Leeds Castle and Canterbury

This morning I, along with a group of people from the program, boarded a coach to go to Leeds Castle and Canterbury.

Leeds Castle is located in Kent and it is beautiful. Most of it stands by a large bit of water and it is very picturesque. I understand why it has been deemed "The Loveliest Castle in the World." We were lead by our tour guide through the grounds where you get to see a large amount of peacocks. Yes, peacocks. There were the gorgous male peacocks and then there were the females ones with their babies who were so cute. Then up to the castle where the tour guide let us loose to go through the insides on our own. Out of the entire interior of the castle, I like the windows the most. Because of the reflections from the water on the outside, many of them, espeically the really old windows, began to glow. It was gorgeous.

Back in the grounds Callie and I walked through the traditional English gardens and found the maze. We were warned by our tour guide that some people have been lost in the maze for a half hour. We only had a half hour left before we had to meet back at the bus. Did we dare go in? Of course. Surprisingly, it only took us five minutes to find the center. Though we did have a little bit of help when two little kids began to follow us cause their dad was in the center telling them which way to go. But I think they ended up following us cause we somehow were going in the right direction. Once you get to the center of the maze, which turns out to be actually quite small, you climb this little tower to look over the entire maze. However, to get out you go down these steps to the grotto under ground. The grotto was actually quite creepy. There were stone inhuman figures and there was a great waterfall that came out of the mouth of a great face. After the maze, we headed back towards the bus, which was about a ten minute walk, stopping every so often to take some pictures.

From Leeds Castle, we went to Canterbury. There our tour guide took us into the town near the entrance to the Canterbury Cathedral that is known for the hundreds of pilgrimages throughout history - for anyone who has read The Canterbury Tales, this is the cathedral. From here our guide gave us an option to either go off and find food or to do some shopping or follow her because she was willing to do a little guided tour of the city. Only os us went on the little tour. The rest went shopping. So disappointing. Anyway, the guide took to us to some areas of the town where the oldest residential tudor architecture can be found along with other sites around the place including where the dunking chair is. This chair is what people used to see whether or not you were a witch. They would put you in the chair and dunk you into the river and if you drowned you were innocent and if you floated you were a witch(and then they killed you).

After the tour we were set free to find lunch and do whatever we wanted for two hours. Callie and I needed food so we found a West Cornwall Pasty Co. If you are ever in England you must eat here soemtime. A pasty is basically any type of meat and veggie and it is wrapped inside a dough pocket and baked. I had the traditional which is beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions. It was delicous. Another reason why I like the place is because the logo is a pirate eating a pasty. These days I like anything with a pirate theme. I would definetely eat at another West Cornwall Pasty Co.

After filling our bellies, we walked around and went into a few shops and bought a thing or two. We then went to the St. Augustine's Abbey ruins. You have to pay to get in. Many would think why would someone pay to see ruins of any abbey, but I actually liked it cause it was something that people don't really pay attention to. Many, when they come to Canterbury, are interested in the cathedral, which I am, but didn't have time to go see. But I think St. Augustine's abbey was just as cool.

After roaming around the ruins and taking pictures, Callie and I headed back to the meeting spot. We had to be there at 3:45 and not be late. Our guide was very stict on this. Basically cause there was a certain time when the coach was going to come back. Cars are only allowed on the outer part of the town, and they really don't like coaches, which have to wait somewhere outside of the town cause there is no area for them to park in. But anyway, we made it to the coach on time and we soon fell alseep on the way back to London.

I ate my usual dinner of a Tesco sandwhich and crisps (photato chips), and I ate in the commons cause, for once, no one was in there. I finally got to see an episode of Dr. Who , though it was a repeat of the second season when the Doctor regenerates and the city of London and the entire world is yet again under attack from aliens. Perhaps the only people who would understand what I'm talking about is my family. My favorite quote from this episdoe: The Doctor's hand grows back after being severed. Alien leader: "Witchcraft." Doctor: "Time Lord."