Windsor Castle

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”  And he replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”  So I went forth, and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night.  And he led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.  
Minnie Louise Haskins 1908 

 Our day in Windsor was lovely although maybe not quite christmasy enough for me. After Basildon Park I expected lots of rooms to be decorated but at Windsor there were only a few. They had a small table set for a meal - all decorated in gold with ivy running all over the table. Some small artificial trees and one large one and some lovely banisters covered in foliage(artificial) and orange slices, berries etc.... Some of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's presents were displayed in cabinets. 


Apparently each member of the family would have had their own small Christmas tree on a table and

the presents would have been displayed around the tree. Albert had designed jewellery for Victoria. 

The gardens which are on view over the walls are really lovely. On Saturday a lady was gardening right at the top of the slope -quite tricky to balance there. I did wonder if hobbits lived in the small caves you can see on the bottom pictures.

We saw the guard being changed and as ever i was amazed at their marching - perfectly in time together ignoring all that was going on around them. (A child was shouting at his mum who was telling him to move out of the way). Reminded me of a visit we had with Chloe when she had run ahead of us up the hill and the guard appeared marching behind her. before we could get to her they reached her - broke formation around where she was,  by now sitting on the floor quite concerned by these large men marching towards her. They reformed perfectly just beyond her.

 I wish we had videoed it. She didn't cry as it all happened so quickly with just one shout by the soldier in charge to tell the men to break formation and then reform. 

We returned home to a very messy kitchen where more cake pops were being made. 

 Today we had good news - Ben passed his driving test first time at 8am this morning. I think he did very well as the traffic must have been quite busy. It is a shame we can't afford to insure him at the moment! Otherwise I could have a chauffeur. 

Chloe has taken her exam which will decide where she will work for the next 2 years. She will find out in February. 

 This week - coffee and lunch  with friends, meetings, finishing clearing up Christmas, flower arranging and bible study and hopefully some more family treeing.