Veronica Visit: Scotney Castle

Prettiest castle I've ever seen. I felt like we stepped into a fairy tale.

Veronica Visit: Groombridge

Upon moving to Tunbridge Wells I learned that the Bennett home in Pride in Prejudice (featuring Kiera Knightly) is 5 minutes from my house. So after watching the highlights from the film, we hoped into the car and pulled up to the large moated manor house.

Sadly we found out on upon arrival that you actually can't tour the house. We wandered around the gardens though and enjoyed the sun that finally came out for a few hours. 

After our "tea time" (aka snack time) we boarded a boat down the stream to the enchanted forest. 

After our 5 minute boat ride we landed in the enchanted forest. The forest had animals and playgrounds and a giant dinosaur. Livvy loved loved loved it. 

Jude also discovered the fun that is swinging and had a blast.

We ended the day by chasing some chickens back into their coop. Little escape artists needed Vern's mad skills of kicking them toward their home.

One of my favorite days with Vernonica. =)

Veronica Visit: Dover Castle

Our first weekend outing of the Vern Visit 2012 was to Dover Castle, which sits on the coast of England. 

The castle was huge and everywhere you walked was a hill. Thank goodness we had Lincoln to push the stroller =).

We were able to walk through the WWII tunnels that are underneath the castle grounds. It was pretty awesome. Jude however managed to fall asleep on my shoulder.

After the war tunnels we went to the main castle common area and Livvy played medieval games with the other 50 or so kids. She was in heaven.

The best part of the day was seeing Livvy be knighted and ride her little horse. I thought she would chicken out, but she walked right up to the man in tights told him her name and got her helmet on and was ready to ride. 

I'm pretty sure she couldn't see out of the helmet. Best picture of the day. 

Leeds Castle Part 2

After we toured the house (quickly with two little ones) we went to find the maze that is located on the edge of the property. 

Once we found it, Jude and I hung back on the picnic blanket and Livvy and Lincoln ventured through the hedges. 

After they found their way out, Livvy came running up to me to tell me that she saw a "scary green man!" At the end of the maze there was a small tunnel and built into the rock was a monster looking guy that laughed an evil laugh. Livvy has not stopped talking about how she "covered her ears to make him quiet" and how he was so scary!

We ended the day by playing in the "Knight's Realm", a sweet playground that Livvy could not get enough of.

Then to top off the perfect "take a Thursday off just for fun" Lincoln bought us all ice cream and I attempted to keep Jude from smashing his face into it! 

Some things about this country drive me crazy, like not being able to find enchilada sauce or all-purpose flour, but Lincoln having to work less has been something that I love! 

...

The three of us are glad that the man in our lives can be around on a weekday! 

Leeds Castle Part 1

 Thursday Lincoln decided to take the day off. Yeah, he took a day off in the middle of busy season because the weather would be nice. Insane. I love that Lincoln is working a lot less and spending more time with us here!

Leeds Castle may be the most beautiful site we've been to yet. It is huge! The grounds are unbelievable with flower gardens, ponds, gazebos and more grass and running space than Livvy has ever seen!

The castle itself was pretty sweet too. Lady Baillie owned the castle last and lived there during the twenties. She redecorated the entire place and hosted actors and famous people. The rooms were spectacular. 

My favorite picture of the day. Jude was shocked to see a knight waiting for us as we entered the castle! =)