Today is a travel day. One of the many to come were we spend the entire day on the coach. I didn't want to pack up, I had got use to Paris and could definitely have spent more time here. This is definitely somewhere I would like to come back too.
The countryside goes past, sometimes I look out and sometimes I read, lots of people sleep. It becomes a long day, although I expect we'll all get use to it, if not well, I don't know.
We shop about every three hours for toliets, drinks and food which I imagine could be quite expensive, so we're trying to only have a coffee at none lunch stops. We also stopped at a supermarket, so we brought some wine, very cheap (E0.97) (Don't know how good it will be). Also brought some cheese.
We stopped at a Chateau that Contiki owns, and was taken through the wine process. Its still very manual here, even the picking is done by hand. The grape vines are very low to the ground. And there are paddocks and paddocks of them. It makes the countryside look so beautiful.
The wine was very interesting, not really one would drink, but the bottle is etched, so we brought one. It will be nice to have that with dinner, it might be nicer with a meal.
It was nice to walk along a french country road, and look around. We didn't have very much time here, but the vinter's family have lived here in the same house for close to 400 years, that quite a legacy.
We then moved onto the campsite near Lyon unpacked and set up camp. We're only here for one night, this is really a pain, but that's life.
The cooks cooked dinner (Rowan was a cook) and then basically Row and I went to bed. I was tired after the long trip and we had to get up early this morning. Its time for sleep tomorrow we move onto Barcelona Spain.
R&M
Friday, September 7, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Contiki Day 3 - Paris
Still catching up on all the days we've been out ... currently in Nice and its a gorgeous day. Anyway talking about Paris.
Today we have a free day in Paris. We also had to try out public transport as our bus driver was given the day off. Contiki gave us train tickets into Paris and back out again so this was all good.
We jumped on the bus at about 8am in the morning bound for Paris, the bus ride was short and soon enough we were at the train station trying to figure out which train to take. Luckily there were only two ways to go, either away from Paris or towards Paris so it wasn't that hard to pick the right train.
Once in Paris we headed for Notre Dame. It had taken about an hour to get into town and then about 3/4 hr to walk to Notre Dame, so by now it was 9.30. We walked into Notre Dame as it was free to look around. It was amazing to look around and view inside a famous building. It was truely amazing... I know I'm saying that alot, but things truely are.
We spent around about 3/4 hr looking around the cathedral, then the decided to go up to the top. This cost us about 14 Euro. But the views of the city were great. Row remembers that there were about 422 stairs or around about that. They were very small and wound around a column, it was also raining and the stairs were made of stone so they were slippery.
After taking lots of photos, we climbed down and got lunch. Instead of taking public transport we decided to walk to where Napolean is buried. This took a bit of navigation, which I had worked out. Except after walking part of the way there, Row told me that the place I was going to was not where Napolean was buried, so then I got us very lost and a lovely French couple who spoke english stopped and helped us. So finally on our way in the right direction, then it absolutely poured with rain. Now I mean bucketed down, we got drenched. But we decided we could either stop and wait for it to stop, or continue as we were already wet. So we did just that.
Finally we got there, and luckily were wearing clothes that dried out pretty quickly, well except my shoes, Row was wearing jandels so he was alright. The good thing about the weather was that there were no queues. Went and had a look at the tomb. Aparently Napolean II was very full of himself and to look at his tomb you either look down from the second storey or look up from the ground floor.
Rowan wanted to go and have a look in the Museum for world war I and II. I didn't really care much for this part, so i watched a few videos and had a look around. Row says it wasn't worth going in. The NZ ones are far better (Waiuru).
By this time we had dried out, which was good except that it had started raining again. We brought an umbrella, which was a blessing. We wondered down the Champs-Elysees, which is the place to shop. We stopped in at a supermarket and got some food for lunch the next day. We also got a bottle of gin and wine.
We were then going to walk back to the Place de la Concorde to take photos, but it was too wet. So we decided to find the nearest train station and train back to the camp site. By now it was 5.30pm. We were going to go to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, but decided that when we come back, we'll spend a day wondering around, and give it the time it deserves.
