Windsor & LEGO II

Woke up to a late start this morning after a late supper at The Jekyll & Hyde. Three of us didn't feel like taking a long train with connections in London, so we traded one Hampton Court for a Windsor Castle + LEGOland (again). Megan, by the way, seems tireless and up for anything.



We got to Windsor just in time for the changing of the guard. The red coats were marching in and playing their instruments. After they passed into the castle walls, we went to the efficiently run ticket counter, passed our bags through x-ray and our bodies through metal detector, and got our ever-trusty audio guides. Windsor's guides were cool because there's a kid's version and an adult version. We could still hear the band, so we followed the path inside the wall and got to watch for a further 15 minutes as they played "Glad Time Rag" and "Reaching for the Stars" while the gold-clad guards with swords switched places. A man from the UK standing near us remarked on the music being played during the solemn change of the guards, "That's a bit mad, isn't it?"



We skipped Queen Mary's dollhouse because the line was just too long. We instead breezed right into the state apartments. The kids really enjoyed seeing a castle with intact walls and ornate furniture. Megan prided herself on finding the hidden servant doors while Ian stared for a long time at the Tudor period portraits. We watched a guard near the rear (where the toilets were) march up and down on patrol then reposition himself near his booth. The pavement was worn smooth in his path.

We then went into the chapel where we saw a Who's Who of grave markers, including Henry VIII's. They actually allowed us to sit in the benches that line the ornately carved choir gallery. Looking up at the ceilings were almost the best part. We also found out that the queen isn't at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle right now - she's in Manchester (???) for the Maundy Thursday services. Oh well - all that waving yesterday for nothing.



We ate a quick lunch at Burger King (I know, I said I wouldn't) before hopping on the bus to LEGOland. We managed to get in and out of there without any more offending incidents. Lots more international visitors today. We hit the discontinued bins today and got some random LEGO pieces. Great fun.

Once again, Kurt is swimming with the kids and I am here. No time for tea, though, since we're having dinner shortly.

Cheers,
Jessi

Quote of the Day:

Sorry, my brain is fried. I can't remember at the moment what the kids said apart from "OOOh, a gift shop. Can we go in and buy something?"