I had to leave Hayes and Harlington about 7:30am to make it to Victoria station in time to catch my big bus tour, and it was overcast and windy, but dry when I set out. I did indeed bring my raincoat stashed in my backpack.

I found the bus no probs and luckily chose a seat in a row where the second seat was broken, so I didn't have to contend with a seatmate during the entire day. There was a group of about 10 Canadians sitting around me, and we chatted some.

We started on time, heading out for our first stop, Windsor. Flags flying indicated The Queen was in residence that day.

While waiting in line I made acquaintance with Marcus, a German guy about my age who had spent his entire 10 days in London eating at McDonald's to save money. I also chatted up an Italian couple with whom I was able to parle un poco. "Scorso anno ho abitato a Milano. Sono una insegnante Inglese."

I toured the apartments, and made it back to the gate to see a) the changing of the guards; b) the beginning of the rain.

Nary a Royal spotted during my time in Windsor.