World Cities Tour 2014 Summer Edition - Day 3

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Day 3 - Exploring Windsor



We did't make it through the night. We were all up for about 3 hours around 2 AM and then slept in until 9:30. After breakfast at the Chocolate Cafe we headed to Windsor Castle to watch the changing of the guard. A group of the Guard march through Windsor from their barracks to the castle where there is a guard changing ceremony. We watched from the street and then got tickets to tour the castle and grounds. The castle is huge and only a few parts are accessible on the tour. It still took us 3 hours to see everything we wanted to see. Two of the highlights are Queen Mary's dollhouse and the special papers collection. The dollhouse was designed as a showcase of the Queen's collection of miniatures and has running water, electricity and working elevators. The exhibit of special papers from the archives includes documents and diaries written by various Monarchs when they were children as well as documents bearing signatures of other heads of state and important people. The deed to Buckingham Palace is also on display. It was pretty awe inspiring to think that the ink, paper, and wax on it are over 250 years old. After the tour we stopped for lunch/dinner at The Ye Olde Kings Head, a pub located just outside of Windsor Castle and the sight of the signing of the death warrant for Charles I. Michelle really enjoyed the Murder holes just outside of the most interior castle gate. Tony most enjoyed the North Terrace and the fantastic view off of the 30 meter bluff. By that point our interrupted sleep caught up with us and we retreated to the hotel for a nap. Later that evening Aby, a friend of Tony's who lives in Windsor, joined us in the parlor downstairs for a very long game of Settler's of Catan. Tomorrow we plan to have lunch with some friends from the Slough Amazon office and then take the train into London for some sight seeing.

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Photos

Room With a View
It's quite peaceful, except when the Royal Ascot crowd is in, the World Cup crows is in or the graduation revelers are in.

All shagged out after a long squack
The little one is handling her Jet Lag quietly (mostly)

Beer and Horses?
Could be fun.

Windsor Selfie
One should swallow prior to selfie taking.

What... it's over?
They came, We saw, They left... it was worth it.. mostly.

Better View
Ok, the Queen has herself a much better view than our hotel room.

The Round Tower
Pretty original name, if you ask me.

Green Arrows?
I have heard of a green thumb, but this is ridiculous.

Defensive Holes
I hear they can be Murder. Oil, Hot water, and boiled sewage, among other things, are prepped to be dropped through the murder hole if the castle were ever under attack. Luckily, they were never used.

Lonely Soldier
All alone, against the far wall of the large inner courtyard... it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

Lonely Soldier 2
Also against a wall, but he at least has a view off the North Terrace. These guys have it rough.

NOT Lonely Soldier
Ok, those other guys have it easy. Best we can figure, this guy's job is to take abuse from tourists all day long.

Dedicated Teacher
Taking time out to send post-cards to her students from within Windsor Castle (they have post boxes). How cool of a teacher is that!!

Superior Dairy Ice Cream
Chris, do you suppose this is the same company local to Hanford, CA, USA?

We're Walking
Nothing to see here, move on.... oh, except that awesome church inside the walls of Windsor Castle, or the Knight's quarters we are staring at behind the camera.

Lovely Ladies
Come along and join us.

Hamster Fine Dining
The food was quite good (none of it made from hamster).

Historical Facts
If you believe painted text on the front of a restaurant. When quizzed, the waiter did not know why Charles I was executed.

Game Night
While technically on Day 4, this pic was snapped sometime after Midnight when we finished our epic game of Settlers (Seafarers). Yes, you can fit the original, the seafarers expansion and the 6 player expansions of both in the original box.. you just need to be organized... sandwich bags work.