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The girls didn’t want to get going this morning. Busy days and late evenings are catching up with them. Chloe and I took the train into Redhill and let Trista sleep a little bit longer. We stopped in the library to look around and bought an extra suitcase for the trip home. When we got back to the flat we left for Windsor.

We met a woman at the train station from the US. She is living in England now with her British husband. She had a baby with her and said she had a son in school. She told us that the schools were not good but mostly because the children misbehave so much. She could not wait to to move back to the states and said it would be before the baby went to school for sure. Interesting. We have seen many very young people smoking and asking for money in the streets of Redhill.

The train ride was nice and not too long. Windsor is about 20 miles west of London on the Thames river. Then it was a walk UPHILL (of course) to the castle. The queen still lives and entertains at Windsor. Windsor castle has been a royal residence for about 1000 years and it is the largest of the castles.

We got audio guides to use throughout our tour. They are used many places and they are quite good. They work very well and tell much interesting information. It was exciting to think we were walking up stairs or sitting in chairs the royals (and guests) had just used. The original artwork still displayed was wonderful. The beds are short but very luxurious. Lots of deep colors. The castle is so big it is no wonder they charge and let visitors come. It must be so expensive to maintain. We were there for many hours; they were closing so we had to leave.

Walking back through town we browsed in some shops. I must explain what happened next. I had been carrying a large manilla envelope under my arm most of the day looking for a place to mail it. I finally found a post box large enough to accept it. As we were in one of the shops I found a book about London written in Spanish that would be a perfect gift for a young friend who is studying Spanish. I stuck it under my arm so I could look in another bin. I bought a few gifts in the shop and we went on down the hill toward the train station. In a little while I realized I had that Spanish book still stuck under my arm where I was used to the feel of the manilla envelope. I could not believe it and was horrified. I wanted to return the book immediately but the shops were now closed! Trista and Chloe thought it was funny because I was so upset and I am sure will tease me about it forever!

Since everything closes so early we returned to the flat. We have a big day tomorrow.