The closest train station was next to the Arc de Triomphe so we took some photos and then jumped on the next train. It was easy to find our way back, except our tickets didn't work on the bus, so we ignored the fact (as they were suppose to work) and got on the bus.
Back at camp it was still raining... but we did get back in time for dinner which was good. After dinner it was down to the bar (taking our own drinks) for a brew and then back to the tent to pack our packs and get ready for the drive tomorrow.
It was definitely fun walking around Paris, finding our own way around, but the night tour the other day definitely gave us a good idea of where things were and made it easier.
All in all, we could definitely have spent a week here in Paris.
Hope everyone is doing well, and working hard. We're both thinking of you. Lots of love
R&M
Today we have a free day in Paris. We also had to try out public transport as our bus driver was given the day off. Contiki gave us train tickets into Paris and back out again so this was all good.
We jumped on the bus at about 8am in the morning bound for Paris, the bus ride was short and soon enough we were at the train station trying to figure out which train to take. Luckily there were only two ways to go, either away from Paris or towards Paris so it wasn't that hard to pick the right train.
Once in Paris we headed for Notre Dame. It had taken about an hour to get into town and then about 3/4 hr to walk to Notre Dame, so by now it was 9.30. We walked into Notre Dame as it was free to look around. It was amazing to look around and view inside a famous building. It was truely amazing... I know I'm saying that alot, but things truely are.
We spent around about 3/4 hr looking around the cathedral, then the decided to go up to the top. This cost us about 14 Euro. But the views of the city were great. Row remembers that there were about 422 stairs or around about that. They were very small and wound around a column, it was also raining and the stairs were made of stone so they were slippery.
After taking lots of photos, we climbed down and got lunch. Instead of taking public transport we decided to walk to where Napolean is buried. This took a bit of navigation, which I had worked out. Except after walking part of the way there, Row told me that the place I was going to was not where Napolean was buried, so then I got us very lost and a lovely French couple who spoke english stopped and helped us. So finally on our way in the right direction, then it absolutely poured with rain. Now I mean bucketed down, we got drenched. But we decided we could either stop and wait for it to stop, or continue as we were already wet. So we did just that.
Finally we got there, and luckily were wearing clothes that dried out pretty quickly, well except my shoes, Row was wearing jandels so he was alright. The good thing about the weather was that there were no queues. Went and had a look at the tomb. Aparently Napolean II was very full of himself and to look at his tomb you either look down from the second storey or look up from the ground floor.
Rowan wanted to go and have a look in the Museum for world war I and II. I didn't really care much for this part, so i watched a few videos and had a look around. Row says it wasn't worth going in. The NZ ones are far better (Waiuru).
By this time we had dried out, which was good except that it had started raining again. We brought an umbrella, which was a blessing. We wondered down the Champs-Elysees, which is the place to shop. We stopped in at a supermarket and got some food for lunch the next day. We also got a bottle of gin and wine.
We were then going to walk back to the Place de la Concorde to take photos, but it was too wet. So we decided to find the nearest train station and train back to the camp site. By now it was 5.30pm. We were going to go to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa, but decided that when we come back, we'll spend a day wondering around, and give it the time it deserves.
The closest train station was next to the Arc de Triomphe so we took some photos and then jumped on the next train. It was easy to find our way back, except our tickets didn't work on the bus, so we ignored the fact (as they were suppose to work) and got on the bus.
Back at camp it was still raining... but we did get back in time for dinner which was good. After dinner it was down to the bar (taking our own drinks) for a brew and then back to the tent to pack our packs and get ready for the drive tomorrow.
It was definitely fun walking around Paris, finding our own way around, but the night tour the other day definitely gave us a good idea of where things were and made it easier.
All in all, we could definitely have spent a week here in Paris.
Hope everyone is doing well, and working hard. We're both thinking of you. Lots of love
R&M
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Contiki Day 2 - Paris
Funny thing happened this morning... I woke up and we were in Paris!! Wow how cool is that. Niether Row or I were on breakfast duty, so it was off for a shower and dressed for brekkie. Damn good brekkie too. Everyone cleaned up and we got on the bus bound for the Cheateau de Versailles...
