A day in Windsor

Early morning start. One of the many such planters in Windsor. There are also so many hanging from lamp posts. Makes the town so bright and cheerful.

The Round Tower at Windsor Castle, the Queens weekend home. Union Jack aflutter showing that she is not in residence. She is at Balmoral for the Summer which is the crown's traditional Summer home.

Part of the castle where the queen lives.

The major quadrangle where the queen greets the visiting dignitaries. Immaculte lawns and gravel driveway.

Part of the Queens gardens in the old moat at Windsor.

Another part of the garden near to the principle entrance.

Entrance to the quadrangle at the sie entrance to the castle.

The entrance portico where the Queen enters and where all dignitaries enter.

Statue near the main entrance. Guard in the background left. I watched the changing of the guard the previous day. Forgot my camera, so have them on my Blackberry!

Look at this immaculate lawn! It is like a pluch carpet.

Walking down from the castle to domestic quarters and the chapel which is under restoration.

Could not resist. Jaguar Shooting Brake beloning to ???? at the castle.

New 'Gargoyles' for the chapel as the Victorian ones have crumbled.

Beautiful domestic accommodation in a Tudor style I believe.

One of the many, many tombs in the chapel. Beautifully decorated in a side chapel.

Another of the side chapels in the Windsor chapel of the Queen. I lit a candle here for David.

This poor guard had just put up with a mother and small daughter taking a selfie with him in it and she twice bumped him as she fiddled with her camera and the child kicked him and no word of apology from the mother! Just saying.

A view looking up towards the chapel and castle.

Part of the town of Windsor just outside the castle.

Browns Pub where the first 'Beers with the Old Boys' was to take place. Magic place.

The Quenns Swans as I sat eating my Bacon, Eggs, Beans, Sausage and Tomato. Next time Fish and Chips!

View from the High Street up at the castle.

Does this not look a bit familiar?

The old train station, now a pedestrian food mall. Superb eateris and coffee shops and restaurants and a very small train station way in the back now.

The Windsor High Street Chapel. I lit a candle here for David.

The Town Hall where William and Catherine had a reseption after their wedding.

Had to take this one too. An Audi RS 6. Looks pretty brutal and sinister. Love to drive it.

One of the many very nice pubs in Windsor. This one near the gate of the Long Walk.

The start of the Long Walk at Windsor Castle. It is 2.5 miles long to the Copper Horseman. I walked it yesterday and today.

The long walk towards the Copper Horseman on the Long Walk. Beautiful statue of the Copper Horseman at the end. Can you see it? Well I walked there to see it and on the first tiem got lost after turning left instead of right and had to take a taxi who robbed me by driving all the way around Windsor to Gwens house instead of just straight! Sucker.

The Queens corn field. It is a mile long!

One of the Queens magnificent set of three bulls. They are HUGE! Would not want to meet them close up in that field.

First in the row of many of the Queens farm staff cottages. So quaint.

Second of the Queens cottages in the road I walked adjacent to the Long Walk. The Crown has truly extensive farmlands and a massive deer park at Windsor. Also an amazing area of woodlands which goes on for miles and miles.

Back on the Long Walk.

At last. The Copper Horseman. Now only 2 miles left to go!

Some old growth Chestnut trees neatly trimmed along the bottom by the Queens Deer herd.

A look up into the forest where a massive flock of parrots lives. They were released by a film company after making a movie and they have thrived inspite of the terrible winters. They released 200! Now there are more.

And down through the Deer Park towards the town of Windsor. Boy did I really walk that far? And another mile to go.

A truly ancient Oak tree with a strap around the massive trunk to keep it in one piece as the centre is rotten. Just like the ones that were in the SACS Majot Quad, but here they won't fall on anyone. Many have fallen in the forest here. Sad.

One of the Queens villages in Windsor Park for her farm workers.

Sneaky shot into one of the Queen's farmyards. All pretty immaculate. She makes sure that her farms are neat, tidy, efficient and organic. There is a big Farm stall selling product from her estates. I have yet to go there, but I will.
The journey continues.

A week at home with family, friends, my boys and getting sorted for the next part and 2015.

Home again and Muizenberg on a partly cloudy day. I was able to drive around as both Andy and Luke gave me their cars to use while I was home as mine has a 'dead' engine. Ford wanted R45 000 to 'repair' the engine. Silverton doing the same job for R19 000 or less depending on which parts actually need replacing.

Saying goodbye to Aidanin a Coffee shop in Kalk Bay as he starts his own journey by bus, train, hitch hiking through South America. Let hos journey continue.

The happy trio.

James and Chrsitian at the City Hall just before the SACS, Rustenberg, Rondebosch  Carmina Burana Concert.

Massed choirs from the three schools with soloists in front.

Quick lunch at Barristers nd catch-up chat with Chris Botha

Tea with happy Darren Swanepoel at Besar in Loop Street where we met up with his dad too. Great chats together. One of my first 'Bali Boyz" and now addicted to Bali like me and so many other of my Bali Boyz.

A shot of the new classroom block at SACS

Aother view near where my original vegetable garden used to be looking toward the Spencer Smith Field.

The new Memorial Tree for David Duckitt to replace the mini Cyprus trees that became major and scraggly. Thanks to Alan and Barry Dawson.

Inside one of the eight new classrooms. Spick and span and ready for benches and more of my boys and the new guys.

Profiling the old vegetable garden for the new garden and parking space.

Finishing touches to the stairs, sidewalk and 'Loffelstein' embankment.

Part of the gardens that I planted that is looking good.

A 'side view of the newly planted Cycad garden in front of the Hofmeur Memorial Hall. Thanks to Alan Dawson. I will tend to it in my dotage when I return.

Marcus, Brendan and I at the Rocky Horor Show at the Fugard. Brendan sure gave me stick during the show as did Terrence Bridgett. Love tham both. So very good to spend time with Marcus and his family.

Just caught my eye!

Instruments and GPS system for my speedometer for the 1949 Frod. Yay!

Hockey on the Astro at SACS vs Bishops. Waht a perfect day it was.

Mr. Swingler after a Hockey Ball imprinted itself on his forhead, shwoing divets from the ball and all.

6th XV warm-up at Bishops on Saturday 8th August.

Three of the Muskateers; Anton, Jono amd I.

Now four including Matt. Enjoyable evening at the Fields.

Getting ready to plant Tomatoes and Swiss Chard at Michael and Madelaine, my brother and sister-in-law's home.

Breakfast at the Empire Cafe in Muizenberg with Liz and Ian Linsell.

View from the Empire of Muizenberg beachfront.

Warm-up for the Eisteddfod Winners Concert at WBJS.

Mike Campbell conducting the SACS Jazz Band.

Tomatoes in bottomless pots to protect them. I also put in some good soil.

Tessa the Chocolate Lab.

My adorable Daisy the miniature Long-haired Dachshund. She loooves chasing her special Tanzanian Mountain Balls. No other. I managed to find 4 on Amazon while I was in the USA. Only Red, Green and maybe Black ones!

Leaving on a jet plane. The huge double-decker Airbus. Brand new and awesome.
My Borther Michael and my siter-in-law Madelaine were so amazing to look after me and let me use their home as a base to try to see as many people as possible, get my Fiesta sorted, get my UK visa, try to sort out Medical payments by the pension fund and look for a teaching position for 2015. Many emails to go out for that. I want to, need to teach!

 I am now in Winkfield near Windsor England near the Queen with Gwen. I am trying to co-ordinate all my Old Boys for drinks, breakfast, lunch, supper and nights to stay. Have a cell phone too. A little dumb one, a real cheapie that works! The journey continues.