Day Trips from London: London to Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle

Its been a while since I've added to my Day Trips from London series but over this Easter long weekend, a friend and I finally took a trip to Bodiam Castle. I love that living in the UK I can just go and see a castle, built by a Knight, that existed almost 400 years before Australia was 'discovered' by Captain Cook, complete with moat, just like that.

The original bridge actually was from this grassy patch to the island in the middle.

Bodiam is a 14th century castle that was built during the reign of Richard II. Originally belonging to the Dalyngrigge family, it passed through several hands before it was donated to the National Trust in 1925.

Main entrance - wooden portcullis and family shields above

The exterior of the castle is intact (or has been restored) and as I approached it, it was quite the sight. I can understand why the grounds were landscaped in such a way, it would have made quite the imposing and intimidating impression. It does give the impression that it is bigger than it actually is.

Over the bridge, through the main entrance with the original wooden portcullis (quite rare) and up a side staircase to the battlements and I could see the whole interior of the castle. Only ruins remain, surrounding the green lawn of the courtyard. But with the help of a map, fireplaces and the markings of where the upper floors were, it was easy to glean life when it was a fully functioning castle.

The arched door way leads to the Great Hall

Facing the main entrance from the courtyard

The arches from the Great Hall leading to the pantry, buttery and kitchens

All the little details...

Dont forget to look up - Parts of Bodiam had 3 floors.

Looking out from the Retainers Hall to the courtyard

Possibly my favourite thing about the whole castle was the back entrance. Supposedly used for 'informal' access to friends, services and the like. I like to think of it as an early equivalent to the kitchen door used by friends today instead of the main house door. Except I'm sure that most kitchen doors don't have murder holes as a precaution.

Murder holes

Oh, did I mention its a photogenic castle? It was so easy to take good photos of it from every angle, almost no effort required ;)

Tips for visiting Bodiam Castle

 

How to get to Bodiam Castle

I think that the best way to get to Bodiam Castle from London is to drive. But due to Easter car hire opening hours my friend and I ended up taking a train to Maidstone and hiring a zipcar to drive there which worked well too.

The National Trust site does give various public transport options.

Food & drink

Bodiam Castle has a cafe near the carpark which serves a couple of hot meals, sandwiches, tea, coffee and cake. It has both indoor and outdoor seating. Across the road there is a Shepherd Neame pub Castle Inn which can serve as another option. Otherwise, if youre driving, why not take a picnic and eat there?

Nearby

There is a steam train station nearby Bodiam Castle, if you are looking for a full day out check out the Kent and East Sussex Railway website.
Why not take advantage of the beautiful countryside and take a walk along the public footpaths? I saw a couple of stiles and marked paths so with a bit of googling found this map.

Not a bad way to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of London don't you think?

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My First UK Vote

Its official, I voted. My first vote in the UK. I wasn't going to do it, to tell you the truth. If anything, all the media coverage did, was show that no-one really had a clue. But what else is new? Its always like that and I suspect that most of the time people just vote for the lesser of two evils. So it came as surprise to me, when I found myself looking at the manifestos of the different parties.

My subconscious mind had pushed and shoved and got my attention with the 'immigration policy' section. I know there are loads of more pressing issues out there, but as an expat, immigration policy is a huge deal to me. Its become harder and harder over the past number of years to live and work in the UK as an Aussie. The working holiday visa is great for those wanting a taste of British life, but what about those of us who want to stay?

I had to jump through hoops, to get my sponsorship visa, gladly I might add, as I do love London, but still, it wasn't a walk in the park. That visa was the only thing I was eligible for. I'm a professional, working in an area that is on the UKs skills shortage list and, thankfully, make a decent enough living so I can pay my exorbitant London rent and still have a bit left over to enjoy what this amazing city has to offer. But its so hard to move here that I'm sure it puts a lot of highly skilled people off.

Anyway, out of all the parties, only two had a policy that made me feel like I would be welcome to stay, and not in a grudging manner. So I voted, for whatever my two pence were worth.

I went to my polling station and got my slip of paper from the sour woman ticking off names. I swear, she hid the names on the page because I accidentally glanced at them when I gave her my address. Seriously?! Anyway, I took that itty-bitty paper to a rickety booth that looked like it would fall appart if someone so much as sneezed next to it. (By the way, what is it with pencils in the voting booths?? We have them in Sydney too. Are they going to rub everything out and change the votes later or are they so cheap they are worried people are going to steal pens? Honestly, if someone wants to steal a pen from a polling booth...let them have it!) My mark made, I dropped it into the box, dodged those people outside who also want your address for heaven knows what reason and I was done.

