Day Trip to Windsor 10.6.17

Our sights were set for Windsor, so when we started seeing signs for it on the motorway, yes we did get excited! We'd been driving for just under an hour, having left at 10am and couldn't wait for our adventure to get started.

We drove through Datchet and all of a sudden the castle was there, looming above us in its old-fashioned yet overstated glory. We found a car park in its shadow and paid for a 5 hour stay - hoping this was neither too little nor too long a time. 

 

Whilst tracing the circumference of the castle, a sightseeing bus drove passed us. We discussed whether to buy a ticket for it because we have had such good experiences with them in London and Paris, but decided against it. This way we weren't scheduled and could go where we pleased when we pleased (plus there it only went to something like 6 places..)

We walked passed Windsor Primary School and the Riverside and Eton Station on our way up the hill and thought we might catch a little tour around the castle. That was until we saw the queue...  

Living a mere hour away we decided that we could come back for a tour and book online prior.

The Royal Standard was flying; the Queen was home and we could have, at any moment (whilst near the castle), been within 100 metres of her. Although I'm pretty sure she would live on the other side of the castle for safety reasons.

 As a member of Girlguiding UK, my souvenirs tend to only be that of a cloth badge nature and I have quite the selection of them from different countries and places I've visited. So naturally I had to have one from Windsor. 

After we found one in a very tacky gift shop, we ventured down a little side street and came across The Heritage Garden; sweet-smelling and pretty. I doubt I have to tell you we stopped to take pictures :P

We then proceeded to (stereotypically) do what girls do best and shopped for the best part of three hours! It's always exciting to have a new choice of shops to shop in. Especially ones that are wonky;

On our way back to the car with an hour left we took the route that passed by the River Thames and came across Donald and Daisy Duck, an awful lot of swans and ducks, oh and a bridge, which we crossed. On this side of the river was Eton and we made that our aim. There was tailor after tailor along the main street towards the college; evidently to provide all the penguin suits to the Eton boys. 

The college was closed to the public, but we still got a sneaky peak inside..

And hey, I can now say I've been to Eton! 

With sore feet we traipsed back to the car. But on our way happened across the 'Secret Garden of Eton' which was small but rather picturesque. 

Back in the car we drove over the River Thames to Eton to ensure we didn't miss anything and then headed back home - on our way we drove along Slough Road which the satnav aptly pronounced 'Sluff' >.< and we had a little giggle..

We saw the traffic on the M4 and set the satnav to avoid motor ways; on our scenic drive we passed through Iver Heath and Hanger Lane and arrived home at 5:20pm.