Windsor Castle and Westminster

The time had come for a short excursion, and Windsor Castle seemed to be an ideal choice for winter. One has to be careful about visiting sites during the winter months because opening hours — and daylight hours — tend to be shorter, services and events are either intermittent or non-existent, and the weather can be unpredictable. For example, Windsor Castle's changing-of-the-guard ceremony is held every day, Monday through Friday, from April through September. The rest of the year, it's held only on even-numbered days. I planned my visit for Saturday the tenth so that I wouldn't miss it.

But the museum at the historic Eton College, a short walk away and across the Thames from Windsor, doesn't open until the end of March, while boat rides to Runnymede (about three miles from Windsor where King John signed the Magna Carta) don't begin until April. No matter, though: touring the castle and the town of Windsor is quite enough for one day, and I'm satisfied with having seen just those. I really enjoyed the castle and the town — taken together they reminded me of something out of Shrek.

The queen was in residence while I was there, and I know this because my audio guide (inclusive with the price of admission to the castle!) clued me in on how to tell: if the Union Jack is raised above the tower, she's not in residence, but if the Royal Standard is flying, then there she is (see illustrations below). Well, on Saturday the Royal Standard was raised above the tower. I wonder if the military band disturbs her during the changing of the guards. Even though the ceremony takes place quite a distance from the royal residential chambers, the music is very loud.

I've also included some pictures from last weekend taken in Westminster.

(Click an image to enlarge)

Union Jack - the queen is not in residence.


Royal Standard - the queen is in residence.

Windsor Castle - what was once a moat filled with water is now a garden.

Windsor Castle - the keep.

Another view of Windsor Castle.

The next few images show the changing of the guards
on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

A view from the grounds of Windsor Castle.
At left, St. George's Chapel.

A view from the grounds of Windsor Castle showing St. George's Chapel.

The Carpenters Arms, a pub in the town of Windsor.

The Houses of Parliament with Big Ben in the distance.

Westminster Abbey in the distance.

Looking across the Thames from Westminster toward the London Eye.