Sometime in late 2006 or early 2007, our daughter Cathy was promoted to be Marketing Manger for Brown Brothers Winery in their London office. A wonderful promotion.
Brown Brothers provided her with a car and a small, comfortable flat in Windsor some 200 odd metres from Windsor Castle. After several months, though, she found that she was missing the company of mum and dad and her many Australian friends. She was home-sick!
Bernadette and I decided on an overseas holiday and to spend some time with Cathy in England. Her hours were flexible and she was entitled to some time off.
Consequently, early in September, Cathy picked us up from Heathrow airport and we settled in with her in Windsor.
And so we immediately commenced touring. During the first week we went to Oxford, inspected the University and surrounds, Keble College and other colleges. We had a very knowledgeable 'old student' who guided us.
Then we had a lazy few days spent in the Alexander Gardens in Windsor; then the Royal Windsor Wheel, a Ferris wheel overlooking Windsor, Eton and, of course, Windsor Castle. The annual Windsor Festival was in full swing, with the Union Jack and festival flags prominent.
Cathy had arranged a several day tour of Paris and Barcelona and so we travelled in a train under the English Channel as far as Paris. She had booked us into a small hotel right by the Arc de Triomphe. We went on a tour of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre (Mona Lisa, Da Vinci, Michael Angelo), the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Hotel Des Invalides where Napoleon's coffin lies, the Chatteau de Versailles. We were the real tourists.
After four days we flew to Barcelona where we encountered language difficulties, particularly when ordering meals. However, our accommodation was magnificent, with a balcony overlooking the square of the Placa de Tetuan.
We saw much of Gaudi's architectural work which was incredible. Then the La Sagrada Familia Basilica. Scaffolding everywhere. Work had been in progress for about 110 years. It was the most magnificent edifice I have ever seen. (Still expected to be decades from completion at that time, it has recently been announced that it will be completed in 2026.) We then wandered through the Pablo Picasso Museum and were suitably impressed.
Then a flight back to London where we relaxed for some time.
We explored the shopping centres of Windsor and then purchased God knows how many presents for our grandchildren at home. We also regularly strolled down the prominent drive that approached the Windsor Castle entry, as is generally seen on any Windsor Castle publicity. We entered the Castle grounds, witnessed the changing of the guards and had an inspection of the Castle itself. Very impressive!
Now we were ready for a tour of Northern Ireland.
On landing in Dublin, we took possession of a hire car and headed for Belfast. There we lunched at the Crown Liquor Saloon, a renowned old Irish pub.
Then to Portrush where we stayed in, as Cathy called it, "a cute little B & B". Next, onto the Giant's Causeway where we settled for a 4 km walk. (We were a lot fitter in those days).
Londonderry, or Derry as it is popularly known, was our next call. We saw the Monument to Bloody Sunday and many wall paintings. I felt uncomfortably aware of the atrocities of the IRA.
At Armagh, we had a look at the St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral which is built on the site of Saint Patrick's original stone church. We were given a private tour.
And finally, back to Dublin, and in turn, Windsor.
So ended a MEMORABLE HOLIDAY.
Whilst so far away from home in Benalla, Australia, we took advantage of a Trafalgar Tour of Scandinavia and St Petersburg. There, for the first time ever, we were privileged to witness the professional ballet, Swan Lake. But that is for another time...
Ray O'Shannessy
10 April 2024
Brown Brothers provided her with a car and a small, comfortable flat in Windsor some 200 odd metres from Windsor Castle. After several months, though, she found that she was missing the company of mum and dad and her many Australian friends. She was home-sick!
Bernadette and I decided on an overseas holiday and to spend some time with Cathy in England. Her hours were flexible and she was entitled to some time off.
Consequently, early in September, Cathy picked us up from Heathrow airport and we settled in with her in Windsor.
And so we immediately commenced touring. During the first week we went to Oxford, inspected the University and surrounds, Keble College and other colleges. We had a very knowledgeable 'old student' who guided us.
Then we had a lazy few days spent in the Alexander Gardens in Windsor; then the Royal Windsor Wheel, a Ferris wheel overlooking Windsor, Eton and, of course, Windsor Castle. The annual Windsor Festival was in full swing, with the Union Jack and festival flags prominent.
Cathy had arranged a several day tour of Paris and Barcelona and so we travelled in a train under the English Channel as far as Paris. She had booked us into a small hotel right by the Arc de Triomphe. We went on a tour of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre (Mona Lisa, Da Vinci, Michael Angelo), the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Hotel Des Invalides where Napoleon's coffin lies, the Chatteau de Versailles. We were the real tourists.
After four days we flew to Barcelona where we encountered language difficulties, particularly when ordering meals. However, our accommodation was magnificent, with a balcony overlooking the square of the Placa de Tetuan.
We saw much of Gaudi's architectural work which was incredible. Then the La Sagrada Familia Basilica. Scaffolding everywhere. Work had been in progress for about 110 years. It was the most magnificent edifice I have ever seen. (Still expected to be decades from completion at that time, it has recently been announced that it will be completed in 2026.) We then wandered through the Pablo Picasso Museum and were suitably impressed.
Then a flight back to London where we relaxed for some time.
We explored the shopping centres of Windsor and then purchased God knows how many presents for our grandchildren at home. We also regularly strolled down the prominent drive that approached the Windsor Castle entry, as is generally seen on any Windsor Castle publicity. We entered the Castle grounds, witnessed the changing of the guards and had an inspection of the Castle itself. Very impressive!
Now we were ready for a tour of Northern Ireland.
On landing in Dublin, we took possession of a hire car and headed for Belfast. There we lunched at the Crown Liquor Saloon, a renowned old Irish pub.
Then to Portrush where we stayed in, as Cathy called it, "a cute little B & B". Next, onto the Giant's Causeway where we settled for a 4 km walk. (We were a lot fitter in those days).
Londonderry, or Derry as it is popularly known, was our next call. We saw the Monument to Bloody Sunday and many wall paintings. I felt uncomfortably aware of the atrocities of the IRA.
At Armagh, we had a look at the St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral which is built on the site of Saint Patrick's original stone church. We were given a private tour.
And finally, back to Dublin, and in turn, Windsor.
So ended a MEMORABLE HOLIDAY.
Whilst so far away from home in Benalla, Australia, we took advantage of a Trafalgar Tour of Scandinavia and St Petersburg. There, for the first time ever, we were privileged to witness the professional ballet, Swan Lake. But that is for another time...
Ray O'Shannessy
10 April 2024
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