Eternal Refuge

Day 1 - A Picture Of Myself.
Day 2 - 20 Facts About Myself.
Day 3 - Favourite Quote.
Day 4 - What Are You Afraid oF.
Day 5 - 10 Favourite Songs.
Day 6 - Your Five Senses Right Now.
Day 7 - Your Pet Hates.
Day 8 - What's In Your Handbag.
Day 9 - What's Your Worst Habits.
Day 10 - What's Your Best Physical Feature.
Day 11 - List 15 Of Your Favourite Things.
Day 12 - What's In Your Fridge.
Day 13 - What Is Your Earliest Memory.

Day 14 - If You Won The Lottery

Well I should say I don't do it!

However if a large cheque arrived on my doormat today I would make sure that Mum & Dad had some so they could hire gardeners/decorators etc so they could get a comfy living with everything that's going on in their lives.

I would pay off both my brother's mortgages (I don't have one) ... and give a small-ish amount to each nephew for college days.

For me I would get my hall/staires/landing decorated and my garden sorted out.

I would travel to see my aunts, as well as other friends in England ... and would also then travel to visit friends around the world ... warns you all to put the kettle on and be ready!

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As you can see by my previous entries I have walked a lot ... and done things that were free.  Well on the Wednesday I did one of those ... but I also payed an entrance fee.

I went to Hampton Court Palace.

It was originally built for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a favourite of King Henry VIII, circa 1514; in 1529, as Wolsey fell from favour, the palace was passed to the King, who enlarged it. He adapted it, and his wedding service to Catherine Parr actually took place there.

It was later adapted and extended during the rule of William & Mary.

Apart from the Palace itself and its gardens, other points of interest for visitors include the celebrated maze, the historic real tennis court and the huge grape vine, claimed to be the largest in the world.

I had been there first when I was a young teen, then again when Annemarie visited (when I was 18) and then the last time in 1986, when friends were over from France. I remembered getting lost in the maze, seeing the tennis court and one painted ceiling. So I was definitely due a re-visit ... and can say I thoroughly enjoyed the day trip.

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And so to the tour, proper .... There will be a couple of entries (I warn you now!)

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The official website

And so I went inside the Palace ... we all had audio guides ... which I did use for the Henry part of the tour (then I lost my place on the recording!)

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