I spent all morning at Windsor Castle. All afternoon walking around my neighborhood—The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. I had a great time. The day started out raining, but while I was viewing Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House it stopped. The afternoon was fairly sunny and breezy. At Windsor we got to see Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, State Apartments—lots of rooms, Treasures of the Castle, St. George’s Chapel and Semi-State Rooms.
* Note: no photography allowed inside most of the buildings.
**Today’s journey had me traveling by foot, Uber, bus and Underground.
Windsor Castle today—Windsor Castle is a royal residence at Windsor in the English county of Berkshire including two building complexes, or courts, separated by a circular tower. There is almost a millennium of architectural history here. This was our entrance to Windsor Great Park. I think through this arch is what is referred to as the Middle Ward.The Round Tower. It is in the Middle Ward separating the Upper Ward from the Lower Ward.Part of the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle (one of its oldest remaining parts, although the conical roof is a 19th century addition), the Curfew Tower is famous because its dungeons were used to keep the prisoners. The upper story contains the castle bells and clock.Views from inside Windsor Great Park while walking around. Stunning.
More views.
A bronze equestrian statue of King Charles II on horseback sits in the Upper Ward of Windsor Castle beneath the castle’s Round Tower. This bronze statue is next to the South Wing entrance.
The lower ward includes St. George’s Chapel. Prince Harry of Wales and Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenia of York and Jack Brooksbank are among those who were married here. Hope I got their names/titles correct. ; )
I think I am technically in South Kensington. It is a great neighborhood to walk around, sit in a cafe, people watch and grab a bite to eat.
This is the white block in my neighborhood.
One beautiful white home after another.
My go to grocery store in the neighborhood. It is kinda like a Trader Joe’s. It was nice! And convenient.
Hey, if anyone wants to fact check me here, please do so. I feel like today was a tad jumbled and confusing at Windsor Castle. My guide was disorganized and I am still a bit jet lagged.
Definitely tomorrow, more book stores and bakeries!
I actually had tea and scones and smoked salmon moscovite. Sorry, I ate the scone before I remembered to take the picture. The smoke salmon moscovite was out-of-this-world delicious. YUM! And I think I am a freshly baked, still warm, jam first and clotted cream on top scone person. And you?
On my walk to The Ritz, I passed lots of parking spaces with plug in capability. And FYI, if you want a good cup of coffee, you have to go Italian. Caffe Nero is my personal choice here and in Ireland.
I also passed many neighborhood book stores and bakeries. Geez, why don’t we have more of these? So, everyday I will be adding some pictures of these great bookstores and bakeries. I promise to only have one sweet per day!
I walked passed Harrods and a bit passed The Ritz because I wanted to stop in at Fortnum & Mason. I wanted to buy some tea for Mike. I had really wanted to have high tea here, but they are booked until after Christmas!
Fortnum & Mason below,
Too early for wine. Next time
Halloween and fall themed chocolate bar. Everything was beautiful. I only bought a few pieces. : )
So today’s journey had me on foot and taking advantage of The London Underground, their rapid transit system. I love taking public transportation along my travels. It gives me a sense of real, local life.
I made it back to the hotel. Another great day; a tad drizzly, but great. I don’t know why I don’t bring some kind of hair gel on my trips. My hair tames pretty easily—I’m buying hair product tomorrow!
PS My HP, Paris friend is sick and couldn’t make it. So, my first week of this trip and my last week will be solo. All the other weeks I have family or friends joining me.
PPS Some local nuances and similarities,
The London Underground = rapid transit system
Sitting for an exam = taking an exam (overheard some students)
I’m going to scoot off = goodbye/see you later
I don’t think they say cheerio anymore—or so I have been told.
Bloody = incredulous or anger
Boot = car trunk (I had no idea what my taxi driver was talking about)
Smarmy = untrustworthy or scheming
Cheeky = impolite
Bollywood = umbrella (it drizzled today, so I heard a lot)
Whinge = moan, complain (I overheard some talking about Prince Harry and they kept saying that he is a whinger)
Daft cow = silly or stupid person
Splash out = spending significant money on a particular item (trying not to do this!)
British people still seems a tad more reserved to me.
Brits say, have = we say, take
Word pronunciation is different.
Driving on the left! Makes me crazy. So, they drive on the left, kinda walk on the left, but all the Underground escalator signs say to stand on the right—go figure. 🤦♀️😏
They have lots of American brands: Starbucks, Ray-Ban, Gap, Aveda, Hallmark, Nike and North Face — I’ve seen these so far.
Well, that’s about it for me this evening. Go Phillies!!
PPPS My digs for the next few days below. It’s nice. South Kensington has lots of elegant properties, semi-pedestrianised roads, lots of shops and cafes and on the Piccadilly Underground line—it’s pink on most maps. Creating a Parisian feel (getting me ready for my next stop!).
Dream to Travel from NCM 