FOT 2013 Pictures posted

We have uploaded our feast pictures enjoy - http://www.judeone.net/p/photos.html

Visit to Windsor Castle

Today we took a trip to Windsor which according to the official website - http://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/windsor-castle-p43983 "Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years"

We arrived after a 1h 40min drive which was only about 35 miles but traffic in London is heavy (you can also take a train and the station is right in the town). We made it just in time to catch the march of the changing of the guard through the town to the castle. Here is a video of the procession.

The castle is massive and you can take a tour inside for 25 pounds. We didn't have time for that on this trip but will plan on it next time.
 

Armed guards at the Castle

Statue of Queen Victoria in front of the castle

Victoria Barracks down the street from the castle

The town is small and has a lot of residential areas. If you think you'd like to live there - there's an idea of the real estate prices in a real estate agents office window below.

The local pub

Of course there are lots of tourist shops and a museum in the town.

I thought this restaurant was interestingly named!

There is also a canal ride that you can take at the lower end of the town. Eton school is close by too. We've lots more to see on our next trip!

London Life - Part 1

So I am back home where I grew up and lived for about 33 years. I hadn't really missed it in 14 years in the USA but now I am here I am enjoying it immensely and remembering the things I do miss. It also makes me appreciate Augusta, GA for the space, weather and friendly people.  Here's a brief tour of what London is like to live in.

Where is Lewisham? It's in South East of London considered Greater London meaning it's not in the center of London but an area about 15 mins train ride away.

 

London is very populated hence living space is at a premium and since I was last here there have been many more apartments built. Houses tend to be "terraced" or what Americans call "row" house. The streets are narrow and with parked cars on both sides of the road many streets give you just enough room for one car to drive by. Gas is

£1.36 a litre which is over $7 a gallon!

There are a lot of these micro cars on the road understandably

Space is tight for parking (the house is on a main road)

 

I rekindled my stick driving skills!

Public transport is very developed in a network of buses and trains and underground so it is actually easy to get around without a car.

 Buying last minute needed items is easy as there is a "corner" store close to every house - little grocery stores.

British money is an colorful array of notes and coins (not pictured 5GBP note)

 Shopping in the main part of town is fun at the open-air market which is available 6 days a week. There is also an American-style indoor mall right in front of these stalls.

 Fish and chips is a standard fast food favorite and those shops are also on every high street. You can see one above behind the stall "Something Fishy".

Entrance to the Mall is under the blue sign.

Here's the center of a neighboring town called Catford - notice the Cat above the shopping center entrance

The main supermarkets here are Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda. Lidl is also a chain similar to Aldi.

Beef sausages are much easier to come by than in the USA.

I was surprised to find that groceries tend to be quite a bit cheaper in the supermarkets than in the Augusta.

Maybe we are paying for the clerk to pack our bags - here you do it yourself!