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.  

The Jurors 

The Kennedy Memorial 

The Themes 

FINAL STAGE OF THE TOUR OF BRITAIN!!

Day Two - London and the Tour of Britain: 

It is 9/11 and I have not forgotten and taken a moment to reflect upon those events.

Last night as I was fighting off early sleep, I received a message from some UK friends telling me of a BBC1 airing of  Last Nights at the Proms. The Proms or BBC Proms or Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC are a Summer series of classical concerts, and as you may have deduced Proms is short for promenade. I am so glad this event was televised as I doubt had I gone over to Hyde Park I would have stayed awake and probably would have fallen asleep under a spreading oak tree. It was enjoyable in many ways and yes stirring of the Spirit.  Brilliant conductor Sakari Oramo was a true joy to watch. So maybe televised was a better option. 

It is by chance we are here in London for the final stage of the Tour of Britain. This is a cycling event ending here on the streets of London.  I think we may make our way to the Start/Finish area or Trafalgar Square. 

This final stage passes sights such as Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square on every lap, the circuit should be great for spectators. As team preparation and the podiums and promotional area will be in the Trafalgar Square area, I am leaning to being there. Yes, this is where I may wish I had the 70-200 or the 100-400 lens. Must keep thinking “keep things light”. 

As breakfast is included with our room, we enjoyed a full English and I made a bacon sandwich. It was great, and will probably do the same every morning. 

We made our way to Trafalgar Square and checked out the merchandise for the Tour of Britain. We then walked to Piccadilly Circus and checkout the Start/Finish area, looked like a good place to view from. We then walked back to Trafalgar stopping at a shop for sandwiches to takeaway for later. We then stopped in and had morning drinks at a Cafe Nero.   

We then walked back to Piccadilly Circus and found a place to watch the race from. This was a circuit stage race with 16 laps of the course. A fun time as usual, and it was not as crowded as the Tour de France was when we were in London for it a couple of years back.  

After the stage was over, we made our way back to the hotel to catchup on the logs etc. Not being very hungry this plan gives us a chance to check pictures, cool off and drink some needed water. 

Our evening plan is to visit The Goat, a pup across the way and have a small plate or two for dinner.   

Love the Lions 

Sir Bradley

The Start

The Stage Winner 

The overall winner 

CAV!!!

Scott of the Arctic. 

From Denver to London and First Day

Denver to London  and More:

Cabbie Shelter 

Royal Albert Hall

Peter Pan 

The Bears remind me of The Boys

Kensington Palace

Well we are off on another journey to nowhere in particular. Well actually off to London for a bit and then train to Barcelona, followed by a sailing on the Disney Magic to NYC.  In London we will be staying at The Royal Garden, in the High Street Kensington area of London. This is a good bit upscale for us, as we would normally stay at an Ibis property, but we decided to use our Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points for this stay. We will be staying six nights before the journey continues via rail to Barcelona. Here we will simply overnight and then board the Disney Magic to sail to New York. The cruise portion was also made with our DVC points and we will be in a one bedroom suite concierge. There is a new concierge lounge on the Disney Magic, so we will see what it has to offer on this eleven night sailing. 

While in London our plan is to visit a few of the out of the way locations, such as Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Kew Gardens, and Bletchley Park. Some these side trips will be made by rail, which we rather enjoy the rail journey as we get to see the countryside. We do enjoy London and I enjoy the dining offerings of the Cabbie Shelters, and local markets, and yes the pub offerings. 

As some of you know, we enjoy visiting local markets and grocery shops, I believe it is at these locations where we get to the soul of the people by seeing this tiny window of their daily life. So this will definitely be on the agenda sometime or many times on this trip. 

I will probably be chronicling the first part of this trip on a daily basis, and then when on the cruise, reports will be sporadic due to Internet access. 

Flight over was nice, the beef was perfect, and we did arrive early. Quickly through Passport Control, bags were quickly out and we headed to the Underground Station at LHR. Checked out Oyster Cards and topped them up a bit. We made our way to Kensington High Street and then the short walk to The Royal Garden. 

Our room was not ready so we repacked a bit, stowed luggage and headed out for a walk about Kensington Gardens. The skies are overcast and a mist was falling. Walking along Kensington High Street I quickly located a Cabbie Shelter. 

