While in England we visited Windsor Castle, the Queen's official residence. Windsor is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world...built over 900 years ago. We toured the state apartments and saw the changing of the guard while we were there. Exploring the beautiful St. George's Chapel and the quaint town of Windsor will have to wait for the next visit!
Back in London, the Queen lives not in a castle but Buckingham Palace. The day we visited we picnicked on the green across from the palace and watched as invited guests decked out in war medals (the men) and hats (the women:) arrived for an afternoon reception with the Queen.
Speaking of castles...this is a model of the medieval Castle Louvre built by King Phillip Augustus in 1190. Today the Louvre is a museum and home of the Mona Lisa
While in England we also visited Oxford. The University is comprised of 38 colleges (Exeter, Christ Church, St. Anne's, The Queen's College, Trinity, etc). Each college is responsible for curriculum, lectures, libraries, dormitories, dining halls, etc. When a student graduates the degree states the college's name and "of Oxford University."
There are lots of fascinating stories associated with Oxford but with the opening of the final Harry Potter movie the guide showed us the ties between Harry Potter and Oxford...
Stone masons back in the day marked their work as on this stone...this was the inspiration for the scar on Harry's forehead
The talking heads at Hogwarts came from these at Oxford...unfortunately we couldn't get these to talk;)
These are actual pictures of the fictitious Hogwarts...could be Oxford!
Our day spent out of London exploring Windsor and Oxford was one of our favorites of this trip...and now we were really excited to go see Harry Potter at the Odeon Theatre!
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