Windy Windsor

This marks the second weekend in a row where we have cursed the inadequacy of our outerwear to contend with the damp English weather! Today we decided to "get out of town" and go to Windsor for the day. Rain early this morning gave way to a beautiful sunny day (or so we thought) which unfortunately later gave way again to more rain and cold wind. So far I am finding the weather here to be about as cold as we would get in Ottawa at this time of year - but it remains to be seen what the actual winter will be like - perhaps it will stay about this temperature all season. But so far I have not felt much like a hardy Canuck.

The trip to Windsor was very quick and convenient - about half an hour altogether including a short bus ride and two train trips of about 6 minutes apiece. (On the way back we made the mistake of taking the wrong train - it went straight downtown with no stops so we had to backtrack to make it home! But at least now we have truly experienced the national rail service). My favourite part of Windsor Castle was St. George's Chapel - a beautiful church built in the 15th century in the Gothic style (lots of flying buttresses). Many famous heads of state are buried here, including Henry VIII and Charles I, as well as the Queen Mum and George VI. The Queen herself was in residence today as well and the castle staff were in the state rooms preparing for an official visit on Tuesday so we got to see some of them drying dishes in one of the dining rooms. It was too cold to walk to Eton or to the huge park that's in the city, but we may go back again to the town as it's so close by.