Getting up early to catch the train, we looked outside to see that unlike yesterday, today had dawned with clear blue skies. A definite win! After getting ready, we took the short walk to Earls Court station to catch the District Line train to Paddington Station where we were to catch a GWR train out to Windsor. With memories of peak hour delays fresh from our last trip we had given ourselves plenty of time, so we took the opportunity to stop for a coffee.
Boarding the GWR train, Megan found us some seats and began to explain to Amelia how she was able to determine that the seats were free. Anthony couldn’t avoid a little laugh when, in mid-sentence, Megan realised that she had made mistake and that we were sitting in reserved seats. This is the sort of error that Anthony would normally make. It all worked out though and although we were not seated together we got underway for the fast train to Slough where we changed for an even shorter trip to Windsor.
Arriving to the station, we wandered past the station shops, stopping for a quick photo before exiting for our first views of Windsor Castle.
With some time to pass before meeting with Megan’s friend, we took a stroll through parts of Windsor. Looking through the Edinburgh Woollen Mills shop we pretended to search for the Tartan our long-lost clan. Finding nothing, we continued our exploration checking out the building, coming across a new friend for Hamish and even some wall art.
Heading out for a wander, we found ourselves at “The Long Walk” and the formal entrance to the castle. Any Royal fans out there would immediately recognise these photos from the Harry and Meghan wedding.
Funnily enough, we got so busy chatting that we all forgot to take photos.
In no time at all it was time for Kellie to head off and for us to do a tour of Windsor Castle. We only have outside photos as no photography was allowed inside.
We joined a guided-tour which was a great way to learn about the history of the castle and also the efforts to restore the castle after the disastrous fire of 1992. For Anthony’s firefighting colleagues, it was interesting to learn how the firefighters used one of the towers to vent the fire, helping to steer it away from doing further damage.
The restoration is incredible and as the guide said it was difficult to tell where the original ended and the restoration began. In one room, the restoration of a giant parquet floor reused the original timber by turning over every single piece so that the charred side was now face down.
The opulence and extravagance of the castle rivalled Versailles and once again brought mixed feelings about the waste or resources but also the patronage of incredible artisans and craftsmanship.
By the time we exited the State Apartments the sun was already low in the sky. We headed for St.Georges Chapel, where Amelia in particular continued her revelry in all things historical.
As we stood for one last photo of St. George’s Chapel in the setting sun, we heard the unmistakable voice of the guard marching to the Lower Ward for a change. Amelia questioned aloud, “Do they guard all night?” Without missing a beat Hamish matter-of-factly replied “Yeah Amelia, they have shifts just like at Woolies”. Not sure whether this elevated Woolies staff or brought the guards down a peg, we all had a laugh as we headed for the train station.
