One thing about being a kiwi is a fascination for old stuff. Old stuff like castles and their treasures; ruins with the whispers of past peoples; tumuli (ancient burial mounds); crumbling walls; ancient standing stones. Windsor castle is one of my favourite spots and one I've visited often. Windsor is a working castle with guards changing with much pomp and ceremony. Windsor Castle is one of three official residences of The King and has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years. The Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world and the oldest in continuous occupation. I'd never been inside before.
My Saturday treat was a guided tour! You see my lovely friend used to work at the castle protecting those inside needing protection. Wonderful because we get VIP treatment with the flash of ID. The changing of the guard was amazing from close up and I got lots of video for the little boy in Newcastle who loves tanks and soldiers. I chose a few photos here rather than the videos.
"Elite soldiers have guarded the King or Queen since the reign of Henry VII who made the Royal Body Guard a permanent institution which has spanned over 520 years of history. Guards Regiments were formed to provide a personal bodyguard for the Sovereign with the first Guards raised in 1656 to protect the exiled King Charles II. Comprised of highly-trained officers and soldiers, they are among the oldest units of the British Army and have fought with great distinction in nearly every major conflict involving soldiers of the United Kingdom since the 17th century." Information from here.
The changing of the guards is a ritual steeped in the history of this place, and I've seen this at Buckingham Palace as well. The precision of the soldiers is amazing and how they kept so still and expressionless is beyond me. It was also freezing so the bandsmen must have had a tough time playing with cold fingers. The music was lovely, gotta love a good military band!
We explored St George's Chapel and paid our respects where Queen Elizabeth was laid to rest. The Chapel is steeped in history with many monarchs and famous folks interred below. I always feel a bit odd walking on the memorial stones laid in the floor of churches here. There were certainly a couple of moments I felt the spirits of this place, those shivers I get sometimes. I got to stand where Megan and Harry got married and sit in the surrounding pews where more famous folks have sat, soaking in the atmosphere in quiet contemplation.
As the castle is a working castle, wandering through the rooms was to step into the lives of others. Imagining royal others dining under the view of huge painting, using the best china, crystal and cutlery. There were displays of arms everywhere as well as the armor used in combat. King Henry VIII armor was big reflecting his later stature, I could almost see him watching us. The castle is well kept and looked after a by a large group of knowledgeable volunteers. We had a stupid question discussion with a couple of them. Still the best was from my friend who was asked by an American tourist: Why did they build the castle so close to the airport?
I'm heading back to Australia and New Zealand soon to catch up with family and friends. The trip is for about 6 weeks, maybe longer as I have a flexi ticket and I have stuff to do there. I'm so looking forward to seeing the kids and the grandies. I'm not looking so forward to that very long flight.
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| A pano of the Thames on the way to the Boatman for lunch |
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| Inside the castle and the guards below |