And you know what? Voting felt...great. It was such an unexpected feeling! I felt like somehow, that small action was a little turning point and I belonged a bit more here. Go figure.



Did you vote today?

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Escaping the city, a country spell in Devon

I have escaped London for a few days.

At the moment, I'm sitting on a bench in my friends sunny garden in Devon. Just beyond the bottom of the garden I can see an open field edged by trees and fluffs of sheep and lamb dotted through it. Don't believe me? This is my current view...

Its quiet, super quiet. Nothing is interrupting the peace except the baa-ing of the sheep. After a bit of a manic three days studying for a British, work-related certification culminating in an exam, I'm happy to sit here in the warm sun and just relax.

My friend and her mum have been super nice and have asked me to stay with them for a couple of nights. Earlier they took me to Sidmouth for their legendary sour cherry ice cream (I swear, it was so good I wanted to moosh my face with it), and a walk along the seafront.

It was a pebbly beach but I did get to see some of those beach huts. I can now count 2 beaches I've been to in the UK, YAY! Unfortunately I didn't try any local seafood as it was a brief stop. Maybe on the next visit. The coast line is quite dramatic, huge cliffs tower above the sea and the soil is a deep reddish brown which is churned up on choppy days like today.

Tonight my friend is taking me into Exeter for dinner and who knows what we'll get up tomorrow - I suppose it depends on the weather.

Where will you be escaping to this bank holiday weekend?

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Let's go to the seaside...

Elouera beach, Sydney

When I think of the UK, beaches are not the first thing that come to mind. I see culture, countryside, history and old towns. I know it does have beaches, and I have been to Brighton, but it's simply not the first things that pops into my head.

Brighton beach

Beach Hut Life (BHL) have asked me to share a cool infographic about some of the UKs seaside destinations and some foodie options, both posh and nosh*. So, as it is slowly warming up in the UK and, in keeping with my urge to explore more of London and the UK, I figure, why not explore its beaches this year? Anyone interested in joining me in checking out some of these seaside towns and eats? Drop me an email ;)

BHL

Usually, beaches remind me of home. Long sandy beaches and coastal walks to find hidden bays, but I'm keen to learn more about the UK traditions of going to the seaside. For me, food plays a big part of my tradition of a day by the sea. In Sydney, no visit to the beach is complete, without fish and chips wrapped in butchers paper and eaten over looking the water while fighting off hungry, hovering seagulls.

Bondi beach, Sydney

However, having a look at some of the seaside foodie options in the UK, I'm a little stumped...Whelk? Dressed crab? All I know of "Whelk" is that Harry Potter's aunt Marge ate a funny one in the first book.

What do you usually go for when at the beach?

*Note: while BHL have asked me to share this infographic, I have not been comped, I just like helping out new companies, and why not one that promotes those iconic beach huts?

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The Perils of the UK Working Holiday Visa and being an Expat

Tower Bridge and the Thames at twilight, London.

The perils of the UK working holiday visa and being an expat in London is that eventually, you have to say goodbye. As an Aussie, I'm lucky enough to qualify for a UK working holiday visa. Back in September 2011, i was jumping around the house like a kid waving my brand new Tier 5 working holiday visa (or Youth Mobility Visa as it is officially known) excited about the prospect of making the move to London and adopting it as my home for two years. The problem with this visa is that it cannot be extended and has to end after two years no matter how much i love London or how much i want to stay (despite the weather!).

A sunny day at Regents Park, London

This sunny weekend i realised that my visa deadline is looming. It is barely 5 months away. Eeep! I feel as though I've barely scratched the surface of this city or the travels i could have. I need more time! So, what are my options? Sponsorship. Short of coming up with a business idea and finding funding for an entrepreneurship visa, that's about it. Ive been speaking with my umbrella company about that but i wont find out either way till sometime in August.

Currently I'm resisting the urge to panic. I really enjoy living in London. Yes i do miss Sydney, its my home, but London is my travel home and its such a great place to base yourself for travel anywhere. Even if you don't go anywhere, there is always something going on in London, always something to see, do, experience.

The London Eye at night

I have survived living in a hostel, slowly built up friendships, endured the crazy house share/house market quirks of London and finally landed on my feet where I'm not struggling as much as i used to.
Travel wise, being in London has let me jet off to some great places. Ive fallen in love with Japan and the beauty and majesty of its cherry blossoms, managed not to kill myself on the slopes of Borvets in Bulgaria, seen a glimmer of the Northern Lights in Iceland, became enchanted with Venice, travelled through Italy, ate my way through Athens and Santorini and soon I'll be not sleeping in New York City.
Even inside the UK I've walked the city walls of York, dragged a friend to Edinburgh, visited the beautiful Lakes District, been blown away at Brighton, repaired a snowman in Oxford, punted along the Cam in Cambridge, and fell in love with a non-Shakespearean play (A Soldier in Every Son)  at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Big Ben and Westminster Underground Station, London

If i cant get sponsorship, I'll be OK to go home...after trying to fit in as much travel as possible in warmer climes. If i do, brilliant, it just means I'll have loads more to blog about and share with you all.

