This is the triumphant return of "Pic Of The Week" after a bit of a hiatus...
This week's shot is of the Round Tower at Windsor Castle (and the gardens below). Windsor Castle is the residence of the Queen of England. Contrary to the assumption of most, the Queen does not live in Buckingham Palace - she lives in Windsor Castle, which is in the town of Windsor, west of London. I went there today.
In this shot you see the Round Tower in the upper left, and a steep, lush hillside in the rest. I liked looking at the bench in the bottom right and thinking the Queen might hang out there when she needs a break from her husband. The garden extends to the bottom of the hill, dispelling the notion that there's a moat around the place.
For a little history, William the Conqueror built the first castle there between 1070-1086 A.D. A dark factoid about the place: Queen Elizabeth left the outbreak of Bubonic Plague in London to go live in Windsor Castle in 1563. There she built gallows where she executed anyone visiting from London. Nice!
On a sweeter side, Windsor Castle houses an enormous dolls' house created for Queen Mary, who loved arts and miniatures. It has miniscule silver on the dining table made of real silver, teensie oil paintings created for her by top painters of her time, real tiny jewels to simulate the royal jewels - even working electricity and plumbing. Quite a site - better appreciated by adults than children.
ANYway, despite the gray and damp weather today - and the inability to use cameras inside - I managed to get a nice shot, I think. A 900-year-old castle and lush English gardens make for a great Pic Of The Week.
Oh - and yes, the Queen was in the castle during our visit today. She must have been in the shower or polishing her crown at the time because she didn't come over to say hello.
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