Windsor Castle

I peel out of the house Sunday morning with the kids in tow allowing Sonnet a run to work and a day of catching-up at her office. Lucky her, lucky me. We pick up the M4 and drive past Heathrow on our way to Windsor Castle. It is appropriately damp and white - no sunshine, no Sir. From Richmond it is an easy drive and our 10AM arrival gives us nearby parking and a head-start on the crowds - already there are Japanese everywhere taking videos of the squirrels and pigeons. Who knows why? On our way to the castle we pass McDonald's and both kids wake up to our historical adventure (in faith, we were here on Christmas Day several years ago with Katie and Moe but neither Shakespeare remembers accept, of course, the McDonald's). Finally we crest the hill and there she is: one huge pile of impenetrible rock. It is a legitimate castle and I explain how guardsmen poured boiling oil upon mauraders mounting the mote then spears threw their eyeballs. This gets small beer from the kids accept Madeleine who asks sweetly: "really, dad?" The castle dates back to the William the Conqueror or around 1022-1066 and is the oldest, continuous occupation in England - the Queen going there >once a month, I am told by the tickets guy. We know if Her Royalness is in residence by the flag on the highest mount - Union Jack, she ain't; Royal Windsor she be. Though Me Lady is not en-scène we practice our curtsies and English standard none-the-less. Pip pip!

"As yesterday's positive report card shows, childrens (sic) do learn when standards are high and results are measured."
W., on the No Child Left Behind Act, Washington, D.C., Sept. 26, 2007