Windsor Castle

Two weeks into our time here, we decided we couldn't go any longer without getting local cell phones.  We were advised to turn off our US cell phones when we arrived in the UK, because the fees for using them abroad are exorbitant.  We put our iPhones on hiatus and decided to get some pay-as-you-go mobiles (pronunced moh-bye-ul).  There are bunches of phone stores in Windsor's shopping district, so off we went, bright and early, leaving plenty of time to visit Windsor Castle before we did our errand.

High Street in the town of Windsor

It was another gorgeous, warm, sunny day, so we slathered on the sunscreen and started walking.  The castle is built on the top of a hill (as most are), and we (well, mostly Erik) got a workout pushing 80 pounds-worth of kids in a double stroller up toward the castle's keep.  

Checking the map

While we're on the subject of our stroller, I should mention that it has been a huge hit in this country.  Starting with our arrival in Heathrow, people have commented on our Joovy Caboose sit-stand double stroller everywhere we go.  I kid you not, a man stopped me as we were trying to walk out of the airport, jetlagged and dazed, and asked where I had gotten the stroller.  He wrote down the name and "Amazon" on a piece of paper, as I tried to politely get out the door.  Just about every time we take the stroller out someone says something like, "That's quite a good buggy, isn't it?"  I've only seen one other double stroller in England, and it was a side-by-side double for twins.  At first I thought maybe they were just better about encouraging their little ones to walk longer distances, but they all seem so envious of the Caboose.  If I had a more entrepreneurial spirit, I think I could make some serious money at selling these here.  Thanks again, Dad and Bobby, for the baby gift that keeps on giving.

Back to Windsor Castle.  It was built by William the Conquerer in the 11th century, and it is the oldest royal residence in the British Isles that has been in continual use.  The castle is one of the queen's favorite homes, and we learned that she spends most of her weekends there.  The royal standard (her flag) was flying over the castle, so we knew she was home.  Soren still didn't manage to have an audience with her.

A statue of Queen Victoria welcomes visitors

The Queen is in.

We were all fascinated by the skinny openings in the stone walls for shooting arrows at attackers.  

From the outside

From the inside

They also make good seats.  Soren announced that he HATES photos, so this was the best I could do.

We were also fascinated by the moat, which has now been turned into a garden.  It reminded me of "The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown, a kids' book where a little boy grows a garden on an abandoned train track and it spreads all over the city.

The gate was locked, but we could look over the wall into the moat.

Garden in the moat

We squeezed in with throngs of people to see Queen Mary's dollhouse and the state apartments, which are full of oil paintings, suits of armor, treasures given by or plundered from various other countries, and ornate furniture.  Photos aren't allowed inside the castle, so you'll have to use your imagination.  The area where the queen actually lives is off-limits for visitors.  

This is where the queen lives.

Here's one last view of the castle on our way out.  

As we made our way back down the hill and out to the High Street, we could see a line of people waiting to get in that stretched around the block.  We had arrived about 20 minutes after the castle opened, so we were able to enter right away.  We are quickly learning that it pays to be early when sightseeing in England, before the buses full of tour groups and other masses of people arrive.  There is, apparently, one benefit to having two early-rising kids.  Sunrise these days is around 4:45 AM, so we are up and ready to go well before everything is open.  I can only imagine when they will wake up as we approach the summer solstice.