Benders Five: England in Autumn (2012)

Train station in a nearby village

Bodium Castle, just moments before we witnessed an otter relentlessly attack a duck.

It sure didn't hurt that SHAPE followed the Belgian holiday calendar for work and school. All Saints, the week after Halloween, is a week-long break. So, what else do you do when you don't have to work or go to school? Take a trip of course. England was a hop, skip and a jump and we took advantage of that a handful of times. This trip was good. We stayed in a cottage in a village about 40 minutes south of London. We took a day trip to the city one day and toured a few castles on the others. Bodium was incredible, and the kids met a boy who asked them in either a shocked or mocking way, "Are YOU speaking AMERICAN?!?" Be sure to read this in a strong English accent. So darn funny. We also visited Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. This place was beautiful and the history in the castle top notch for those of us who are into that kind of thing. The kids got to do archery and run around the grounds. Europe has this way of catering to families. These castles nearly always have a playground AND a little restaurant where you can get a pint. Why not?

Waiting for the train to London. Even playgrounds at train stations around here.

Cemetery in churchyard next to the train station.

Not sure what Matthew is saying on the top, but he dedicated it to his Great Grandpa George.

Remembrance Day is around the corner. Everyone wears a poppy, and these small wooden crosses are available from the British Legion.

Where is that train?

We made it to London

Outside Westminster

Inside Westminster. I love this.

I think that's obvious.

The garden of the cottage we rented.

The view from upstairs

Old Henry, what a guy. We ate at this pub before venturing on to Hever. In hindsight, it's just not right to have him all smug with his pub just across from where his executed ex grew up.