Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle

Yesterday, the HUE group, Reagan and Sara, and several families made one of our best trips away from London. I really enjoy seeing Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Palace, and it makes it special when both are decorated for Christmas. There is just something about being in England at Christmas time. Unfortunately, it rained on us the entire day.

We began at Hampton Court Palace. I warned everyone to do the maze first so that they wouldn't miss the bus because they couldn't find their way out. It truly is a complicated maze and Ian just loves it. After an initial shock of losing Ian on the grounds, we made it in (and out) and did the "Dan Tullos tour" (at a dead run) of Hampton Court Palace. The kitchens are probably the most impressive section to visit because it shows what would been going on during the preparation of a feast for Henry VIII. There was even a demonstration about how they built a fire from a spark. Ian was enthralled.

From Hampton Court we headed through Runnymead to Windsor Castle. Unfortunately, there is little to see there but I wanted everyone to see the large field where King John signed the Magna Carta.

We turned everyone loose for a late lunch in Windsor and met back for admission to the Castle. Unfortunately, they didn't tell us, when we called and notified them that we were coming, that the State Rooms all closed at 3:30 and the grounds closed at 4:00. Of course that is dark now that the time has changed. Again, we did the "Dan Tullos tour" and took it all in. Ian was fascinated with the weapons room and could have spent the entire day there. We made it through and headed out into the town for an hour before our bus (excuse me, it should be called a coach) left. It was all decorated for Christmas and the bells from St. George's Chapel were ringing. After they rang for an hour we realized that we were at Windsor on the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. It was fun to be there at that special time. Of course, HRH and Prince Philip were already away in Malta.