Windsor Castle, 19 Feb

Windsor Castle

An extremely delayed post of my day trip to Windsor Castle with Travel Society. They organise trips to nearby areas for kinda relatively cheap transport prices. Didn't expect much of it then, in fact I was initially very lazy to go but I paid for it already so I went anyway. And it turn out to be really interesting

Journey There and Back
3 hour plus long bus ride to the castle.. It was raining and super cold, and even on the entire 3 hour bus ride I was still not warmed up :( When we reached, we had to wait at least half an hour to get our tickets into the castle...
Spent the 4 odd hours we had there just in the castle, there wasn't really time to explore other attractions. Anyway, it was the main attraction so I guess it was ok. Haha.
Took another 3 hours journey back.. It's like spending 2/3 of the day out travelling and waiting.

Windsor Castle
It's the largest and oldest inhabited castle in Europe. And yes, it's one billion times better than the pathetic Nottingham Castle (which wasn't really a castle). It's the Queen's favourite place.
There was an audio guide tour about the castle, so it definitely gave a lot of insights about England's history, royalty, and even on some artists! There was so much info, I don't think I remember them all :(
So I regreted not buying the Official Guide to Windsor Castle book! It was £4.95.. I couldn't decide if I wanted to spend that money, and I end up not doing so :(

Entering the castle - Cold and wet!

So there's the State apartments, and semi-state apartments.. St George Chapel (more about it later), and there was Queen Mary's Doll house, and some exhibition currently on Prince Philip. Sadly, changing of the guards was not scheduled that day.

There's the lower ward, middle ward and upper ward.. I can't really remember where's what(no guidebook bought to refer to) But it was built by William the Conquerer as a fortress sort of thing.. And then later when Henry I was in rule, the royalties started using the place, and later, the famous Queen Victoria (I reccomend watching the movie to know more about her) started using it even more for enterntainment. In 1992, there was a fire that broke out in the castle, but they manage to salvage and restore the castle.

Where the soilders shoot arrows out from!
Angled such a way so that they don't get hit, but get to shoot their arrows up and out.

*I didn't take a photo of this at first, and in order to go "backwards" - I lied that I dropped my glove! Just to take a picture of this.. hahaha.

So we entered the Upper Ward to see Queen Mary's Doll house (I was so thankful to be indoors, because it was freezing and raining outside, I was shivering from head to toe - literally.).
Basically, she was fascinated with miniture things - so the huge Doll house, which was never played with.. Every item is made with such great detail, and given as gifts to Queen Mary.. It's super huge for a doll house(It's the largest in the world, supposedly)
Then it was Prince Philip's exhibition - wow, he is super talented - military leader, painter, engineer... everything to sum it all.

Next was the highlight of the castle for me - entering the state apartments, seeing all the rooms, the super pretty designs/detail.. learning the functions of the rooms, restoration work after the fire.. learning about the Coat of Arms and the Order of the Gartner.. I'm still quite confused about the history and all, but it made me want to find out more.

Unfortunately, they don't allow pictures anywhere inside..
There's this room (I forgot the name) - It's like a large dining hall - and during Royal functions or some sort, a super long table will be stretched out - sitting 160 guests! Quite cool huh.
And some rooms have painted ceilings, and wood carvings on the wall.. totally magnificant and palace like.

No pictures allowed inside - what a pity!

Next up, after exiting the state apartments: St George's Chapel. - Home to the Order of the Gartner, and for services, they have boy choristers.

Gothic style - St George's Chapel

During the annual gartner service, they will proceed from the state apartments there (i think) to the chapel for service.
And the banners (Heraldic banners, if I am not wrong) are hanged above.. they are permanently there, not just for the service. Super grand.

By then, we were quite ready to leave. Went shopping in the shops - magnet for mom, cup for dad.. but now.. ?
Anyways,

Hello guard.
PS: I think the guard's hat/helmet was tickling his nose, he kept blowing the fur up, haha.

And that was the end of the Windsor Castle trip. I think it kinda stopped raining by the time we were out in the open, so it was good.

**
On a separate note, i've been dreaming alot of dreams.. hah.