It seems our single reader is demanding more blog. Your request has been noted. In my defence - what happened to the rest of September? And the first half of October for that matter?
For your visual pleasings here are some piccys of the delightful
Leeds Castle, in Kent. We decided to visit after a recommendation from Mike's Dad. I guess I always thought Leeds castle was a lot futher away - like the city ... but no!
The first picture is a nice overview of the place. No, the castle is not dwarfed by a 400 foot mountain, nor did we spend a squillion ££s for a ride in a flying thing - well not unless you consider a giant helium filled balloon a flying thing - but it doesn't so much fly as sort of float - and it was only half a squillion ££s to go up in it, what a bargain. It was worth it though, great views as you can see. A little short lived though.
Any sort of building with water lapping at it's foundations is quite cool in my book (that would explain why I like Venice so much I 'spose). I'd love to know how they damp proof these sort of things though. The castle is still very much used today - it's was lived in right up until the 1950s ish I think. And today is still used as a conference and event venue - aside from being the tourist mecca of the south-east.
Not all castles can be all dark and foreboding inside, and this is one of those that aint. In fact sometimes it didn't feel like you were in a castle at all. Can't really say I'm a big fan of the French chalet look which the
wealthy American had her decorator do the place out in during the late 1920s (depression - what depression?). Still I could imagine snuggling up in the library to read a book in front of the fire on a stormy evening.
I think this castle has a split personality - there are a bunch of rooms that have been kept fairly original - the Henry VIII banqueting hall has an awesome ebony floor and windows that hang straight out over the water. And then there are Lady Baillie's rooms which, aside from the views out the windows, feel like they're part of a completely different building. Maybe this is a good thing - you can go from ye oldey worldey castle to cosy posh in no time at all.
Leeds was fun - but in my opinion it is not the most beautiful castle in England. Last week we went to Knole ... that'll be the next post (sometime!).
eeeeeee :)
