Day 14= Jan 17

This was one early morning.  We got this morning at 7 in order to make it to our train that was to leave at 8:28, at 8:26 we finally made it to the platform to board the train.  We were cutting it often close, we ran after we got off the underground in order to make it on time.  Our train ride was out to Winsor Castle, this is one of the residences where the queen resides for part of the year.  This is the largest castle in the world that is still used to live in.  It was huge. I was told that it covers over 20 acres.  There was a huge tower that stands right in the middle of the castle on a hill kinda.  This was neat. At the base of the tower there was a moat of sort.  It had this garden at the bottom of it that it even more pretty.  I think it might have been manmade but there was a little stream than ran thought the garden and mot.  It made it really neat.  All of the streets in the castle were stone or brick so that made it neater.  On the one side of the castle it sat on the top of a hill. And you could see for a long ways.  The other thing that was really cool in the castle was the doll house that one of the queens had.  It stood about 6 feet tall and was absolutely breath taking.  There was so much detail it was so cool. Also there was a church in the castle.  It was not the biggest church I had been in but had some of most beautiful craftsmanship that I have ever seen.  The way that the pillars went clear to the ceiling and then it looked like the just exploded out ward, then it cleared a really wide span between the two sides of the main portion of the church.  And there were little details all over.  Then there was this smaller place where there was a seat for every knight in the royal arms.  Prince Charles had a seat there along with about 30 others.  The wood work and brass work in this area was indescribable.  Without seeing it you just can't get what it looked like.  Absolutely beautiful. 

While we were there we got to see the changing of the guards. It was not near as big as the one Buckingham palace but we were actually able to see it so that was cool. The one thing that we were unable to see was the queen’s quarters because she was staying there at the time.  But I got a pass to go back again for free so I am planning to use it some time. 

When we left the castle we went to a couple of gift shops and got some stuff. We then went out to eat at this nice little restaurant. Had fish and chips.  We then walked around for a while at the shops there and then came back to the rooms.  After we got back we did not do much. Ate supper and worked on papers and took naps. Few of us went to the pub that night for a while but nothing exciting. 

Rick