Our Holiday began Sept 16 flying to London!

       Our Holiday began with our flight from Orlando to Gatwick Airport London. We flew British Airways and had a great flight. We booked Premium economy and enjoyed the extra leg room and larger seats as well as the foot rest.... well worth the price on longer trips. We  were greeted by a great crew and given a glass of champagne and then hot towels to freshen our hands. So nice to be pampered!  We enjoyed a lovely dinner and then relaxed and before you knew it they were back offering a light breakfast before landing. It's so funny as you certainly don't work up an appetite on a plane but we tried all the goodies. LOL!
    We arrived at 7:00 am and going thru Customs was quick easy and organized. We were staying at the Hilton at the airport, as we had an early morning flight to Rome the next day.  After dropping our luggage we caught a cab and off we went to Hever Castle. 

Hever Castle

Enjoying chatting with a guide in Costume.

The Moats are on both sides.

Such well kept grounds.

         As the English would say the weather was "brilliant" for a day to visit the Castle and the Gardens. It was sunny and cool about 65-70 degrees or 18-21 degrees Celsius. This really was great to keep us awake!
We enjoyed the gardens first and we were actually amazed we made it thru the maze! ;)  They had a beautiful Italian Garden as well as a rose Garden, herb and topiary.  Walking thru we met a lovely couple Norma and Brian. They gave us some history of the Castle and we shared our love for all the roses... I explained to them how hard it is to grow roses in Florida with the heat. I have some knockout roses that do ok but the climbing beautiful ones there at the Castle we cant grow. It was lovely talking with them and listening to their accent and enthusiasm to visiting the many castles and gardens in England.  We took a lovely picture and then walking thru another garden I came upon a lovely bride and groom. We wished them luck and of course snapped a picture and off we went to tour the Castle.
          At the front door they had a woman dressed in costume... the picture is above.  It  always adds to the fun seeing the clothing and such. The Castle is actually small but very charming. It has a double Moat  surrounding it. This was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn the second wife of King Henry V111.  I'm challenged trying to figure how to type Henry the 8th!  We enjoyed the tour and its history and looking at all the beautiful paintings. The woodwork and staircases were true works of art. The workmanship and details amazing. They even recreated a bed not actually Anne's bed but similar to give people an idea rather than  have an empty rooms. Its amazing how times and styles have changed and yet Europe marvels with the style and culture of the past. You have to remember this castle was a country home built in the 13th century and Anne Boelyn spent her childhood here. Of course it has been updated somewhat but you still walk up and down narrow staircases and by the end of the afternoon I was exhausted and needed a cup of coffee to keep me going. We visited the gift shop and then on to the restaurant  for a cappuccino for energy!
     It was a beautiful day and certainly a Grand place to start our Holiday!    As a helpless Romantic I could envision being in the garden sipping a Cool Vodka and Tonic and perhaps penning some Poetry! Aww yes enjoying the Life of a Royal!
      I will continue the saga tomorrow as we fly to Italy for two glorious weeks.

                                                                   Talk to you soon ...Cheerio
​                                                                         Denise

Looks like they need My Pillow!

The Sneakers and the Bag have to go!

We had to use rear staircase...like Servants! LOL!

Norma and Brian were so nice to chat with. OMG that bag!!! So funny now that I see it!

Beautiful Bride and Groom...Dropped the bag and coat for this picture!

Love the simplicity and style.

A walk down a lovely garden path.

So vibrant the red flowers.

Now that's a pergola!

If only I could have this in my garden in Florida! Could image sitting doing a water color painting or perhaps playing the cello! Such Beauty!

Beautiful painting of Hever Castle.