Windsor

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We have made the hop across the pond. It is just before five pm on Wednesday as I type the initial portion of this entry (10 your time) perhaps three and a half stones throw from Windsor Castle (Okay Hank Aaron is doing the stone chunking, but we are pretty close). Trip over last night was the most pleasant we have ever made. I even slept a good deal, not so Bird who is now snoring. Our seats on Virgin Atlantic were fabulous; after dinner we took cheese and Port in their lounge. Upon landing we utilized Virgin's arrival lounge for our second breakfast and then availed ourselves of their showers. Set at least me up to go for the entire day. As a bit of an aside, we are aware that some of you, possibly even the majority, have concluded our children are insufficiently invested in their wonderful parents. Well, as evidence of how incorrect this conclusion remains, our super kids offered to fund Virgin flights for the remainder of our lives.

Isn't fantasy enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoy movies such as Golden Compass. But now back to reality. Beginning our time in Windsor was not nearly as awesome as the flight. After checking in we exited our room and promptly proceeded 180 degrees away from our destination of the Castle for a mile or so. But, with the kind assistance of an Englishman we did eventually locate the joint. We spent a bit of time that afternoon around the castle-it is past huge. The next day was devoted to a two hour river cruise on the Thames (what a bust Bird correctly observed). We were only able to salvage a picture of the Castle from the river. The last day at Windsor we observed the guards change and visited the castle (pictures inside disallowed-annoying practice a few places levy against visitors). This is the Queen's favorite palace-easy to understand. Considerably more grand than Buckingham, which looked like a rich person's dump to this pauper's eyes. Her Platinum Jubilee is this weekend, which has produced folks and flags everywhere. We were informed the world's largest picnic will occur Saturday for her on The Long Walk. One final comment is there is little to see in this town save the Castle, which is of course impressive. But should you visit Windsor a full day will suffice. Off to Bath in the morning with a stop or two along the way. Chat with you later. Hope all are well and bushy tailed.

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Photos

Bird in the Lounge
Bird is patiently awaiting for Port wine to be added to her selection of cheese

English Buddies
Bird and I had been sampling the cheese and Port for perhaps 15 minutes when a couple of ladies returning home inquired if they could join us. Duh, of course and what a very pleasant pair they were. The two are intently pondering an inquiry by Bird or I.

Beginning of Long Walk
View of Windsor Castle from beginning of The Long Walk. Total distance is 2.4 miles-nope we didn't walk the entire trail. Just behind where I am standing is where the world's biggest picnic will occur this weekend.

RAF Fly Over
We saw on the BBC that over 40 jets were involved in honoring the Queen's Platinum Jubilee at Windsor with another 70 in London. We saw perhaps 25. This is my favorite.

More RAF Jets
Bird's favorite.

Windsor Castle from the Thames
Only item we salvaged from a two hour cruise.

Changing of the Guard
Here we have the relief of the Queen's Guard coming to work being escorted by the band. The statue to the left is Queen Victoria scowling at visitors to her castle. She was completed in June 1893 and suffered a slight bit of damage during WWII.

Actual Guard
These are the folks who actually stand guard. For all the world they look like a statue-absolutely motionless except an occasional march back and forth. Visitors frequently stand next to the "statues" for pictures.

Reliefees (sp) Departing
Folks who have been standing guard are returning to their barracks, again with the band in front.

Guard Departing
These are the folks who are being relieved. The United Kingdom being an empire there are many nationalities represented. These soldiers appear from Southeast Asia.

Windsor Keep
We are inside the Castle. The circular building to the left is the Keep where defenders fled should an enemy gain entrance to a castle. William the Conqueror built a keep in the same location as the one now existent.

Upper Quadrangle
An area where no folks were allow to enter so a picture seemed nice.

Bonus Picture #!
Doozer (AKA Brad) was kind enough to stop by the Delta Flight Museum before our flight. This is Delta's first passenger aircraft from 1931, which possessed accommodations for two passengers shepherded along by two pilots.

Future Pilots Monsters 3 and 4 (Bonus Pix #2)
Testing their flying skills are Doozer's two Monsters.