After arriving in London at Heathrow airport at 9 AM (3 AM our time) we found our mini-bus and headed out for our mini-adventure on the way to the cruise ship. Destination #1 was a stop by Windsor Castle - which really meant wait in traffic figuring out what was going on and then realize it was the changing of the guard for the castle. We had to wait for them to go into their station which was right in front of our bus. Seeing as how we were about half of the crowd there to watch, not much importance given it seems to others.
The queen was in the castle which meant it was closed to tours - good for us since we didn't have time to stay anyhow. And, no, didn't see the Queen Mum.
So seems Windsor Castle is where she stays sometimes. It is right next to Eton College - the HS where William went I believe. A very large area of the land is actually owned by the queen. The part of the surrounding town we saw looking like a neat little tourist area with 3-4 story buildings, bottom floors mostly stores and restaurants.
First (of many) castles on the trip. And the first gargoyles! Cool thing - the road passing into the gate looked just like a bricked road until the cars passed in and then the posts rose up from the ground to block it.
Remember, we are all still in the nasty airplane clothes, hair, and overall dis-sheveled ness. When you're in a group, it's okay! The flight was nine hours but super fancy seats with built in TV monitors on the headrests, unlimited movies and TV to watch. And since I flew international years ago, the airports have figured out this obsession with electronics. There were charging stations in the airport, and we even had plugs between our airplane seats. Not the only reason for all of us going on very limited sleep. Not the most conducive tight sleeping situation. Unless you're my father-in-law who can sleep on command... Not to mention the lines we waited in for customs. And then the driving... We were tired, and thirsty, and fussy - at least this part of the "royal we" :) .
So let's talk about our first experience with Great Britain life. Green. Untrimmed medians and highways overflowing with wildflowers. Meadows with patchwork of color. These things called trees and lots of them. The round abouts - very indicative of this way of life I think. Americans want the fast way with immediate 90 degree turns; British are good with doing around 270 degrees the other way. Here's the geography lesson (as I understand it) - UK includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland who all use the pound. Great Britain includes the British Commonwealth - aka Canada and the like. Ireland (the lower part of the island to the left) is it's own self, using Euro. Scotland using the Scottish pound. All in all, if you're going there, spend some time brushing up on your British history as places and people will be more meaningful.
Seems when the Baggett parents are in charge of touring, food and fluid is not a priority. As I experience this first day. Greg told me to stop whining - did milk at least a snack out of this and had a very classy first meal at Mc Donald's. Tracy's only experience this trip with our friends here.
On for an hour drive into the country for Stonehenge - right off the main highway, a cross under bridge from the opposite side of the parking lot. Imagine just driving into London past Stonehenge every day to work? What? And it seems there are similar "henges" in the area, but this is the only one people talk about.
Also our first experience with the non-stop moistness that was to accompany us for the next two weeks. Out came the umbrellas. Did I mention Greg feels the need for kissing pictures - this is the only up close I promise. I managed to worm my way out of the others poor guy.
This is the field on the other side. Fields of green grass, yellow wildflowers - my first sheep! On the other side of the highway from Stonehenge (which was narrated Hehnge not hinge like we say) are some ancient burial mounds which looked just like big hills. Imagine having your sheep grazing not only across the highway from Stonehenge but just right next to ANCIENT burial mounds? This proximity with history just amazed me and the nonchalance of everyday life juxtaposed right there with it.
Happy graduation Tracy!
Snazzy little recorders to hold up to our ears for the narration. We plugged in the numbers as indicated on the signs and got led on the tour.
We adjusted to the time change pretty well I think. Can do amazingly well when you just continue to eat every 3 hours anyway and refuse to calculate out what time it really is. Coming back this way in the time zones didn't work as well...
So let's back up. Yes, some of you may be thinking - I didn't know they were going to England. The family didn't decide to go until about 6 weeks before departure, and some of us knew that was crazy to ask of work. So then decided to ask at countdown of about 3 weeks, get a yes, and then have to get passports and tickets and general life in order. All which implementing electronic medical record at work - very bad timing. Had to expedite the passports and shop around for prices and make reservations... stressful but decidedly well work it. Should we introduce the players? Grandparents, mom and dad in law, sis-bro-sis-and bro-in law - in laws :) . Yes, there were ten of us. On to Paris!