The funny thing was before we actually left camp a French tour group´s bus had got a flat battery so we tried to help them out... silly french were watching movies in the bus all night...
Anyway off to Versailles, it took about an hour from Paris, wow it was large and so was the queue to get in. Row and I waited in the queue for 1.5 hours, others decided to go in the exit and got in within minutes... I kinda wish I had too, but that´s life. We didn´t really get enough time inside the palace, but we got around all the rooms, it was only the last couple of rooms that we had to rush through to ensure we got back to the bus in time. The ceiling paintings were amazing, although the wall paintings weren´t as good as we´ve seen in England in my opinion, but that could be because I can follow the English Royalty, but not the French... I´m still really glad I went in.
Back on the bus at 3.30pm, heading back into Paris to the Effil Tower. Didn´t have to wait long, but we went up the stairs, not the lift. You could only walk up to the 2nd level viewing platform (about 600+ stairs)... Amazing views. We then paid to go up to the very top. It was a long way up, but the views were so amazing. I´m so pleased we went right to the top, you´ll be able to see pictures when we post them, we can´t do that from this cafe unfortunately. We took lots of photos and then came back down the lift to the 2nd viewing platform and then took the stairs down to the bottom which didn´t take half as long as going up. We brought an ice cream (Mr Whippy) at the bottom and then got on the bus to go to dinner.
We got changed in the Louvre carpark and walked up to dinner. Dinner was really nice, had some wine, Row had the duck and I had beef for dinner. After dinner we were picked up for a caberet show. Interesting, some of the girls did some of the dances topless, not that they had much to look at, but the tapeeze artist was amazing. Overall really glad we went.
Got back to camp about 1am, it was a great day in Paris, right now we´re both really glad we did this tour. Paris is amazing, well except for the queues.
The funny thing was before we actually left camp a French tour group´s bus had got a flat battery so we tried to help them out... silly french were watching movies in the bus all night...
Anyway off to Versailles, it took about an hour from Paris, wow it was large and so was the queue to get in. Row and I waited in the queue for 1.5 hours, others decided to go in the exit and got in within minutes... I kinda wish I had too, but that´s life. We didn´t really get enough time inside the palace, but we got around all the rooms, it was only the last couple of rooms that we had to rush through to ensure we got back to the bus in time. The ceiling paintings were amazing, although the wall paintings weren´t as good as we´ve seen in England in my opinion, but that could be because I can follow the English Royalty, but not the French... I´m still really glad I went in.
Back on the bus at 3.30pm, heading back into Paris to the Effil Tower. Didn´t have to wait long, but we went up the stairs, not the lift. You could only walk up to the 2nd level viewing platform (about 600+ stairs)... Amazing views. We then paid to go up to the very top. It was a long way up, but the views were so amazing. I´m so pleased we went right to the top, you´ll be able to see pictures when we post them, we can´t do that from this cafe unfortunately. We took lots of photos and then came back down the lift to the 2nd viewing platform and then took the stairs down to the bottom which didn´t take half as long as going up. We brought an ice cream (Mr Whippy) at the bottom and then got on the bus to go to dinner.
We got changed in the Louvre carpark and walked up to dinner. Dinner was really nice, had some wine, Row had the duck and I had beef for dinner. After dinner we were picked up for a caberet show. Interesting, some of the girls did some of the dances topless, not that they had much to look at, but the tapeeze artist was amazing. Overall really glad we went.
Got back to camp about 1am, it was a great day in Paris, right now we´re both really glad we did this tour. Paris is amazing, well except for the queues.
Contiki Day 1 - London to Paris
Finally after 6 days on the road I get to update the blog... read on
5am start this morning had to meet the rest of the tour at 6am for a 6.45am leaving time. It was hard getting up so early, but didn´t really sleep that much anyway.
