London Day 7 Windsor Castle

London Day 7 Windsor Castle

Well today I had another plan, but it didn't quite work out the way I envisaged, but it turned out to be a really nice day. Along with the weather... it was 20 degrees here today and blue skies!

AS usual the Net didn't connect this morning - I'm getting used to that now. So I got up and did all my jobs, then took off for Paddington Station, on my way to Windsor Castle. I knew they would have free wifi at a coffee shop there, and sure enough they did! So I spent about 45 mins there just catching up with my emails etc... Nice to make contact again... just shows how much I rely on the net... especially overseas...

Today was the  last day of my London Pass so there were 2 things I wanted to do today which had free access via my London Pass - Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey. I've had a few goes at the Abbey, but alas and alack it was not meant to be, yet again. But let's get to that later.

So my trusty guide book told me to go to Paddington and take a train to Slough (rhymes with now) and then change trains to Windsor. All went perfectly today... here's a few pics of the trains for my train freak family..

First train at Slough station

Slouugh Station

Windsor Station

So arrived very comfortably at Windsor Station, which is also aligned with Eton College. Unfortunately didn't get there today.

So,  as you come out of the Station, the Castle is right there in front of you...

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle

My London Pass allowed me to bypass the queues and I got in quite easily.

I absolutely loved my day there... I have quite a few pics of the outside but unfortunately  we weren't allowed to take any pics inside which is where  all the action was...

Here's  a few of the outside..

Outisde wall

Views of towers

Moat that was never filled with  water

View from the top

View from the inside

Once again I had the audio tour and I loved hearing about all the workings of the castle. Apparently the Queen goes there most weekends when she can, so it is considered one of her homes. We heard all about the fire which demolished great  parts of the castle in 1992 and were consequently rebuilt.

It also showed the parts where the Queen holds her big banquets and entertains heads of States etc....  Wonder if Tony  has been over to one of these.... ???

The other thing I really wanted to see (and that was one reason I waited until today) was the St George Chapel where Henry VIII was buried. The Chapel was beautiful... wish I could share some pics....  It was just oozing with history with the tombs of various kings and queens. Latest ones in my living memory were George VI and Elizabeth (Queen Mum) and Margaret's ashes all in the same area.

They had all these big marble structures for various Kings and Queens and dignitaries so was looking for something grand for Henry VIII - but it was just a marble slab on the floor that said Henry was buried there, as was Jane Seymour. Apparently in his will he said he would like something elaborate, but his kids never quite around to it!!!


Sad but true... no photos allowed... :(

Here's  the outside of St George's Chapel though...

St George's Chapel at Windsor

St George's Chapel at Windsor

So  that was my lovely time at  Windsor Castle.

Next thing - time for lunch... Had a lovely Pastie and cup of coffee at the Crooked House

So, the plan was to catch the train to Westminster and go to Westminster Abbey.... there must be something about that place, because I've been thwarted each time!  I probably should have checked things like closing times etc... but it closed at 3.30pm and I was only leaving Windsor at 2.40pm so was cutting it fine. And somehow I caught the slow trains and then when I arrived at Paddington, instead of going to the underground, I saw District Line so went there, and it seems I was on the Ealing Line.

Anyway - stuffed up again and missed the deadline for the Abbey. If I really want to go I'll actually have to pay money now... as my London Pass has expired... I'll see what happens in the next few days!

So, what to do now... I had a few hours left on that London Pass.... Looked at my options and decided to go on the River Thames Cruise.... Knowing me and water, that was quite a brave option, but it was lovely!

It was just on sunset and sun was slowly setting beside Big Ben...
Took some pics along the journey....

Sunset over Big Ben

London Eye

London Eye from underneath

St Paul's Cathedral

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge and me!

The Shard!

It was just a lovely relaxing way to end the day. I would've gone to Greenwich but that was the last cruise for the day and it ended at Tower Hill

On the way out they had a ceremony for the poppies at  Tower Hill and they were reading out the names of all those who had died..

So, that was my day.... very pleasant and interesting...

Now that my London Pass is finished, I can just  relax a bit and do the things I want to do.

Tomorrow I'm meeting a relative, Audrey. Our grandmothers were sisters and we've never met, so it will be good to share family stories.

Once again having a few Internet issues... hope it all holds out a bit longer!