Mid-terms in England

posted by: Katie

Since midterms are here, my friends and I decided that we had to do something to perk ourselves up, and do something fun. We just couldn't study anymore! So we signed up for a trip to Leeds Castle in Kent, southof London, and known as one of the "most beautiful castles in England" and a wine tasting tour.

The day we left was very rainy, and probably not one of the best days to go look at a castle and its grounds. But we tried to make the best of it. The grounds of Leeds castle had a lot to do. First we had to walk from the coach park, up a hill for about 15 minutes, to get to the castle. The grounds were beautiful, and surrounded by "the duckery." Leeds Castle was purchased by an American heiress in the 1920's and was remodeled for her, and she loved birds, so there are several ponds dedicated to exotic birds. As we approached the castle, the outside of it did resemble a medieval fortress, as there was a gate and a barbican that was fun for pictures. We were able to walk around the castle and were able to take pictures within the castle. We even found out that the foundation that keeps up the care of the castle still meet inside, and even live there for a week when making decisions. It was kind of depressing that the castle was modified and looked more modern. But it was a beautiful castle, surrounded by a real moat. We then went to a small area a little further from the castle, where the workers used to live, but was now modified to take care of guests, with a restaurant, fowlery and little shows for kids with Henry VIII, the last king to live there. We went to the maze, which was made of high hedges, and got so lost. There was a man at the center who directed us, and when we got there, it was this small rock fortress that we could look from onto the maze. We then were able to go below it, where the grotto was. It was made of stone and underground and filled with small fountains and tile work. It was really beautiful under there.

Afterwards we went back to the coach we arrived on and went to Chapel Down, the winery.
We went on a tour of how to make wine and sparking wine, which is just champagne with a different name. Then we sat down and had a wine tasting. It was so cool. They gave us glasses to taste several wines, and we were able to take notes on it, and they taught us how to taste wines. It was a lot of fun, the release from midterms that we needed. We then came back to Richmond, and were absolutely exhausted. It was a fun and exciting day.

By the time you read this, I'll be in Spain and Austria! Having a total blast! I'll make sure to tell you all about it...for those in snowy New Jersey...

Katie