Shiver Me Timbre(s)!

Astounding but true.

Hubs and I LOVE the way the Prince of Wales speaks. Yes, I do mean HRH Prince Charles, the Heir Apparent, husband to CPB, father to Wills & Harry, The Royal who advocates talking to flora etc etc etc.

And now, I'd like to give you all a moment to gawp like freshly caught fish.

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Done?

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As we explored the grounds at Windsor Castle on Saturday, we found ourselves unexpectedly 'seduced' by HRH's crisp, private school influenced, ultra-polished, Queen's English- accented voice through our hand-held audio guides. So beguiled were we that we actually replayed his segment twice. Ok, thrice, but who's counting?

I think neither of us remembers what he rattled on about. He was waxing lyrical about something. What was it? The splendid tapestry hanging in the staterooms? The proud history of the castle?

I don't remember! All that comes to mind is the rich timbre of his voice, the beautiful way he enunciated his words... *sigh*

Oh. Help. Me. God.

Now here's another man who's been equally successful - if not more - in bowling us over with his verbal delivery - Simon Woods. He played the v dishy Dr Harrison in BBC's successful adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Cranford'. This man's elocution is oh-my-gawd-I-can't-even-say-it -- pure, molten chocolate. Rich, smooth, utterly irresistible. *swoon*

Please, allow me to convince:

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In related news, we've done it. We've visited every royal castle in London. Windsor's the last.

The Sun wasn't in its most cooperative mood that day but we went ahead anyway. We weren't going to let a little weather blip scupper our plans, come hell or high water!

We weren't particularly impressed with the Queen's actual residence though I suspect it was a case of 'you've seen one, you've seen them all'. Cheeks did enjoy Queen Mary's Dolls' House though. The lavish opulence of the Doll House was dumbfounding. Besides the meticulously crafted furnishings and ornaments, the Doll House is equipped with electrical lights and plumbing - hot and cold water run in all the bathrooms!

There was a strong sense of déjà vu as I traipsed over the cobbled pavements. I watched Cheeks quietly listening to her special audio guide and marvelled how much she's grown. Before, she was a mere tag-along. Now she's an active participant who's able to follow the audio guide and walk through staterooms and galleries without too much complaint.

Anyway, here's a look at us - then and now. Our 1st palace visit (Tower of London) and our last (Windsor Castle).

Same people. Same jackets (me and Papa! totally unpremeditated!). Same photo taken with guard wearing bearskin headgear. But how we've all grown... in big and small ways. :)

Tower of London Sept 2006

Windsor Castle June 2008