Windsor Castle

Steve and I went to Windsor Castle a couple of weeks ago. This was the best castle in England that I have been to by far.

We took a train from Paddington station, switched once, and then we were in Windsor. We got on the express train so we were there in about 20 minutes. There is a nice little shopping center right at the station as you get in to take a look around.

Being outside of London was a great change. There were fields of grass and beautiful turning leaves. The weather was sunny but crisp! When people say crisp, they mean something that it cuts through like a knife so this cold was like a knife cutting through your clothes. It decieving! So sunny yet you feel like you are going to shatter. Its a great change from California and makes you feel alive! Breath in! Breath out. Ahh...

We saw the world's coolest doll house that was given to the Queen when she was little. 3 stories with the front that slides up to expose the inside. Paintings, draperies, china, silver made by famous makers of the time. A garage, a garden, everything a castle needs.

As we walked throught the castle, we realized that we are getting accostomed to seeing typical things in these castles. There is always a grand entryway and staircase that leads into the state rooms where people mingle for parties. Then there are the drawing rooms where the royalty and friends gather to "withdraw" after dinner to talk, play cards, read, gossip. There are more intimate rooms closer to the bedrooms where only really close people get to go with the king or queen and the bedrooms.

This castle was the best kept castle next to Buckingham Palace so if you are visiting in the off season and can't get into Buckinham Palace, just take the train to Windsor and you won't be missing a thing. I bet it is less crowded also. We were too late to see the church, but I hear it is worth seeing.

Steve and I ate at a darling little Italian restaurant in the charming town outside of Windsor. Searched for warm drinks as we waited for the train because it was truely freezing by then. A great day trip! Check out the new photos we put up .

The Best Day Ever

Part 1: Steve works from home :-) for the morning. I love getting to see him more. We have breakfast together, I learn a little about our picture program (pictures will be up soon!), Aperature. Then I travel with him to work and hop on the tube from there to Leister (Lester) Square.

Part 2: Everyone is always talking about how you can get great priced seats to the day of shows from here, so I see what I can see. I ask the man what is playing at the matinee times and if any are good prices. He suggests Le Miserables, best seats in the house for half off! 25 instead of 50 pounds! I take them, and then I lunch in front of the National Portrait Gallery.

Part 2.5: Le Mis is all that it's cracked up to be. Beware: it is ALL singing so if you are not a fan of musicals, maybe this isn't the best one for you. But, it was awesome and made me want to rebel. What hard lives those folk had to live. Less deep commentary: I suggest never getting rows 1 or 2 at a performance because you miss the whole stage. I was row 3 (row 3!) and I could see almost everything. In the first rows, the actors look at you. Yipee!!

Part 3: I go shopping. I went to a store to find a different colour dress from the one I just got and try it on. I ended up with this personal shopper who used me as her dress up doll. I love this store for it's fantastic use of fun fabric and it's quality stitching and lining, and then she finds all sorts of cute combinations. It was a blast. Steve says to get what I want. I go only a little crazy (a tiny bit).

Part 4: Steve orders pizza and beer for dinner and has some friends visiting London over for dinner. Great conversation and another reason to miss California. No TV. I tried on my new clothes for Steve. He liked them. Off to bed. And now I am finding time to blog since I am caffinated from an occasional cola at dinner.

Being London is wonderful at times. For all of it's gloom, it makes up for in boom!

I'm fine, already. sheesh.

One thing that I still haven't gotten used to here is the phrase "You all right?" when used as a greeting.

It's used in the peculiar (to me) way that I expect the subject to be bleeding or something. Like, "Oh my gosh, are you all right?" Whenever someone asks me this, I'm inclined to respond "I'm fine, why?" but then I catch myself.

So, here it means "How's it going?" not "Can I get you medical assistance?"

Good to know.