After arriving in London at Heathrow airport at 9 AM (3 AM our time) we found our mini-bus and headed out for our mini-adventure on the way to the cruise ship. Destination #1 was a stop by Windsor Castle - which really meant wait in traffic figuring out what was going on and then realize it was the changing of the guard for the castle. We had to wait for them to go into their station which was right in front of our bus. Seeing as how we were about half of the crowd there to watch, not much importance given it seems to others.
The queen was in the castle which meant it was closed to tours - good for us since we didn't have time to stay anyhow. And, no, didn't see the Queen Mum.
So seems Windsor Castle is where she stays sometimes. It is right next to Eton College - the HS where William went I believe. A very large area of the land is actually owned by the queen. The part of the surrounding town we saw looking like a neat little tourist area with 3-4 story buildings, bottom floors mostly stores and restaurants.
First (of many) castles on the trip. And the first gargoyles! Cool thing - the road passing into the gate looked just like a bricked road until the cars passed in and then the posts rose up from the ground to block it.
Remember, we are all still in the nasty airplane clothes, hair, and overall dis-sheveled ness. When you're in a group, it's okay! The flight was nine hours but super fancy seats with built in TV monitors on the headrests, unlimited movies and TV to watch. And since I flew international years ago, the airports have figured out this obsession with electronics. There were charging stations in the airport, and we even had plugs between our airplane seats. Not the only reason for all of us going on very limited sleep. Not the most conducive tight sleeping situation. Unless you're my father-in-law who can sleep on command... Not to mention the lines we waited in for customs. And then the driving... We were tired, and thirsty, and fussy - at least this part of the "royal we" :) .
So let's talk about our first experience with Great Britain life. Green. Untrimmed medians and highways overflowing with wildflowers. Meadows with patchwork of color. These things called trees and lots of them. The round abouts - very indicative of this way of life I think. Americans want the fast way with immediate 90 degree turns; British are good with doing around 270 degrees the other way. Here's the geography lesson (as I understand it) - UK includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland who all use the pound. Great Britain includes the British Commonwealth - aka Canada and the like. Ireland (the lower part of the island to the left) is it's own self, using Euro. Scotland using the Scottish pound. All in all, if you're going there, spend some time brushing up on your British history as places and people will be more meaningful.
Seems when the Baggett parents are in charge of touring, food and fluid is not a priority. As I experience this first day. Greg told me to stop whining - did milk at least a snack out of this and had a very classy first meal at Mc Donald's. Tracy's only experience this trip with our friends here.
On for an hour drive into the country for Stonehenge - right off the main highway, a cross under bridge from the opposite side of the parking lot. Imagine just driving into London past Stonehenge every day to work? What? And it seems there are similar "henges" in the area, but this is the only one people talk about.
Also our first experience with the non-stop moistness that was to accompany us for the next two weeks. Out came the umbrellas. Did I mention Greg feels the need for kissing pictures - this is the only up close I promise. I managed to worm my way out of the others poor guy.
This is the field on the other side. Fields of green grass, yellow wildflowers - my first sheep! On the other side of the highway from Stonehenge (which was narrated Hehnge not hinge like we say) are some ancient burial mounds which looked just like big hills. Imagine having your sheep grazing not only across the highway from Stonehenge but just right next to ANCIENT burial mounds? This proximity with history just amazed me and the nonchalance of everyday life juxtaposed right there with it.
Happy graduation Tracy!
Snazzy little recorders to hold up to our ears for the narration. We plugged in the numbers as indicated on the signs and got led on the tour.
We adjusted to the time change pretty well I think. Can do amazingly well when you just continue to eat every 3 hours anyway and refuse to calculate out what time it really is. Coming back this way in the time zones didn't work as well...
So let's back up. Yes, some of you may be thinking - I didn't know they were going to England. The family didn't decide to go until about 6 weeks before departure, and some of us knew that was crazy to ask of work. So then decided to ask at countdown of about 3 weeks, get a yes, and then have to get passports and tickets and general life in order. All which implementing electronic medical record at work - very bad timing. Had to expedite the passports and shop around for prices and make reservations... stressful but decidedly well work it. Should we introduce the players? Grandparents, mom and dad in law, sis-bro-sis-and bro-in law - in laws :) . Yes, there were ten of us. On to Paris!
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