with a man who Harry greatly resembles. Of course, we will never know for sure. But that would explain why he is a handsome ginger and not a balding blonde. (Might believe that one.)

The registry office is under the right arch. This was one of Sir Christopher Wren's earliest designs. Much to the dismay of the people of the day, he built it without including columns in the middle of the open space under the first floor. They thought it was going to collapse without those pillars. So, he gave in and added them later. However, if you look closely, they aren't actually touching the ceiling or supporting anything. They are clearly decorative and not functional.

Tour guide Matt! He was explaining to us that the blue mail drop on the right is one of the only ones that has survived to this day. The red ones (which are everywhere!) were put in place at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. Hence, they have the seal of the crown with the initials E. II R. on them. E. II. R. stands for Elizabeth the Second, Regina (Queen). The blue one was left over from her father's reign and has his initials G. R. on it. He was George Rex (King). There should have been a "VI" in between the "G" and the "R" since he was George the Sixth, but the Roman numerals were missing. The blue one is sealed shut and can no longer be used. Until recently, the red one in this location was also sealed off. This corner of Windsor is a popular spot for watching the changing of the guard, thus it would be all too easy for a bomb to be shoved in the mail slot and timed to go off at the right moment. We were informed that this is also the reason why rubbish bins are so hard to find in London. They have been removed due to the threat of terrorism. And not Al Queda terrorism, but Irish terrorism from the IRA.

This is the long lawn leading up to the Sovereign's gate at the castle. At the far end, way off in the haze, is a hill. Supposedly, atop Snow Hill, Henry VIII waited for the canon fire that signaled the execution of his second wife, Anne Boleyn.

Tour guide Matt started getting excited when he saw this chap chatting with the gate guard. Twice before, Matt has seen the Queen emerge and drive down this road. Once, she was driving her own Land Rover! My heart began skipping beats as he told of his previous encounters with Her Majesty. Although her flag was flying atop the castle, indicating that she was indeed in the building, we did not get a glimpse of her. Or her Land Rover. Bummer.

Wonder who gets a copy of that key?

Ta dah! Some lucky heads of state and other special guests get invited to a "Dine & Sleep" at the castle. Eating formal dinner, viewing treasures from the vast royal collection, getting tucked in by the Queen, and enjoying breakfast the next morning? Yes please.

The Harte and Garter Hotel hosted ol' Billy Shakespeare way back when. Legend has it that he stayed on the top floor and was able to see over the castle walls and into the private lives of the social elite. Shortly after, he wrote The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Finally, time to go inside the castle. This was a picture on the wall of the ticket entrance, just to give you an idea of the scope of the place. It's the largest occupied castle in the world! (Not PALACE, but CASTLE.) Situated on a bluff only a few miles from London, it is a prime location for a royal residence/fortress.

When we went inside, I thought this was funny. Spiffy little sports car parked next to a mini-van.

Woohoo! We're in.

Hubby was quite the sport as far as picture taking was concerned. He listened to the audio guide while I was snapping away, and he filled me in on the good stuff. What a dude.

Lovely landscaping! Not this particular tower, but a very similar one, is known as the "curfew tower." Back during the rule of the Normans when the city of Windsor was made mostly of wood, a herald would announce to the city that it was time to put out their fireplaces. It was simply too dangerous to allow the citizens to sleep while their fires were burning. So, perched on the corner tower, the herald would yell, "Covrefeu!" In French (the Normans were French), this means, "Cover the fire!" Thus, the English word "curfew" was adapted from these origins. Presumably. But, I'll buy it.

These enviable plumed hats, distinguished sashes, and well-dressed female counterparts are all a part of the grandeur of the Knights of the Garter. With only 26 allowed at one time, each one is appointed by the Sovereign and serves for life. It's an exclusive club, to say the least. Every Sunday, the Knights attend church at St. George's Chapel (within the castle walls) as representatives of the Queen. Then, they go across the courtyard and have brunch together. Adorable. In a military, super rich, old man way.

Closest I've ever been to four intimidating guns. Or to four tall bear skin hats, for that matter.

One of the views overlooking Eton. Eton College, a prestigious and expensive school for select upper class boys, was founded by King Henry VI. Ironically, it was originally a charitable school for underprivileged children. The Chapel (which dominates the right hand side of the photo) is incredibly similar to the King's College Chapel in Cambridge. Same king = same architectural style. There is an undeniable link between Windsor, Eton, Cambridge, and Oxford. The four are upper-upper class breeding grounds for achievement in politics, education, society, etc.

To my deep disappointment, photography was not permitted in the State Apartments and other interiors of the castle. Think White House meets Versailles meets Buckingham Palace, and you've got the general idea. However, I did break the rules once and capture this secret image of Queen Mary's doll house. It's not really a home for toys, but more of an exquisite miniature work of art presented to the Queen as a showcase of British craftsmanship. This thing was huge. Like, filled an entire room huge. The silver place settings are crafted of solid silver. It has running water and active electrical switches. There's even a treasury with the crown jewels locked up safe and sound (middle room, left). Craziness.

Back outside and past a quintessential castle door.

St. George's Chapel is the only Anglican church outside the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Queen trumps all. And see what I mean about hubby being so cooperative about getting his picture taken? He kept saying, "This is your day. Whatever makes you happy." What a sweetheart. I just know one day we will end up like the couple in the next picture...

How darling are they? We stood across the street and watched their saga unfold. The wife was very particular about what she wanted in the background. The husband took about ten pictures on his antiquated, semi-disposable camera. I could tell they were getting ready to switch places so he could get his picture, so I walked up to them out of the clear blue and asked if they would like me to take their picture together. "Where were you ten minutes ago?" the witty old man quipped. Haha! They said thanks and they would love for me to take their picture, but they were out of film. I didn't know what to say. I don't know which was more dumbfounding - the man's quick humor or the fact that you can still get a roll of film developed.

Welp, that is the short version (believe it or not) of our trip to Windsor. Tour guide Matt picked us up again in the minibus, and we set off for Oxford, eating our packed lunches en route. (I got smart and thought ahead enough to bring food so we didn't waste sight-seeing time looking for something to satisfy our stomachs.) My overall impression with Windsor was favorable. I wouldn't mind living there. Of course, who would? Close to London. Close to royalty. Wealth galore. The only down side is that Heathrow is also closeby.

A plane flies overhead every minute and a half or so. What a racket! And it's sad, but every time I saw one that appeared too close to the castle, I flashed back to 9-11. Those images are forever burned in my mind's eye.

Anyway, next we explore Oxford! Ta ta for now.