Windsor Castle 5-20-2009

We took a bus from Heathrow Airport to Windsor Castle. It was about an hour ride through small towns and countryside, although it is only 20 miles from London. We crossed The Thames here. Getting around on buses is easy and cheap.

This Class C sat in the very small yard of a house we passed on our way to Windsor. We have seen several travel trailers, too.

Here is the first open space we have seen since leaving the USA.

Modern apartments with small balconies on the edge of Windsor.

Windsor Castle is the favorite home of the present queen. It is a working castle, used for many national and diplomatic functions.

The town of Windsor grew up around the castle with the purpose of servicing it.

This is a view of Windsor from the castle.

The first stop on the guided portion of the tour of Windsor is the site of the Queen's stables on the left and the former home of one of King Charles III's mistresses.

William Conqueror built the first Windsor Castle out of wood atop this hill or motte about 1070 and then constructed the bailey or wall around it. Wrapping around the age of this castle was a bit too much for me. Note the slots halfway down the wall. Arrows were fired through these by bowmen defending the castle.

I just loved these crowns on top of all of the outside light fixtures. Who thinks this stuff up?

Our guide, Jeffrey is pointing out the cut-out in the bailey used by archers mentioned above. Note how much wider they are on the defenders' side if the wall. He told us that this is where the term "elbow room" came from; room for your elbow so you could pull your bow back. I didn't know that.

St. George's Chapel is an example of Perpendicular Architecture and the resting place of the present queen's parents and sister, Margaret.

The moat around the original Windsor Castle is now a beautiful garden. There was not one weed to be seen.

This is the entrance into the heart of the present-day castle. The vehicles demonstrate that this is indeed a working place. The three holes above the entrance are called "murder holes". In ancient times, defenders poured molten lead or other hot liquids down them onto the heads of invaders.

The private living quarters of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip are through these doors. I heard a worker tell two others in an excited voice that Prince Phillip was on his way, but we didn't see him.

This shot shows the round castle built on the site of the original one with St. George's on the left and housing for staff on the right.

Eton College can be seen from the north side of Windsor. It produced several Prime Ministers and was attended by Princes William and Harry.

Before returning to our hotel we ate dinner at this tiny pub across the street from the castle. Note the candles on the mantle. They and others on the window sills show lots of use. There was little else that could serve as a light source at night. Can you imagine such a thing in the USA?

Realtors have listings displayed in store windows like at home. Places like this seemed to be going for about $300,000 in Windsor. Everything is a bit more expensive here. Petrol is about $5.50 a gallon.