I did do a session on the cross-trainer before cooking dinner; a nice healthy prawn stir-fry with some Thai sauce. And we then flopping down again on the sofa to watch Gardener’s World and HIGNFY on TV. It may not be exciting, but we were joined on the sofa by Molly, and all was right with the world.
We had decided to head to Windsor on Saturday, as Southeastern were having a train ticket sale, and we could get to Windsor for the price of just getting to London. And as usual it like a military operation; up before dawn, breakfast and down to the station for the 06:44 service to St Pancras. All went well, but despite having the credit card I had ordered the ticket with me, I needed the reference number; which I did not have, but luckily I did get the mail from my phone. Well, after downloading the update anyway.
In London by eight, across London to Paddington by tube, to find that a train to Slough was about to leave. We jump on board; not literally, but we do jump to it, get a seat by the window, and soon we are zooming through West London and out into the Thames valley. At Slough there was a train waiting; we cross the platform to board the 2 coach DMU, and soon we were rattling along the short branch, over the Thames and into the Royal borough of Windsor.
And we had decided to come because of that Michael Portillo bloke and his Great British Railway Journeys TV show, one episode saw him in Windsor marvelling at the station. Yes, the station which had been enlarged for Queen Victoria, and for a station at the end of a half mile branch had two b island platforms and a bay one too. And the building is huge, more like a London terminus. It is now filled with restaurants and eateries, but is still glorious. And we celebrated this fact by choosing to have second breakfast at the Cinnamon Café; bacon butties and large Americanos.
Bellies full we did a quick tour round the town before the crowds arrived, with me snapping as I went. Into the parish church where we received a very warm welcome indeed, and I snapped some more.
Time then to head to the castle; and with heavy hearts and less heavy wallets, at least after we had paid, we bought our tickets for £17 each, and we could go in. Just don’t stand on the grass. There were signs.
Sadly, photography wasn’t allowed in any of the castle buildings; so you’ll just have to go yourself to see how grand and wonderful it all is. But all that luxury and privilege has hardened my republican heart, and I am even more firmly convinced that we should abolish the monarchy and spend the money on the poor, the ill or the sick. The castles, palaces and crown jewels will still be there, will mean the same thing, and people will pay huge sums to go and visit them. Just a rich woman and her family won’t have to live in palaces, or travel in horse drawn carriages to open a new Aldi Store or a bridge and have to have those really tough month long holidays at Sandringham or Balmoral.
Anyway, I did enjoy myself; would have been better if I could have taken some photographs inside, but, I didn’t. Well, except after coming out of St George’s Chapel, I did nap Prince Albert’s chapel as I thought I was outside the no photography area and took a couple of shots before I saw the sign.
Honest.
We walked back into the town, down towards the river, over the bridge into Eton where I photographed some street art, a boathouse and a pub before we headed back over the river to look for a pub that had been recommended. We found it, had a beer and some Thai snacks before deciding the crowds were too thick now and we might like to go home.
Which is what we did.
5 minute wait at Windsor.
10 minute wait at Slough.
No wait for the tube at Paddington.
And 10 minutes at St Pancras.
Which meant we were home by half three, by which time Norwich had already lost 6-1 to Manchester City. The goal rush came in a short spell in the second half, apparently when Citeh scored with every attack. But up to that point City had matched them. Oh well, we still have 43 points and are all but safe.
And Saturday night we went to Folkestone to see the German Comedy Ambassador, Henning Wehn, perform at the Quarterhouse. As ever, he was funny, but too much exposure on radio and TV meant we had heard much of the material. But, it was mostly still funny, and it was a night out.
And so Sunday rolled round, and as we prepared to head out to the woods to photograph the bluebells in the early morning sunshine, I saw on a Flickr message board that they were so way from being at their peak. So, we put the kettle back on and had another cuppa, turned the heating up a couple of notches and chilled out.
Mid-morning Jools went out to Tesco and to pick Nan up as she was coming round for lunch (and dinner). I went on the cross-trainer and did another 40 minutes and so felt quite good after a nice refreshing shower. We all had rolls for lunch, and then Nan and I sat down to watch football on TV. Nan only likes sport, mainly tennis, but will watch football when there is no tennis on.
YAY.
So far, nothing really exciting happened. And that’s the way it really continued.
I cooked roast beef for dinner, which I have to say was quite good, although it was using a joint from Tesco which really shows they don’t know how to do everything. And we rounded off the day, once Jools had taken Nan back home, we sat down to watch Antiques Roadshow. It’s all rock and roll for us.
And so back to the working week.
On Tuesday, I got a migraine. At work. I say this as there really isn’t much use for a blinding headache at work. Well, I say headache, I got flashing lights in my vision, and concentration was impossible. It passed after an hour, but come back for second helpings at lunch. I worked through it, but my head felt very tender and so went home at two; took to my bead and was joined my Mulder once he realised that my appearance wasn’t going to lead to his bowl being filled with nice fresh food.
And the football season is reaching its climax. Or building to its climax. If we were to listen to the commentators, and with each passing week the hyperbole building, it would be that by the beginning of May the future of the entire planet is at stake. It isn’t, but it is exciting. No, really. As issues are settled with each passing match day, or at least in the Football League. It is the first leg of the Champions League this week, and last night Munich played Real Madrid; it was all tense stuff; so tense that players kept falling over holding their shins or knees. It seems that victory can only be obtained by cheating and getting members of the opposition booked and sent off. That both teams do this does not make it right. In all honesty, it didn’t matter who won, but seeing Mr Ronaldo’s scowl made a Munich victory almost enjoyable. Tonight Chelski play Barca, and it should be tense but interesting too.
Other than that, despite there being an official drought in South-East England, it has rained every day for a week, with more heavy rain due to come this week and over the weekend. Such is life……
No comments:
Post a Comment