Day 2: Windsor Castle

Day 2 is ready to be unveiled. Day 2 was Windsor Castle in the city of ... Windsor of course. Windsor Castle is the "primary residence" of the Queen. She spends her weekends here. She wasn't here today. Otherwise, I'm sure she would have said hi.

After our red-eye flight, we landed into Heathrow Airport and customs was CAKE! They should probably be a little more strict, but even so, it would be difficult to keep track of everyone I suppose. I mean, they don't call the phone number you give them. They don't double check the address you are "visiting". Anyway...my sister's mother-in-law, Kathi, (and family friend, and a past young women's leader) picked Lyle and I up and was ready to go out and about to give us a good show. We went out to her vehicle, also known as the "people carrier" or to us Americans as a "wagon". In fifteen minutes we were there...BAM! It was so beautiful to see the City and the old shops, boutiques, and cafes. The buildings were ancient, the architecture was detailed. Here are some of the shots. There were SO many that I took, but there is only so much space.

For some reason I kept taking pictures of lanterns and gargoyles. Don't ask.
The British flag flying high. FYI...the blue British flag is ONLY to be flown on a ship. It is the "navy British flag".
Lyle and I are lucky to be in this shot at all...the people taking the picture did not seem experienced in technology.
Here are solders/guards. Don't worry, they are carrying AUTOMATIC weapons.
Here is Lyle looking/pondering the map of Windsor Castle. I could have taken the EXACT same picture at each place we visited/toured. I didn't even bother looking at the map. What's the point?
There was a garden where the moat used to be around the castle. This garden was UNBELIEVABLE. Seriously, I could have spent all day in it. Flowers, benches, water fountains, and no bugs I'm sure!

After touring Windsor Castle (with audio guides that we listened to), we walked the little streets with Kathi giving us some fun facts about the town. I know they were interesting, but in one ear and out the other, right? After Windsor, Kathi drove us to her cute town of Twyford. This is a small town outside Reading which is a major suburb outside London. We went to Sainsbury's. Here Lyle and I bought lunch stuff, some cereal, and treats. Guess what Lyle had to have for his lunch each day? He bought a bag of cookies labeled, "Giant American Baked Cookies" He bought American cookies in London? Yes, but don't worry...he redeemed himself at the end of the trip by buying some "British" treats to try on our way home. Turns out, some of the treats we bought there are in the "British" section of the International Foods Isle. Figures. LOL.