Sunday at Cowdray..............

Sunday, the first Sunday in England we took a trip to Cowdray Castle/House ruins. It was their Tudor Festival. Liz had sent me a brochure before we began to make out plans. It seemed like a great idea that would interest most of us. Well, come to find out there were many Tudor festivals that weekend. We probably would have done better at Arundel Castle where they had jousting. As it turned out Cowdray was a nice afternoon it was not crowded and so very enjoyable. It a was leisurely stroll through beautiful ruins. What a beauty it must have been in its heyday. It was built around 1520 for a Tudor nobleman. Henry himself stayed there a few times. Even Queen Elizabeth 1 was there. The house was taken by fire in 1793. In modern times the ruins have been made safe and are a popular destination for tourists. Capability Brown changed the gardens into a park land and the grounds are still wonderful to stoll through. Most ruins strike the imagination but walking through and seeing people casually stroll by in Tudor garb really made it interesting. The re-enactors spoke as though they were back in the Tudor times, it was disconcerting at first but you got used to it. I spoke with a man who was showing woodwind instruments. Some hand made and beautiful. I learned about the reed inside of a reed flute and how it vibrated. Interesting. Then outside there was a booth with ladies working with herbs, that was fascinating, an interest of mine so I really enjoyed that. Jason went up to the tower looked off the roof, I started up there but saw a sign that said no entry and went back down. I was not going to go up again. By sunday me and steps were not getting along too well. I was beginning to cultivate the biggest blister I have ever seen on my body. Jason took this shot through the arrow slit, would have got Mark if he had a bow and arrow. Meanwhile I strolled through dreaming of how things once may have been, I love to do that. They have done a fine job of preservation on the ruins and I hope they last for many many years to come so that people can learn and appreciate our wonderful history. Monday would begin our 3 day trip through Devon and Cornwall.........