tahariel | Feb. 5th, 2006

My Aunt came to visit Friday through to today (she's gone now), so yesterday we went to see Windsor Castle, walking around and seeing all the beautiful things. (She lives in Yorkshire, so she'd never been to anything like that, as far as I know.) It's amazing to hear the history of all the things - what I refer to as 'the stuff we nicked' - because it comes from all over the place, a lot of it from countries we conquered. Like an enormous, life-size tiger head made of gold with rock crystal eyes and fangs that we took from some Indian ruler, I think. They even have the bullet that killed Lord Nelson. Even the parts they've restored are really breathtaking. That's what the Americans can't do, though they try to copy the pomp and splendour of our traditions - they can't make it imposing but not overgaudy, or plain silly. Our traditions are hundreds of years old, they've grown by themselves. You can't make that stuff up overnight.

You should all be receiving an email inviting you to my birthday party. btw :)

Did some writing!