There exist in London 13 cabmen's shelters - green, garden-shed like buildings often smelling of bacon and surrounded by 'black' cabs. They were provided by the Cabmen's Shelter Fund, a charity set up under the Earl of Shaftesbury and others in 1874 with the object of providing places where cabmen could obtain 'good and wholesome refreshments at moderate prices'. By this provision it hoped to keep the cabbies out of the pubs!

Between 1875 and 1914, 61 shelters were erected at a cost of about £200 each. As they were placed on the public highway, the police specified that they should not take up more space than a horse and cab.  

I have enjoyed a few Bacon Buttys from these places, to me a must while in London, and a bit of history. 

We made a circum navigation of the Kensington Gardens as the rain started to fall, passed Royal Albert Hall and The Albert Memorial, next we found the Peter Pan Statue as the Kensington area is reported to be the setting for Peter Pan. Continuing on, we find the Two Bears Fountain, a drinking fountain with a statue I rather like. As we continue we find our selves by the Princes Diana Playground and the passed the Orangery and Kensington Palace. 

We return to the hotel and our room is ready. We find the room to be well appointed with a very unremarkable view. Last time we were here we had a view overlooking High Street. No worries for us as I feel this is a larger room and we are here for six nights. 

Lynn has us unpacked and devices are being charged as we catchup on logs etc. 

We could walk across the way to the Goat but I feel we may journey to The Minories, a Pub near the Tower, yes  a favorite of mine. 

Oh, the South African Cricket Team is staying here. Kewl !!!

Yes we went to The Minories, shared the cod and chips and  a  shrimp tapas plate. All was good. Still a bit of rain falling so we decided not to walk around the Tower. So we headed back to the room and the sandman has tossed a full load of sand in my eyes. 

Oh before I forget, in this area one can find a house where  Kenneth Grahame, author of “Wind in the Willows”, once lived. There is a Blue Plaque denoting the residence. One should keep an eye out for the Blue Plaques as they can be found on various residences denoting where significant people once lived and maybe died. Easy to research before ones trip should you wish to find a favorite author or explorer, etc. 

WERE THERE DRUIDS IN NEBRASKA, WELL THERE IS CARHENGE

Day 7 Carhenge 

We started the morning with a pup walk and then made pineapple and ham pancakes for breakfast. All packed up and on the road at 0830 heading to Alliance Nebraska. 

The drive out of Custer and to Wind Cave NP was scenic and we saw buffalo, pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, and an occasional white tail deer. We did make a stop at Wind Cave so as to get our NPS Passport stamped. 

From Wind Cave to Alliance, NB the roads were good and the scenery consisted of miles and miles of open grassland. As the miles clicked by the temperatures grew higher. We soon arrived in Alliance at the J&C RV Park and got hooked up and turned on the AC.   

Were there druids in Nebraska? How did they place those cars? What is the significance of this structure? These quests beg for answers. 

Just outside of Alliance Nebraska, one can find a Road Side Attraction called Carhenge.  During a family reunion in 1987 a farmer (and engineer) Jim Reinders, built this as a memorial to his father.

Built from 38 cars found in nearby fields and dumps, the dimensions are in proportion with the original Stonehenge. Yes, the various windows are placed just as the windows are at Stonehenge, aligning with specific days of sun and moon rising.   All cars which were used to create Carhenge are Detroit made. Originally there were three foreign cars used as part of the structure but they were subsequently removed and replaced with Detroit made cars. The three foreign cars were ceremonially buried on the property. 

A couple years later the Reinders family spray-painted the cars a flat gray to make the monument look more like  Stonehenge.  Yet, there was trouble at first for Carhenge. The residents of Alliance did not like it and wanted to tear down Carhenge. Then the Nebraska Department of Highways wanted to label it a "junkyard" and erect a big fence around it. But as attractions bring visitors the air became more friendly towards Carhenge, and now Alliance proudly calls itself "Home of Carhenge."  In August 2013 the City of Alliance voted to become Carhenge's owner, officially giving its blessing to the monument and guaranteeing its preservation for many years to come.

Carhenge is a remote wonder, far from the nearest interstate (80 miles). It's a place that you really have to dedicate time to visit. For me, I appreciated the ingenuity and quirkiness of this Roadside Attraction. There is no fee and it is dog friendly. There is a small gift shop where one can purchase souvenirs and snacks. Although there is no fee, you will be moved to make a donation. The hours of operation are daylight hours. 

After our visit to Carhenge, we went to Wiggly Park, the local dog park, to let The Boys run and play. Then back to the camper where they crashed and did not start begging for their dinner.