Sussex, Apparemtly

Allie tells me that we're in Sussex not Suffield or whatever I said in the last post. Oh well. The rest was accurate enough.

Herstmontceux was amazing. Our room included breakfast in the dining hall, one day continental and one day, most gloriously, cooked. Allie assured me that since it was ten years since she's been here, no one would remember her. In fact all the staff would squint at her, say she looked familiar and then when she told them when she was at the Castle, they would place her right away. It was a bit like travelling with a celebrity.

The castle itself is incredible. It dates from the 1400s, and until the 1700s at least the same family owned it. It's had a few different owners since but it's still great. It's brick, and looks just like a castle should, moat and dungeon included.  We had a tour which was very good. Because the castle is old and has been through a lot, lots of stuff inside was added by different people.  So some owners would buy things like a staircase that Queen Elizabeth walked on, and then find a place for it in the castle.

Today we explored the gardens a little before it rained. There are beautiful formal gardens and some lovely walks through the forest. There's also a very neat folly set way back from the castle and right against the forest. The forest was filled with bluebells and bird song and was perfect.

Now we are in Battle, which is the location of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 with William the Conquorer. We aren't a very neat Airbnb which dates to the 1400s. The ceilings are low and the beams are lower. Our room is up a narrow set of stairs and looks on the high street. We have two very comfy arm chairs and a tv with British programming so I think we will save exploring the town until tomorrow.