We packed up and went down stairs checked out of the backpackers (cos it certainly wasn´t a hotel) and checked into Contiki. We actually didn´t get away till late, and we had a ferry to catch and rush hour traffic to get through. We have three contiki people on our bus, Renee (the tour manager), Chris (the driver) and Jelly (the cook).
The start of the trip was on a motorway to Dover. Where we would catch the ferry to Calis France. Row and I weren´t sitting together because we ended up being the last couple of people on the bus. But that was ok, we got to meet a couple of other people on the tour.
A couple of hours later we got to Dover and after going trough Customs, we boarded the ferry. We had lunch which included Beer, Vodka, Sandwich and a pastry. We did get some photos of the white cliffs of Dover. There are more of the white cliffs than I thought.
Row bought a bottle of Bowmore´s Whiskey, which is distilled on the same Island as Laphoaig (his favourite whiskey). Next stop FRANCE!!!
Got off the boat and started our journey to Paris. After a couple of hours on the bus we stopped at a service station to pee and get some food. We just brought a coke as we had already eaten. It was interesting trying to understand them. When buying the coke, we just looked at the amount and gave them the money, cos we couldn´t understand a word of what they were saying. The bathroom was another interesting aspect of France. No toliet seat. I figure I´ll get strong legs.
After the stop, we continued onto Paris. The countryside is very flat and at the moment the fields are either full of veges or have just been cut for what I imagine is hay or something similar. Although you notice your not in Kiwiland cos the street signs are not in english and the houses are different.
We made it to camp early afternoon, we were actually shown how to put up a tent. Honestly wouldn´t take a brain surgeon, but then after looking at some of the tents afterwards, you´d think so.
Before dinner we were introduced to snails. Yes they brought snails for each of us to try and also red bubbly wine. The wine was sweet and very nice, the snails well I managed to eat one. They taste like mussells, which i don´t like, but at least I can say I´ve had one.
After dinner we cleaned up and those on duty did the dishes and then we went into Paris for a night tour of the sights. Wasn´t really night as it was still light, but hey its all part of it.
The tour gave us a general idea of where things are, Effil Tower, Notre Dame, Napolean´s tomb, Museums, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe etc. The Arc de Triomphe is where 12 avenues join and there are NO rules on the round-a-bout. Well I think you have to give way to those getting onto the round about, but its madness really.
By the time we finished the tour it was 10pm, some people went to the Bar, but i was too tired. There is a whole nother day in Paris tomorrow...
5am start this morning had to meet the rest of the tour at 6am for a 6.45am leaving time. It was hard getting up so early, but didn´t really sleep that much anyway.
We packed up and went down stairs checked out of the backpackers (cos it certainly wasn´t a hotel) and checked into Contiki. We actually didn´t get away till late, and we had a ferry to catch and rush hour traffic to get through. We have three contiki people on our bus, Renee (the tour manager), Chris (the driver) and Jelly (the cook).
The start of the trip was on a motorway to Dover. Where we would catch the ferry to Calis France. Row and I weren´t sitting together because we ended up being the last couple of people on the bus. But that was ok, we got to meet a couple of other people on the tour.
A couple of hours later we got to Dover and after going trough Customs, we boarded the ferry. We had lunch which included Beer, Vodka, Sandwich and a pastry. We did get some photos of the white cliffs of Dover. There are more of the white cliffs than I thought.
Row bought a bottle of Bowmore´s Whiskey, which is distilled on the same Island as Laphoaig (his favourite whiskey). Next stop FRANCE!!!
Got off the boat and started our journey to Paris. After a couple of hours on the bus we stopped at a service station to pee and get some food. We just brought a coke as we had already eaten. It was interesting trying to understand them. When buying the coke, we just looked at the amount and gave them the money, cos we couldn´t understand a word of what they were saying. The bathroom was another interesting aspect of France. No toliet seat. I figure I´ll get strong legs.
After the stop, we continued onto Paris. The countryside is very flat and at the moment the fields are either full of veges or have just been cut for what I imagine is hay or something similar. Although you notice your not in Kiwiland cos the street signs are not in english and the houses are different.
