Saturday 28th July 2007 Windsor Runneymede The final day of the program arrives and it is clear that one or two are quite tired and thoughts of home are now on the horizon. Our last trip out takes us to Windsor, not too far from Charterhouse and a truly inspiring place to end the 2007 tour. Windsor Castle is the primary residence of the Queen and the castle is a treasure of objects and architecture. The State Appartments are used to entertain dignitaries from around the world. The castle was begun, like so many of the places we've been to, by William the Conqueror, who had a motte and bailey fortification built here. The castle has been the preferred residence for many royals and it was George IV who turned the castle into the building we see today. St George's Chapel is the chapel that the Royal Family use and is the final resting place for many monarchs including Henry VIII. After a look around the castle many of us head into the town for a final look at an English High Street and spend some of the last few pennies left. Our scheduled boat trip down the Thames to Runneymede has been cancelled because of the high river levels so we have to assemble at the coach park to be driven to Runneymede instead. It is a shame that the river cruise is not an option because it has always been a great way to end the ISCA program. Runneymede is the site of the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 by King John and the Barons. The Magna Carta is the basis for many democratic constitutions and so this is an important place in history. We walk up to the monument to the great charter and then onto the John F Kennedy Memorial. This was a memorial placed here by the British government to mark the contribution Kennedy made to democracy before his assassination. The acre of land on which the memorial sits is gifted to the United States. Back onto the coach and to Charterhouse. After packing and checking rooms everyone assembles for the final barbecue and dance. There are some tears as the farewells begin! It has been a great program and the students have been fantastic. Faculty and students have all come together to make ISCA 2007 one of the best.
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