Soggy Moose Travels : WINDSOR CASTLE DAY

DAY 3 WINDSOR CASTLE:

Last evening we had a great meal at The Goat, a pub located across the street from our hotel. We opted for a favorites plate to share, this included a burger slider, battered fish, chip, mushy peas and a meat pie for each of us. All was very good and the perfect amount of food to share.

Off to Windsor Castle and more:

After breakfast we made our way via the Underground to the Waterloo Station. From the Waterloo Station we took the fast train to the Woking Station, where we met Albert and Ann our Disney Cruise Line Friends. They were kind enough to spend the day with us and driving us around the countryside.

The train journey takes one past a few interesting locations and I must thank Albert for giving the following information which made the trip interesting. Train views – left side facing forward:

Pulling out of Waterloo after Vauxhall – New Covent Garden fruit & veg market from 1960’s.

After Surbiton, before arriving Esher, Sandown Race Course – horse racing track.

After Weybridge, Brooklands Museum, Old motor racing embankment and Mercedes World. Brooklands is well worth the visit if one is interested in British motor racing and aviation history. They are in the process of adding new exhibits all the time.

After West Byfleet Station, as you slow down to arrive at Woking, The Shah Jahan Mosque, Britain’s first purpose-built mosque, established 1889.

We had a pleasant drive to Windsor Castle enjoying the scenery and small towns. Along the way we passed the Ascot Race Course. Soon we arrived at Windsor Castle.

The Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. The towers and battlements of the Castle loom large from every approach to the town, creating one of the most spectacular skylines. When visiting I was amazed at the quality of the preservation, all the while realizing it is still a residence, for the Royal Family as well and several hundred residents who preserve and maintain the Castle.

I was in awe visiting the State Apartments and St. Georges Chapel. Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I.

The Gothic architecture is particularly impressive, particularly the roof.

Perhaps most fascinating is the Order of the Garter, an English order of chivalry with a history stretching back to medieval times. Membership of the Order is extremely limited and includes the monarch of the United Kingdom, the Prince of Wales and not more than twenty-five companion members.

Members are each assigned a stall in the chapel choir above which his or her heraldic devices are displayed. To stand in so many places where so much history was made is for me quite humbling.

I caught myself stopping at times to pause and reflect on the history of Windsor Castle and the many events and the daily life of day gone by.

After visiting Windsor Castle we stopped for a bit of refreshment at the King and Castle Pub.

We the drove to the Windsor Farm Shop. This was a fun stop where local produce, meats and cheese , wine , and many other products are made available for sale. Lynn was able to fins some candied ginger and ginger preserves. The produce and flowers looked great.

We next made our way to Runnymede. Here, the water-meadow at Runnymede is the most likely location at which, in 1215, King John sealed the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta affected common and constitutional law as well as political representation also affecting the development of parliament.

Runnymede's association with ideals of democracy, limitation of power, equality and freedom under law has attracted placement there of monuments and commemorative symbols.

The National Trust land was donated in 1929 by Cara Rogers Broughton and her two sons. She was the American-born widow of Urban Hanlon Broughton. The gift was given in memory of Urban Broughton. At the time the Massachusetts New Bedford Herald commented "It must be a source of gratification to all Americans, and especially to us here and in Fairhaven, that the presentation of this historic spot as public ground has been brought about by an American woman, an appropriate enough circumstance considering that the great charter underlies the USA's conception of government and human rights.”

In addition to the historic significance the meadow and the banks of River Thames make for an excellent stroll. It was hard for me to imagine these waters would eventually flow into industrial London and beyond. The oak and willow trees and and areas of lush grass would make for a lovely spot for a picnic.

From here, we made a quick stop and Albert and Ann’s residence to meet their pup, two rather energetic Cairn Terriers. Rather spry for their age and we very much enjoyed giving them attention in exchange for the attention they gave to us.

As it was close to dinner time we went to a local pub named the Bird in Hand. As Albert explained the ownership is relative new to this location they are doing pub classics with minor twists. Lynn and I shared the fish and chips where the twist was the greens with pomegranate and a drizzle of molasses. Very very good, and for desert I enjoyed a sponge with orange honey and vanilla ice cream. All was excellent.

From the Bird in Hand our day drew to a close and we were dropped at the train station for the return trip to London.

It was a fun day in so many ways, and we are tired and ready fro some sleep.

Tomorrow Stonehenge and Salisbury.