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Published: July 27th 2017
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Windsor
The Castle entrance The English summer is true to form. There’ll be some rain, cloud and sunshine today. At the moment there is light drizzle. After we get our chores done we prepare for our trip to Windsor. We have not visited Windsor before but have seen the castle tower from afar. We will call today’s trip an exploratory trip, we won’t be visiting the castle.
We offer to drive our hosts on this outing. We leave Jane behind and use local knowledge to get through the highways and by-ways without going on the dreaded M25. We are equipped with jackets, raincoats, umbrellas, sun hats, and cameras. It is a picturesque approach to the town. Tree lined streets, nice houses, and the River Thames meandering by. We follow a sign to a convenient carpark close to the centre of the town.
Towering above us are the walls of the castle, a most impressive sight. Outside the walls the street is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. This is a tourist town. We can purchase a wide range of royalty memorabilia but we have already filled our suitcase so we give the shops a miss. You can have too many cups, plates, mugs,
Windsor
Looking from the bridge over the Thames fridge magnets all featuring the face of your favourite royal.
We have lunch in the refurbished railway station. The old buildings and glass roof would have been part of quite a busy station in its heyday. Today you catch a train to Slough. The main station is on the other side of town. A replica of the engine used for the royal train stands at its own special platform while today tourists scurry from eating establishments to gift shops to named fashion stores. Tour parties are guided through the town on their way to the castle.
We walk down the shortest street in Britain, Queen Charlotte Street 51 feet 10 inches long, and marvel at the building that looks as if it will only need a gentle push and it will fall over. A walk up the hill to admire the castle from outside the walls gives us the feeling we need to come back. The sun is shining and we get that wonderful happy feeling. This is a grand place to be. We chat briefly with a local uniformed tourist lady equipped with her large rolled up umbrella. “You look prepared”, we say. “Not this morning, I
Windsor
The old railway station wasn’t”, was the reply. She was a happy lady and willing to give friendly advice. A credit to the town.
Eton is just down the road. We have time for a quick walk before the parking wardens become active. What magnificent buildings. All are closed to the public but they must be well worth a look if you get the chance. The Union Jack flies from nearly every building. A pharmacy has the Royal Seal. Window boxes are in full bloom. Might get some ideas for home.
In an attempt to avoid the busy motorways we detour past Runnymede, the site where the Magna Carta was signed many years ago during the reign of King John. Today it is just a peaceful field. Cattle graze next door and on a small hill the British Government gifted an acre of land to the USA for a John F Kennedy Memorial. We didn’t need our passports but just wondered if a fugitive could be granted asylum on this small piece of America. Overhead, aircraft are taking off from Heathrow, a plane every ninety seconds. After take off they fan out in every direction.
The day has turned out quite
Windsor
Replica of engine that pulled the Royal Train warm. Like the lady at Windsor, we don’t need our umbrellas. The drive back to our accommodation is not too bad considering it is late afternoon and people are trying to get home from work. Back at the house it is nibble time before dinner.
Tomorrow we head away to the Midlands for a few days before returning to London.
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