Windsor

Saturday 25 August saw members of our group head off in the coach to Windsor. Most of us planned to visit Windsor Castle. Tickets had been pre-booked for the group and we arrived in Windsor by 10 am. However it was not until 10.45 that we finally made it through security and the gates and were able to explore the castle grounds.

Windsor Castle is an impressive structure. The original castle on the site was a Norman Castle. The castle was rebuilt by Edward III, including the royal apartments in the Upper Ward. Charles II and George IV were other monarchs who presided over alterations to the buildings.

The Changing of the Guard took place at 11 am.

A band also played a selection of music.

St George's Chapel was near where we watched the parade below so that was our next port of call.

Edward III established the College of St George on 6 August 1348. The College was attached to the Chapel of Edward the Confessor, originally built by Henry III. Edward IV commissioned the building of the new Chapel in 1475.

The Chapel of St George is a magnificent building. Having watched on television the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markell in this church earlier in the year it was interesting to see the building itself.

In the photo below, taken in an ITV report, the steps and arch door have been decorated with flowers for the wedding.

It was not possible to take photographs inside the chapel, however there are many online including this one in a CTV report about the wedding.

As in many other similar buildings the arches, vaulted decorated ceiling, wood carvings and stained glass windows are magnificent. This photograph also shows the banners of the Knights of the Garter.

We also visited the State Apartments which contain rooms used for official functions. This area was particularly crowded so we really had a glimpse of the rooms on display. As one of our group remarked, the rooms are awe inspiring and over whelming. It would be necessary to make a number of visits to take it all in. Royal Collection Trust has some images of rooms in the castle.

The Grand Staircase makes a most impressive entrance way with the statue of George IV at the bottom and two knights on horseback on either side of the stairs.

The Horseshoe Cloisters were built between 1478-1481 and restored in the 19th century. Members of the choir and their families now live in these buildings.

After visiting the castle we returned to the coach station through the shopping centre.

Bunting decorated the streets.

At the railway station we saw a replica (made in 1982) of the engine of the train, The Queen, which the Royal Family used to travel around the country to special events in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

 

Our trip to Windsor proved to be an enjoyable experience, even though everywhere we went was very crowded.

The Castle Guards

This post is primarily written for the grandchildren.

When we visited Windsor Castle we saw many guards dressed in their smart uniforms. The Guards at Windsor Castle are formed from five infantry regiments - Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh regiments - plus two regiments of the Household Cavalry -Life Guards and Blues and Royals. Traditionally the Guards have been protecting the castle and the monarch since 1660.

The Changing of the Guard is usually performed for the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 am. Fortunately we visited the castle on a Tuesday so we were able to watch this colourful ceremony.

The military band that played during the ceremony had many different instruments.

Later during the day we were looking through a locked gate at a building when we saw two guards marching towards us. They unlocked the gate. One marched a short distance from us and stopped while the other guard locked the gate again.

Locking the gate took a little time, especially as the guard was wearing his while gloves.

As we were standing very close to the guard we had a good view of his uniform.

The guard locked the gate.

He then joined the other guard and they marched off in unison.

Later in the day we saw another pair of guards marching through the crowds.

As we were leaving the castle grounds we saw a guard standing outside a sentry box.

Game 8 against Berkshire at Henley

The long drive to Henley on Thames was well worth it when we arrived at the picturesque Henley Cricket Club.

Henley Cricket Club was founded in 1869 as a club for gentlemen. Another club was formed in 1886 for the working man. Both clubs disbanded during World War I but reformed as the Henley Cricket Club in 1931. The new club rooms were opened in 2010.

The grounds belong to the club and each year, during the Henley Regatta, they are used, with the exception of the pitch, for car parking. This is a major fundraiser for the club.

Berkshire batted first and at 43 overs were all out for 138 runs. Brian Scott bowled 9 overs resulting in 2 for 31 runs, Robin bowled 3 overs getting 3 wickets for 15 while James Martin bowled 7 overs getting 2 wickets for 16 runs. The team bowled and fielded well taking 6 catches and there was also a run out.

In the 31st over Australia got the 133 runs required for the loss of one wicket. James Martin 52 and John Dedman 50 both retired. Greg Johnson scored the winning run on his birthday.

After the match a photograph was taken of the two teams with the dog who had spent the day watching the match.

A birthday cake was present to Greg for his birthday.

Henley is a very pretty town on the River Thames and we spent some time exploring.

Next door to the cricket ground are the Greencroft Allotments where members of the community grow vegetable or flower gardens.

The day we visited Henley rowing trials were taking place so it was very busy.

Crossing the bridge and looking in one direction you could see some of the boats preparing.

However we walked in the opposite direction to the loch and the weir

after eating lunch at the hotel.

There were many boats moored along the river including the Midsomer Maiden.

The weir includes fish ladders on either side.

We watched a number of boats navigate the loch.

Swans, ducks and geese swam happily on the river, including this mother carrying a baby on her back.

It was another great day.