Day 1- Windsor

I wanted to try and journal about our time in England. This was such a special trip for us as a family. It was a breath of fresh air. We needed this time away together more than any of us realized. It was really a time for us to reconnect to one another.
I don't ever want to forget it.
I find it hard to journal like this in an interesting way. I think I sort of lose alot of the little things that make a trip fun to hear about, but I really hope that it will be somewhat interesting to read!!

We all sailed through the airports on both sides of the pond. No hitches. Lines moving fast. Luggage in tact and accounted for. In fact, we got through so quickly at Heathrowe that we were ready to pick up our rental car 2 hours before we thought that we would! Below, you see two sleepy-eyed kids waiting outside Heathrowe airport for the car rental shuttle to take us to pick up our car.

Thankfully, they had the car ready to go and we were on the road to Windsor. We rented a Vauxhall like the one below only it was black. A far cry from the suburban, but we all fit, and so did our luggage. When we arrived in Windsor, we went to straight to our hotel. It was really a cross between a bed and breakfast and a hotel. But they were so nice, and let us check right in. We were so thankful, because we all crashing from jet lag right about then. We crawled to our rooms and slept for about 4 hours. We stopped off at a tea room for a quick lunch of toastys (toasted sandwiches) and creamed tea. (woo-hoo!)Then it was off for some sight seeing. There is far more to do in Windsor than just visit the castle, but we were basicly using this as an overnight stop on the way to the North. Here you see Queen Victoria's stern face looking down on you from the street in front of the castle.

Savannah, myself, and Queen Victoria.

I took alot of random photos in and around Windsor, but most of them have Race in them.(And you know the rules!) Below is The Long Walk, just outside the castle. We ate dinner that night at the Horse and Groom. An awesome pub right outside the castle. The kids all had fish and chips and Race and I had steak and mushroom pies along with all the Strongbow we could handle from the tap.

Inside the Horse and Groom. (Jackson actually took this picture!) It was here that we found out that our youngest is really like a kid on crack while struggling with jet lag. He was making all sorts of random senseless comments, and just generally being extremely excitable and loud. But what REALLY made the night was that after finishing off his HUGE plate of fish and chips that he let out a giant, rip roaring belch that shook the foundations of the old Horse and Groom. OH.MY.GOSH. We were in the land of good manners, people. We tried to reprimand, but we all just ended up losing it and laughing our heads off.

After more walking and fresh air all around the town, we headed back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

This is the lovely little dining room where we ate breakfast the next morning. (We sat on the far right next to the window, looking out onto a really charming patio outside. Breakfast was delicious with cereal, fresh fruit, and then a hot plate of sunny side up eggs, baked beans, sausage and toast. I ate every bite, and washed it down with hot coffee and juice.This is a picture of part of the little patio outside. Really pretty.

After breakfast we loaded up in our car and headed north for our next stop on the way to our final destination: The Lake District.

I'll tell you all about our time in York, next.

Cheers!

Melissa