My 'old' World - Windsor Castle

This week I thought I'd take you back to my old world once more and a place that I worked in for six years - Windsor. So I have raided the many photo's I have taken over the years and here is my mini tour.

As I traveled into work down the M4 most days I would get glimpses of Windsor Castle towering over the town in the distance. Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the World and an awe inspiring sight even from a distance. I hasten to add this shot was not taken on the move, but from a local hill with a splendid view!

This is the outside of the castle fronting onto the main through street in Windsor. I wouldn't like to guess how many times I have walked past this Norman wall. The Norman tower on the far left of this photo is the oldest part of the castle and I always walked past just gazing at it in wonder.

Once inside the outer wall the amazing architecture just keeps on coming, this is one of the main gates you walk through to reach the interior of the castle.

This is the entrance into the castle from the driveway through Windsor Great Park. Guests of the Queen enter this quadrangle on the right by either vehicle or carriage. They are then driven around it to the archway on the left, where they alight and enter the castle.

One of the most popular sights is the changing of the guard, tourists flock to take their pictures and to try and make them change facial expression, to no avail!

This is the Round Tower another of the most ancient parts of the castle. But this was totally gutted inside during the terrible fire in the 1990's. I was working opposite the castle at the time and saw the whole thing develop over 10 hours. It was so upsetting to see a great piece of our history go up in flames. I will never forget hearing sirens for hours as Fire Dept's from all over the area arrived to help. Later that night I returned with my then husband and we stood in the park surrounded by the worlds news crews, watching in horror. I even shed a few tears, as having worked in it's shadow for years I was very upset. Amazingly the restoration restored all the damaged parts to their former glory wonderfully.

Here is St Georges Chapel, the site of many of the recent Royal Weddings and last resting place of many royals, including our much loved Queen Mother. It is also the sacred home of the Knights of the Garter and holds many ancient treasures.

And finally, how do you know if the Queen is in residence. Well you look for this specific flag flying aloft, the Royal Standard. As I walked to lunch, I would always glance upwards to see if she was in town!

Without any doubt this is one of the first places you MUST visit if you ever get to England. The Hubster was totally awe struck when I took him there for a day and I know he will never forget it.

To join in the fun go to My World Tuesday