The Dreamer...: July 2009

Sorry, have been too lazy to blog. I decided to blog about the rest of my trip soon, as I feel that I'm losing the small details gradually. So, here goes!

On the 3rd of June, a Wednesday and also the fourth day of our Europe trip, I actually didn't plan on doing anything or going anywhere. We got back late from London the night before and although we slept in, I was thinking of relaxing a little and to spend time with the girls. However, when D asked me if we're doing anything today, for want of something to say, I said that we're considering going to Windsor Castle as it was heavily recommended by A. (It is another residence of the Queen outside London. She lives there most weekends.) We just are not sure how to go there and back. On hearing that, D immediately went into search mode and looked up the internet on the buses to take, routes the buses take, the timings, the costs of the buses, the opening and closing hours of Windsor Castle, etc. He said he could drive us to Windsor but we would have to take the bus back ourselves. There was a lot of researching going on and although at that point WJ and I were still undecided on going, on seeing that D was doing so much for us, we don't feel good to say that we're not going in the end and so end up making a last minute trip to Windsor Castle.

By the time we reached the town of Windsor, it was close to or about 2 plus in the afternoon. Wj and I had a late breakfast and since D didn't offer us any lunch, we didn't have any at the house. We stopped at a diner in town to have fish and chips for lunch before going up to the castle. Not the best fish and chips in London but passable. We also shared a plate of pasta which tasted funny. I think they cook with wine, which made it too sour. The normal paste has tomato sauce, which is sour too, but a tangy sour but this wine taste makes it just sourish. Anyway, not my favourite.

It was a 10-15 mins up to the castle from the town of Windsor. WJ and I took a slow stroll, taking in the shops along the way. By the time we reach the entrance of the castle, it was already 3 plus. There was a free audio tour available to all visitors and we took advantage of it. We took tons of photos just from the entrance to the middle of the castle. There was nice guard there we told us to hurry up to go into St. George's chapel as it was close to closing time. D highly recommend us to go into St. George chapel and so we rushed inside quickly.

St. George's chapel is really very interesting, with the stained glasses and many past Kings and Queens (including the Queen Mother!) buried inside. The only pity thing is that we aren't allowed to take pictures, so I can only rely on my memory to remember the things I saw inside. Both of us enjoyed the chapel and took sometime inside to really look at everything. The audio tour was a very big help in explaining all things and their histories.

When we came out of St. George's chapel, we walked up to the main castle itself, intending to go see the Queen's doll house and the apartments. When we past by the main courtyard, the same guard again told us that we have to hurry up as they're going to close the apartments soon too. So, it was another rush for us to go into the dolls' house and Queen's apartments. Everything inside the apartments were very interesting, and allows us to peek into the lives of the royals, past and present. Again, the rule of no photo-taking applies and we just have to content ourselves with the audio tour.

After the touring of Windsor Castle, it was about 5 plus. D gave us detailed timing for the buses back and I do want to get back early to at least play a little with the girls before they go to bed. So, we went in search of the bus-stop. It was quite easy to find but the next bus is some time away so we did a little window shopping. The bus journey home was actually not long and if everything goes well, we could be home in an hour, which gives me plenty of time to spend time with the girls. However, just as we were getting out of the town of Windsor, there was a traffic jam along the expressway. This took about 20 mins and screwed up the timing for our connecting bus. We again had to wait a little for the connecting bus as we missed the earlier connection and this was where our adventure of the day came.

The bus taking us back to the town of my host family will stop at a bus-stop along a street that I'm not that familiar with. D told me the name of the store to look out for and WJ thought she was being helpful by pointing out some landmarks. All these and my anxiety led to us getting off way too early. The moment we got off the bus and it drove off, we saw the sign that the town we're supposed to be in is int he opposite direction and by asking a passerby, we know that it is too far away to walk. So we had to take the next bus. The problem was, the next bus is not until 30 mins later. It was a cloudy day and the temperature was getting lower and we don't fancy waiting around in the middle of nowhere for the bus, so WJ suggested we walk down to the next bus-stop so at least we have some thing to do. And so we start our long trek. One alternative we could do was that we could call D to pick us up but I didn't want to disturb whatever D is busy with the children and also we don't really know where we are exactly, so it's quite pointless.

It was cold and dangerous and fun all at the same time. Both of us zipped up our jackets and walked along the road where cars were zipping past very fast. We past by two bus-stops and decided to stop at the third one as by the time we stopped there, the next bus was due to come soon. So we paid another two pounds each (the first bus cost us four pounds each). This time, when it was time to get off, I decided to open my mouth to ask whether it was the right one, regardless of being embarrassed. And so we got home safely and full of adventures to tell. WJ and I were saying if we were going to tell D about our stupidness and I was so embarrassed about it and was contemplating whether to tell when I got home. However, the moment D saw us all wrapped up and asked if we were cold, I could not find a suitable enough excuse and spilt everything out. He didn't make too much of a fuss and we were spared the embarrassment. Well, at least it gives us an added memory to this trip.