Thursday 19th July 2007
Leeds Castle, Kent Canterbury Our journey today took us to 'the garden of England' as Kent is often called and to 'the most beautiful castle in the world' - Leeds Castle. Around since Anglo Saxon times, Leeds Castle is a site well worth visiting. The castle, most recently the home of American Lady Olive Baille, is the home to many treasures. Often called the 'Ladies castle' because of the number of queens who have spent time there, Leeds is built on two small islands in a lake surrounded by the most beautiful grounds. As we arrived there were hunderds of English school children arriving to take part in a Tudor Day in the grounds of the castle. They looked great in their Tudor costumes and with their school banners flying proudly. You don't get your first glimpse of the castle until you have walked through the grounds for a while and then suddenly you see the castle before you set into the lake - it is a breath-taking view. Inside the castle the highlights include Catherine de Valois' (Henry V's wife) rooms of the early 15th century, the ebony floor in the gallery, the splendour of the interior design instigated by Lady Baille in the 1920s and 30s and the magnificent views out over the lake. Out of the castle there is an aviary, splendid gardens, a dog collar museum (!) and a maze. The maze was a favourite and most were quickly through, exiting through an underground grotto, lined with shells. Lunch was taken in the grounds and then we were back on the road. We became pilgrims, following the road to Canterbury that the pilgrims of the middle ages would have taken. The city is the centre of the Anglican faith and it was here in the 6th century that St Augustine brought Christianity. The cathedral dates from Norman times and is now most famous as the head church for the Church of England and for the fact that Thomas Becket was murdered here in 1170 on the wishes of the King, Henry II. Becket's martyrdom led to many miracles taking place and his tomb became the most visited site in England until Henry VIII tore down the shrine in the 1530s when he split form the Church of Rome. A single candle now burns where the shrine used to be. The cathedral is another wonderful place to spend time. Afterwards we spent time in the city and as the sun beat down we felt good about life. Not even a traffic jam on the M25 dampened our spirits!
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