The Castle that should be known as any other except Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle...

Why I hear you ask? Well the answer is easy for anyone who has actually been to Leeds castle, it is no where near Leeds. Not Leeds in the 'oh, yeah, I know Leeds sense...' but it is near a miniscule town that also has the name Leeds. Still this is mighty confusing for the mere tourist like myself.

Having had my winge about the name let me say that Leeds Castle is one of the lovliest Castles in the world. True, maybe its the golf course stretching around the moat that first drew my heart but it has many other fine aspects as you shall see from the pictures below.

RACHAEL MEETS SOME OTHER IMPORTED AUSSIES - BLACK SWANS

DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE WERE JUST WALKING ALONG AND REALLY DIDN'T WANT A PHOTO HERE A LOVELY OLD ENGLISH LADY ASKED US IF WE WOULD LIKE A PHOTO ALL TOGETHER AND SO...HERE IT IS!

WATER VIEWS ARE WHAT MAKES THE CASTLE ESPECIALLY EXPENSIVE

JODI WITH CARVED STAIRCASE...SHIVERS. (For those of you who don't know our friend Jodi all she has said since she got here is "Shivers", which she says all the time and in normal language means "This is all amazing and I am excited!")

THE EARL OF LEEDS IN HIS STUDY - A RARE GLIMPSE

POSHO POSE - WELL WE TRIED

GIRLS WITH CASTLE

JODES PODES THE TRENDY WENDY

RACHAEL WITH CASTLE AND MOAT


There are acres and acres of gardens around the castle, including a vineyard and wood plantations. The cottage garden was a big winner. I might point out at this juncture that I am the proud owner of an orchard at home (two trees) and that my family have reliably told me that even in my absence the trees have produced a lovely crop...such are my green thumbs.

THE COTTAGE GARDEN, WHICH APPARENTLY IS SO LOVELY THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO BUILD ONE FOR RACHAEL WHEN WE GET BACK HOME. ILL GET RIGHT ON IT!


The castle has a falconry (where they keep birds not Ford's). In particular they keep birds of prey and they had a great show where the birds would fly around and attack different things. They are huge birds and mostly very fast.

BIRD SHOW

BIRDMAN WITH VULTURE - NOW THAT'S ONE UGLY BIRD


This was my third maze but the first where it could be considered even marginally difficult. It took us two attempts and 20 minutes to work out how to get to the centre. The trick was to turn away from the centre right at the end when you felt sure you should head for the centre. The most humiliating thing was that the centre was raised up so that the people who has already solved the puzzle could see exactly where you should be going but seemed happy to watch you attempt a completely hopeless direction without telling you. The cool thing was that you could walk under the maze from the centre through a cavern to get out so you didn't have to go back the way you came.

AMAZING

FRUSTRATION

YEAH!


All in all a great Sunday and worthwhile if your ever near the tiny town of Leeds about one hour East of London.
GOODBYE LEEDS CASTLE


Right now Rach and Jodes Podes are in Bath and then Driving up the west side of England to Chester. Expect some good photo's when they return. Until then Im all alone...boo hoo!

Love ya all

Ben