We made it to camp early afternoon, we were actually shown how to put up a tent. Honestly wouldn´t take a brain surgeon, but then after looking at some of the tents afterwards, you´d think so.
Before dinner we were introduced to snails. Yes they brought snails for each of us to try and also red bubbly wine. The wine was sweet and very nice, the snails well I managed to eat one. They taste like mussells, which i don´t like, but at least I can say I´ve had one.
After dinner we cleaned up and those on duty did the dishes and then we went into Paris for a night tour of the sights. Wasn´t really night as it was still light, but hey its all part of it.
The tour gave us a general idea of where things are, Effil Tower, Notre Dame, Napolean´s tomb, Museums, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe etc. The Arc de Triomphe is where 12 avenues join and there are NO rules on the round-a-bout. Well I think you have to give way to those getting onto the round about, but its madness really.
By the time we finished the tour it was 10pm, some people went to the Bar, but i was too tired. There is a whole nother day in Paris tomorrow...
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Last Day in London
Well our time in London is coming to an end. We're staying at the royal national hotel, hotel ha laugh at that, its just a backpackers really. Still it will be our last night in a bed, the next 46 days will be spent in a tent... camping here we come...
We're not sure what the internet status is while we are on the road, so updates maybe day between new entries... but hey its worth the wait.
Madeleine dropped us into London after going out to brekkie this morning. We then went looking for the Royal Air Force Churcg which we finally found. We even found some of the crests of the RNZAF. Then onto Trafalgar Sq took some photos and came back to check in....
Now just waiting for the pre tour meeting before heading off to bed... got a long day starting early in the morning... but we are both looking forward to it.
Hope everyone is well, thinking of you all, having to go to work.
Lots of love R&M
We're not sure what the internet status is while we are on the road, so updates maybe day between new entries... but hey its worth the wait.
Madeleine dropped us into London after going out to brekkie this morning. We then went looking for the Royal Air Force Churcg which we finally found. We even found some of the crests of the RNZAF. Then onto Trafalgar Sq took some photos and came back to check in....
Now just waiting for the pre tour meeting before heading off to bed... got a long day starting early in the morning... but we are both looking forward to it.
Hope everyone is well, thinking of you all, having to go to work.
Lots of love R&M
Saturday, August 18, 2007
St Albans
We slept in today, didn't bother getting up till 9 as we didn't have far to travel today....
We headed out to St Albans, the sight of an ancient Roman City... the third largest in England. Not alot of it remains today, just the ruins of a theatre, and a few houses. The whole area has been dug over by Archiologists, and they've found quite abit of stuff, which is mostly housed in a museum near by. there was some quite interesting stuff, and it was interesting to see how they figure out what people did by the way their bones wore out. The other big thing was the floor of a large house, which was complete with Roman central heating.... basically a room with a fire in it, slightly lower level than the rooms to be heated, with tunnels going under the floor, and into vents going up the room pillers ( in the corner of the room) that then vented into the loft area of the roof.... the idea being that the hot air would heat the stone of the floors, then into the loft so as to reduce the amount of heat wasted... quite clever these romans....
From here it was onto St Albans Catherdral.... another massive stone building dating from ages ago (1st century).... but in this one you can easily see where alterations and repairs have been made.... one minute its mostly builders fill (broken up stone) with only the corners and occasionally a level line of bricks, to sections that are made of stone delibitely made for the job. On the inside this was again noticable in the archs, some where smooth arches in the Norman style, and some meet in a point in the old english style...
In St Albans itself is the "ye olde fighting cock" the "oldest" pub in england. Back in the day it was a meeting point for cock fighting, (hence the name) and even had a round arena room. We went in for a look, and its now setup as a dinner and beer type pub, but the interior is very cool... but not somewhere for taller people, the beams where only about 6ft high.... so even i had to duck to get under them....