Either way, I'll keep you posted. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

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London Deja Vu

Hearing: Westminster Abbey and the Big Ben chimes, traffic going past on Broad Sanctuary/Victoria Street

London in the summer has this smell. Nothing unpleasant, its quite nice actually but i cant describe it properly. It smells like summer, fresh, floral, sweet, but something more...

National Gallery and St Martin-in-the-Fields

After landing into Heathrow yesterday and hopping on the tube it hit me like a forgotten memory. It was bright and sunny and a great welcome for the start of my holiday. the only "downers"were that there was trackwork on the the Piccadilly line so it was hop-off, bus it, and hop back on. And when i checked into my accommodation i found that it was a lower ground room that looked out on to a cement wall a metre away. The trackwork thing couldn't be helped, the room however has put a dint into my expectations. Unfortunately the place is full and i was advised to speak with the office on Monday to see if there is anything they can do. I'm not one to usuallymake a f uss but there is one thing i loathe to put up with, its a room with no natural light, anything else, small bed/room/ensuite/no ensuite etc i don't care. But i digress, the place overall is pretty good not to mention the fantastic location.

My view during lunch

2012 Olympics Countdown Clock

After dumping my stuff i headed out for a wander and in search of a grocery store. Lots of people were out and about. I found a Waitrose, picked up some stuff and headed back to my room. I would like to say that i toughed it out and stayed up to fight jet lag but i couldn't. Over 30 hours of travel was just too much and i was sound asleep by 8pm. It did bite me in the butt though. I woke up around 5.30am for a moment not realising where i was & was not able to go back to bed. I bummed around the room, ate strawberries id picked up yesterday, did my usual internet stuff (the place has free internet!) and then headed for breakfast.

Don't know if this is a new installment in Trafalgar Square but I've never noticed it before

Soon enough i was out and about, not walking, but bounding down the street on my way to Piccadilly Circus. I did intend to take Tottenhamcourt Road but ended up on Oxford St which was fine by me. All the stores had sales and i couldn't help popping into a few. I was good though and managed to walk away without spending anything. I think the trick is that i was hungry so food took a priority. I bought myself a sandwich from Pret-A-Manger and polished it off fairly quickly once i got to Trafalgar Square.
 

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Crowds near the London Eye

London is BUSY! There are tourist groups everywhere. Ive never seen so many. Maybe its because its the weekend or maybe its just because its summer. I'll find out soon enough. There was a countdown clock placed in Trafalgar Square counting down the 326 days, hours, minutes and seconds to the 2012 Olympics in front of which people were taking photos.

Two London icons, the London Eye and Big Ben

Did i mention i got asked for directions? i LOVE it when that happens. It makes me feel like i really belong in a place, that i don't stick out like a tourist.

So after finally snapping Nelson properly thanks to the fab zoom on my new camera i headed down to Westminster Abbey where i have been people watching this past hour and trying to make myself realise I'm not in a dream even though my eyes are insisting that i am. Its an eerie feeling i can tell you. I look about here and i get this sense of Deja Vu, and yes i know i have been here before but i don't have a better way of explaining it. I guess the jet lag and overcast weather doesn't help.

My view as i write this post

I should wander around a bit more. I'll post photos of my meanderings to close out this post. Enjoy!

VP

A couple of guys i saw just chilling out in the Victoria Tower Gardens next to the Houses of Parliament

See all those people on the right? They are cuing up for the London Eye!! The cue doubled back on itself a couple of times too!

South Bank - something is always happening here

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Stonehenge - England

I just got back from my trip to Southampton to visit Stonehenge. I took the National Express 11am bus from Victoria station (15.60pounds) and only got back after 11pm.

It was such a long time just travelling (driving would have been better) but it was a place I've always wanted to visit and worth the long trip. So after 5.90pounds entry and a free audio guide later i made it there. I took some great photos since I was there for the sunset and listened to some interesting information about the place. It was lovely experience.















You can actually see the site from the road if you drive past so you don't have to pay if you are just passing through the area and want to see it. The other thing is the site is roped off as you can see in some of the photos and its to stop people climbing all over it or (and it has been done) taking pieces of it.

And now I just want to sleep. Enjoy the rest of the photos :)

VP

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