Windsor Castle and the Eye

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Geo: 51.48, -0.605995

Since we wanted to save the major London landmarks until Andrew arrived on Sunday, we decided to take a train to Windsor Castle (the real one this time). We just missed the changing of the guard there (at 11), but did get ourselves on a 1 pm tour of the kitchen. We went through the State Apartments, which were partially being prepped for Garter Day that next Monday (which meant we couldn't see St. George's Chapel). It was kinda cool, though , to see the various table settings being readied for the fancy-schmancy dinner on Monday. The kitchen tour was really interesting, and well worth the additional £5. We got to go down into parts of the castle that weren't really known in modern times, until the fire in 1992. The actual kitchen itself was cool -- lots of huge modern appliances, as well as pots and stoves that have seen much history. After a quick run thru the Dollhouse, we were ready to head back.

We headed to the London Eye, and took in a dusky view of the city. Afterward, we walked past the Royal Horse Guards parade ground, where it was quite deserted. I'm glad we got to see it this way, as it was quite a different look the next day when it was prepared for the Trooping the Colour on Saturday. And if I hadn't seen it this way, I'd never have known how dramatically it had been transformed for the beach volleyball in the summer Olympics.

A stroll over to Trafalgar Square gave Dejo the chance to climb around on the lions. We walked down the road to The Clarence for dinner (thanks to Rick Steves for introducing me to this years ago -- not sure how I manage to find it each time with no map), and a surprisingly quiet reaction to England win over Sweden in the Euro Cup.

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Photos

This way to the castle...
Just in case you weren't sure how to get there.

Gnorm visits the castle
Gnorm the Gnome was a pleasant travel companion, and this was his first introduction to Britain

Jerome, perusing the grounds
Jerome having a look 'round the castle grounds

St. George's Chapel
We couldn't go in (because they were preparing for Garter Day in a couple of days), but it's still pretty to look at

Gnorm's as much of a tourist as the next guy
Everyone's gotta get a shot of them with a guard, don't they?

London Eye
A look up at the massive observation wheel

Look kids....Big Ben!............Parliament!
A view to the buildings of Parliament from the top of the London Eye

360° look inside the capsule
A panoramic shot from inside the capsule

A really good shot of all 3 of us!
Kindof a rare occurance....

Royal Horse Guards
The deserted grounds, the night before the Trooping the Colour. And 6 weeks before the beach volleyball of the Olympics.

Nice kitty......biiiig lion......
Dejo atop one of the lions in Trafalgar Square.
Because they were there, that's why.