From here we headed into the town of St Albans. It was market day which was quite cool, lots of stalls set up in the middle of the street, so we picked up some olives for me and some rasberrys for megan to snack on.... :D
And that was about the day... now where getting the boring things like washing sorted before we hit the road with contiki....
take it easy
R&M
We headed out to St Albans, the sight of an ancient Roman City... the third largest in England. Not alot of it remains today, just the ruins of a theatre, and a few houses. The whole area has been dug over by Archiologists, and they've found quite abit of stuff, which is mostly housed in a museum near by. there was some quite interesting stuff, and it was interesting to see how they figure out what people did by the way their bones wore out. The other big thing was the floor of a large house, which was complete with Roman central heating.... basically a room with a fire in it, slightly lower level than the rooms to be heated, with tunnels going under the floor, and into vents going up the room pillers ( in the corner of the room) that then vented into the loft area of the roof.... the idea being that the hot air would heat the stone of the floors, then into the loft so as to reduce the amount of heat wasted... quite clever these romans....
From here it was onto St Albans Catherdral.... another massive stone building dating from ages ago (1st century).... but in this one you can easily see where alterations and repairs have been made.... one minute its mostly builders fill (broken up stone) with only the corners and occasionally a level line of bricks, to sections that are made of stone delibitely made for the job. On the inside this was again noticable in the archs, some where smooth arches in the Norman style, and some meet in a point in the old english style...
In St Albans itself is the "ye olde fighting cock" the "oldest" pub in england. Back in the day it was a meeting point for cock fighting, (hence the name) and even had a round arena room. We went in for a look, and its now setup as a dinner and beer type pub, but the interior is very cool... but not somewhere for taller people, the beams where only about 6ft high.... so even i had to duck to get under them....
From here we headed into the town of St Albans. It was market day which was quite cool, lots of stalls set up in the middle of the street, so we picked up some olives for me and some rasberrys for megan to snack on.... :D
And that was about the day... now where getting the boring things like washing sorted before we hit the road with contiki....
take it easy
R&M
Friday, August 17, 2007
Leeds Castle - Kent England
Well Day what ever we're up too on our holiday started out with an early rise (7.45am ha) to ensure we got on the road at a decent time (just after the main rush hour about 9.30ish). Row and I rang Ian & June and Barb and got answer phones on both accounts it was quite funny.
What was funnier sort of, was we were literally just walking out the door when the phone rang and it was Ian and June. So Row got to speak to his parents for a while... But get this, Ian put the phone to Orion's (the dog) ear and Orion hung up on him, it was so funny. Probably not for Rowan as now I keep telling him that the dog has disowned him. Hopefully that isn't the case when we get home :)
Madeleine and Michael joined us today and we drove out to Leeds Castle in Kent. It actually took longer to drive to Stonehenge which is closer in distance. So we had a coffee before walking around the Castle grounds. They were so lovely. I want a garden that big, I know I said that in my last blog, but now I want a garden like Leeds Castle, with rivers and moats they are so cool.
The walk around the garden and through the duckery (Rowan was chomping at the bit to get his hands on a shotgun, but alas there were none in sight) and then around the waterways. It was very pleasant and relaxing. We got some awesome photos of the Castle from a distance. (have a look at http://picasaweb.google.com/JamoAndMegs ) We then wondered through an old Mill, which was very run down, in fact it had no roof, and no waterwheel, but again nice views out over the moat to the lawn gardens below.
Over the bridge across the moat, which I think I heard someone say that it use to be a draw bridge which would make sense, and into the Castle. This was anther splendid example of a Castle that truely looks like a Castle, and this one even had a moat. We wondered through the rooms of the Castle and were allowed to take pictures, I took some, but I'm getting use to not being allowed too. We brought the Guide book so I knew I had all the major art works etc explained. One spiral staircase was made from a single tree trunk, it must have been a huge tree.
Throughout the walk through the Castle there were many spectacular views out the windows over the moat and to the gardens below. Also the Castle, which had for several hundred years been owned by private families and not Royality, had been rennovated several times. One of the most recent was between 1920 and 1936. Included in this rennovation was central heating, which has been very cleverly hidden by iron grates in the floor, you wouldn't know it wasn't suppose to be there.
