Dover Castle

 Before we left NZ we bought a New Zealand Historical Place Trust membership card. This allows us free entry to all English Heritage and National Trust properties in the UK.

 

So, the first thing we did when we got off the ferry in Dover, was to go to Dover Castle.

 

The kitchen was really interesting.

 

The shields were a bit big....

Nice and cosy by the fire in the guest room.

The rug was made from 200 red squirrels...

In the dining room

 

On the throne

The king had 2 blankets and it took 500 grey squirrels to make it.

 

We went up one of the towers. There was a well with a bucket hanging down. The bucket had some money in it. The boys tried to hoist the bucket up to get to the money....

 

 

A nice way to start the UK part of our trip.

Blue Grape Cottage



 

We stayed at Blue Grape cottage close to Bruges for 4 nights. It was the most wonderful place. We were out in the country with so much space and so much to do.

 

When we got there our host, Marc, showed us how to get the donkeys ready for a ride.

 

 The boys got to brush the donkeys first.

Then the boys went for a ride...

 Great rural views

 

Next the boys found some pedal cars....and some bikes.

 



 

 

After dinner the boys fed the pony and then they took Abraham for a walk.

 

 Had a beautiful sunset....

  

On the next day there was raspberry picking, more bike riding and more donkey riding.

 
 

 

Some donkey patting....

...and another nice sunset...

On our last day we didn't go out to do any sightseeing, so there was lots of time to brush ponies,

....play games....

....read books....

 

....hang out with the animals....

....feed the animals all our left overs....

....ride some more bikes....

....and play in the sandpit....

It was about 9:30 before we got the boys out of the sandpit and inside for pancakes.

 

This was the most wonderful way to end our 7 weeks on the continent. Thank you Marc, for your hospitality and help. We all enjoyed our stay very much.