Travels with Tom
Tom landed on our door step in early July for some travelling. I had planned to have internet up by his arrival to make planning etc of some travelling easier. But alas, that was not to be (read previous post).
Without internet we had to do things simply. First we went to France (see post below). Upon returning to Oxford, Tom and I started doing day trips and things throughout the days to keep us busy. Kate was busy working, so when the cats away (or at work) the mice will play! We went down to the South East of England where our first stop was Windsor and of course Windsor Castle. This was the second time I’d been to one of the Queens weekend homes, and frankly I enjoyed it as much this time as I did the last time! I think my highlight is the “collection” of stuff on display. Most notably the bullet that killed Lord Trafalger and a red cape found in the carriage that Napolean fled from after his defeat at Waterloo!
After Windsor we made a bee-line to Brighton. Tom and I indulged in fish and chips as you have to when in Brighton. We then started looking for accommodation. It was a Wednesday night at about 9pm and we had no clues as to where we should stay. Well a quick call to Kate (back in Oxford) and she checked out some places in the lonely planet which we had conveniently left at home. We eventually checked into a *cheap* hotel – right up my alley! I think it was cheap ’cause it was above a night club. The club didn’t close until 3 am… Then the revelers continued to stand in the streets and yell at one another… Still it was cheap! and the following morning we had a full cooked breakfast. Cheap I tell you! I managed to sleep OK thanks to my trusty ear plugs. Never leave home without them, espeically when you are sharing a room with Tom. zzzzzzz (get the point?)
After Brighton we headed towards Hastings and the location of the battle of Hastings (1066). Funnily enough, the battle of Hastings took place in a place called “Battle”. I know our forefathers weren’t too bright, but you’d reckon that they’d be smart enough to steer away from a place called “Battle” ’cause you can guess what’s going to happen if you take your army there!
A quck history lesson… the battle of Hastings was between the Norman King William the conqueror and King Harold (of England). Turns out that when King Edward the confessor (the previous King of England) was on his death bed, he told Harold to go to William in France (Normandy) and inform him that Edward wished he, William, to suceede him as King of England. Harold, being a little industrious decided to take the English throne for himself. Well, when William found out, he wasn’t that happy… so he orded a huge fleet of ships to be constructed so he could go to England and have a word with Harold. Needless to say he did OK, hence why he was called “William the conqueror”. At the sight of the battle William (after winning) ordered the erection of a church etc to commerate the battle. Good stuff! (any history buffs, please correct me if I’m wrong!)
We then travelled to Bodium Castle (see pic below) which was the home of a Knight adventurer (a bloke who goes about gathering money for his own end). He built this place to let all the locals know who was boss in his area… Oh and he married the local lord’s daughter to cement the deal. Supposedly he got sick of England though, and returned to France… lovely place though!!
More to come…
I’ve been to Bodium castle, it’s just a few miles from where Kate’s brother in law lives. It’s a good one. My favourite bit was Kate was taking our (then) 5 year old nephew around. He was happy going up the tower but freaked out when presented with the task of descended the same staircase. So Kate had to carry him, and he wasn’t much smaller than her.