Well, i haven't updated this in a while. I get frustrated when I dont write frequently because then i forget stuff and I lose my enthusiasm for describing all the stuff that I've seen. So last week we went to Windsor Castle. It was really pretty (I say that about everything). My most favorite part of the castle was the armory i think. They had all kinds of guns, swords, armor and stuff that just planted on the walls. They also had a HUGE doll house that I think (i'm going to get this wrong, i get all the English names mixed up) Mary gave to her sister Victoria?? But it was a replica of the Palace and it had working electricity and plumbing and everything. The outside town of Windsor was quaint. We got milkshakes at Mod's. We also went to Runnymede, which is the field where King John signed the Magna Carta. It was really muddy.
Today we went to Hampton Court. I wasn't in the mood to go but I was surprised. The story behind Hampton is that it was built by Henry VIII's chancellor, General Wolsey. They were really good friends and the king gave him a lot of power so he decided to build himself a palace. However, when Henry wanted to divorce his wife and Wolsey didnt support him, the king banished him from Hampton and Henry VIII took over his homestead. Hampton is probably my most second favorite palace that i have been to with Versailles coming in first. Hampton stood out for a couple reasons. The first was that it was red brick, where all the other ones have been a white wash stone. The staircases and floors were wooden and very creaky. It was really cool to be stepping on the original stairs, thinking that kings and queens have walked in this very corridor or room. ALl the other palaces have given off an immensely gaudy feeling, but Hampton was more modest. The ceilings were extremely vaulted, but they weren't crested with gold and huge chandeliers and paintings. It was nice for a change. It was more "eastcoast" feelings with huge windows, dark wood and huge fireplaces. We got to tour the wine cellar and kitchen, which is something that we havent been able to do in past tours. The grounds of Hampton were GORGEOUS! It was really foggy today when we went and ridiculously cold but it was still enjoyable. There was a hedge maze which was cool to go through, but we got cold real fast so we left early and headed home, planning on coming back in April for the blooming of all the flowers.
Well, i'm leaving tonight for Scotland! I'll be gone til Saturday so more updates to come! Yay!
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