The last owner Lady Olive Baillie gifted the Castle into the Leeds Castle Foundation and it has since been restored to some of its former glory and opened to the public. By restored to former glory, I mean the foundation returned some of the rooms to what they might have been like in the 17th Century, which gives the Castle a more authenic air.
The grounds also have a maze, a falconry, Aviary, Vineyard (which is located on the site it was said to have been at in 1066) which produces wine for the cafe and to sell, and extensive gardens. Not to mention the cafes and Leeds Castle shops for nic nacs.
One Museum, a dog collar museum wasn't at all what I thought. There were a few old collars, some I would never ever have put on Orion, but then they say they were like that to save the dog from the pigs. Even so I still wouldn't have put it on him. Some of them must have been extremely heavy.
The only disappointing part of the day, was that the shop didn't have a shot or spirit glass for us to buy. Now our collection is missing one, but oh well, you get that.
We drove back, hopeing to avoid rush hour traffic, which we only caught the first part of and had fish and chips for dinner. Tonight will likely be an early night. Quite tired after all this sightseeing.
R&M
What was funnier sort of, was we were literally just walking out the door when the phone rang and it was Ian and June. So Row got to speak to his parents for a while... But get this, Ian put the phone to Orion's (the dog) ear and Orion hung up on him, it was so funny. Probably not for Rowan as now I keep telling him that the dog has disowned him. Hopefully that isn't the case when we get home :)
Madeleine and Michael joined us today and we drove out to Leeds Castle in Kent. It actually took longer to drive to Stonehenge which is closer in distance. So we had a coffee before walking around the Castle grounds. They were so lovely. I want a garden that big, I know I said that in my last blog, but now I want a garden like Leeds Castle, with rivers and moats they are so cool.
The walk around the garden and through the duckery (Rowan was chomping at the bit to get his hands on a shotgun, but alas there were none in sight) and then around the waterways. It was very pleasant and relaxing. We got some awesome photos of the Castle from a distance. (have a look at http://picasaweb.google.com/JamoAndMegs ) We then wondered through an old Mill, which was very run down, in fact it had no roof, and no waterwheel, but again nice views out over the moat to the lawn gardens below.
Over the bridge across the moat, which I think I heard someone say that it use to be a draw bridge which would make sense, and into the Castle. This was anther splendid example of a Castle that truely looks like a Castle, and this one even had a moat. We wondered through the rooms of the Castle and were allowed to take pictures, I took some, but I'm getting use to not being allowed too. We brought the Guide book so I knew I had all the major art works etc explained. One spiral staircase was made from a single tree trunk, it must have been a huge tree.
Throughout the walk through the Castle there were many spectacular views out the windows over the moat and to the gardens below. Also the Castle, which had for several hundred years been owned by private families and not Royality, had been rennovated several times. One of the most recent was between 1920 and 1936. Included in this rennovation was central heating, which has been very cleverly hidden by iron grates in the floor, you wouldn't know it wasn't suppose to be there.
The last owner Lady Olive Baillie gifted the Castle into the Leeds Castle Foundation and it has since been restored to some of its former glory and opened to the public. By restored to former glory, I mean the foundation returned some of the rooms to what they might have been like in the 17th Century, which gives the Castle a more authenic air.
The grounds also have a maze, a falconry, Aviary, Vineyard (which is located on the site it was said to have been at in 1066) which produces wine for the cafe and to sell, and extensive gardens. Not to mention the cafes and Leeds Castle shops for nic nacs.
One Museum, a dog collar museum wasn't at all what I thought. There were a few old collars, some I would never ever have put on Orion, but then they say they were like that to save the dog from the pigs. Even so I still wouldn't have put it on him. Some of them must have been extremely heavy.
The only disappointing part of the day, was that the shop didn't have a shot or spirit glass for us to buy. Now our collection is missing one, but oh well, you get that.
We drove back, hopeing to avoid rush hour traffic, which we only caught the first part of and had fish and chips for dinner. Tonight will likely be an early night. Quite tired after all this sightseeing.
R&M
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