Windsor Castle ---> Brilliant!

Today - Windsor Castle... but first, our dinner last night.  No, I didn't take any photos of the meal - but I will soon, I promise.  We went to The Greene Oak, recommended by our hostess at Rainworth House.  It used to be a pub, but now it's more like a bar and restaurant or maybe a very posh pub, if there is such a thing.  I'd love to say that it was a marvelous experience, but... unfortunately I can't.  These folks were...well, they were simply snotty.  Or snooty.  Not sure if it was John's Midlands accent, or my American one, but at least while we sat at the bar and drank a pint of English beer, they were not in the least accommodating.  We later moved to a table, had a nice tasty meal, and found the folks over there if not truly pleasant, then faking it quite well.  John enjoyed lamb chops with mint/pea risotto.  He got a rather large portion of "proper" mint sauce to go with it, and was thrilled.  I had chicken breast and mashed potatoes with pea/pancetta sauce/gravy.  Sounds odd, but it was great.  Oh goodness, I forgot to mention the appetizer.  Hold on to your seats folks.... I actually consumed a bit (albeit a small bit) of smoked mackerel on rocket with chorizo.  John loved it!  I simply couldn't get past the mackerel bit.  I kept envisioning it on a label of cat food!  And "rocket" for all our American friends, is much like "baby greens" or arugula.  For dessert, we shared  a delicious Gooseberry Bakewell tart.  Ok, enough about last night's eatings.  On to today's outings!

What a great day to visit Windsor Castle!  We woke to brilliant sunshine and blue skies - a welcome surprise.  After a very pleasant "full English" breakfast (aka "death on a plate") we made our way to the castle.  It was our lucky day, as the changing of the guard was taking place just 30 minutes after we arrived.  We had no idea that they do a ceremonial guard change much like the one that takes place at Buckingham Palace.  Then in to the castle itself with the excellent audio tour guide device.  Every important area is marked with a number, you punch the number into your device and listen to the commentary.  One of the interesting 'side effects' - if you will - was the relative silence as you walked through this magnificent place.  Everyone was intently listening to the commentary in their own language.  I am sooooo glad I read "The Other Boleyn Girl" before coming to Windsor.  Particularly because there was a special exhibition dedicated to the 500th anniversary to King Henry VIII.  There were portraits, Henry VIII's suit of armor (quite large, as his girth increased with his age), a letter/booklet signed by him that was sent to Rome when he was doing all he could to delete Catholicism in England, his royal seal, and much, much more.

What was particularly stunning were the State Apartments!  I found my own mouth agape several times as we wandered throughout.  They don't allow photography, so I have nothing to show, but the Waterloo Chamber was so impressive, as were many other rooms.  After touring the main castle, we went to St Georges Chapel which is inside the castle grounds.  A beautiful church which is still used daily for worship services.  Inside are quite a few crypts of famous deceased people.  Henry VIII is buried there with his 3rd wife, Jane Seymour.  The present Queen's parents and sister are interred there as well as many others.  We were so glad we took the time to visit Windsor Castle and take in all it has to offer!

Then it was onward towards Yeovil in Somerset.  Along the way I managed to snap another "only in Britain" photo.  This one I actually like.  It's a picture of a free-range pig farm... aka "Hog Heaven". :)  Hey, if we have free range chickens and "happy California cows", then why not give pigs a pleasant life too?!!

 

Next thing we knew we were at our B&B near Yeovil, Thorne Cottage.  We're settling in for a lovely long sleep after a great dinner at a country pub - where the folks were ever-so-nice!  Check it out here.  Of course Somerset is known for it's cider - so we each had a pint of the delectable stuff with our meal!

Tomorrow:  on the road to Penzance