A Day in the Country
Today (well, yesterday) we had the day off from everything so I took the train out to historic Egham which is near Windsor Castle and Runnymede. I met up with my friends Jane and Margaret who kindly helped arrange the timing of the journey. Jane had some household tasks and Margaret agreed to take me to Windsor .
We lunched at Bar 163 which sits on what I assume if the main street of Egham.
We had lunch at this restaurant. The soup was mushroom and blue cheese. Excellent.
Lunch was relaxed with excellent company and very good food. I had the mushroom and blue cheese soup. Across the street was a small church. The view down the street gives a sense of the size of the town.
Small church across from the restaurant where we had lunch in Historic Egham.
The street on which we had lunch in Egham.
After lunch, Jane took us up to Windsor Castle on the way giving a quick driving tour. We passed the monument where the Magna Carta was signed (although apparently it really happened across the road).
Once in the town of Windsor, she dropped us off and we headed for the castle.
A view of the town of Windsor
A view of the town of Windsor just outside the gate.
I was surprised at how close the village of Windsor runs right up to the walls of the residence. We think the Queen was in residence. Her flag was flying over one of the turrets. I think there is a picture.
Our entrance into Windsor Castle.
Windsor Castle
St. George’s Chapel to the right.
A garden inside a walled off area.
The state apartments I toured are in this section of the castle.
The guard.
Margaret and I just having a good time.
Just outside the entrance to the state apartments looking to the left.
Looking out across the countryside you can see Eton School. The large structure on the left side.
I’m standing in front of St. George’s Chapel.
After a bit of wandering outside we went through the state apartments which were beautiful. So much like Versailles only British in style and taste. Sorry, no pictures were allowed inside. I did see several portraits that I know well such as Elizabeth I as a teenage girl, Edward IV, and Henry VIII.
We left the castle and made our way into the town and relaxed for bit with a drink. There is a good deal of shopping. I managed to avoid. Jane picked us up about 5 and we headed back to their home. They treated me to a pitcher of Pimm’s. Margaret felt I needed to try this and it was delicious. Pimm’s is a liquor, gin based which is mixed with (Jane said) lemonade but, it is not American lemonade. She added diced strawberries and cucumbers with chopped mint. It made refreshing cool drink. We then had a wonderful dinner before they took me back to the train so I could make it back to London which I did by 10 pm. All in all it made for a relaxing day in the country and I thank my hosts for their generosity.
My friends Jane and Margaret in front of their home.