Dover Castle

I am officially middle-class and middle aged (despite being 25), as I am now a member of the English Heritage as well as the National Trust.

Today I had a jolly out to Dover Castle

Dover Castle

Built on the coast, just across the channel from France, Dover Castle has been an important fortification for 2,000 years. King Henry II first constructed the castle in the 1180's, but to due to the areas strategic significance, the site has been adapted to over the years to meet the changing demands of warfare. Further buildings were added during World War II, including a network of underground tunnels used as a field hospital.

More pictures after the cut:-

stained glass, I thought it was pretty how it reflected onto the stone  

The Tea House

The Tea House in Covent Garden is a tea drinkers' paradise. It sells loads of varieties of loose tea, my favourite name was 'precious eyebrows', though I don't think I'd actually like to drink it! The pictures aren't the best I'm afraid the shop has 'atmospheric' lighting and I thought it would be bad etiquette to use my flash.

loose tea at The Tea House 

Prices vary from about £3 up to about £12. They would make fantastic presents, especially some of the more unusual flavours. I have a sweet tooth so quite fancied the marzipan blend, the queue was too long though so I didn't make a purchase. It's not too far from where I work so I'll probably pop in and pick some up when it's a bit quieter. I also quite fancied the tea diffusers and tongs, they came in quirky shapes like robot, fruit or rubber ducks- again would make an excellent gift.  

The rosebuds smell lovely and would look so pretty unfurling in a teacup 

This would make an excellent gift for the squaddie tea drinker in your life

Wimpole- Library

The library and book room at Wimpole is pretty impressive. At lots of the National Trust properties the libraries are quite dark and musty- not that I mind that- but at Wimpole it is unexpectedly light and airy. I could imagine reading there without suffering from eye strain.

They are currently cleaning the Library and with over 10,000 books it's a massive task, it's going to take over two years! Each book is individually caressed with a brush made from pony hair to remove dust, it is done by volunteers with some guidance from experts. I was surprised to learn they handle the books with bare hands, but apparently cotton gloves are too rough and can scratch away miniature leather particles.

this house steward was kind enough to give a talk about the book cleaning process. 

Some of the books will take even longer to restore, as nearly 259 of them were damaged by a leaking roof. They will be methodically washed, dried and repaired by experts to remove the mould and tide marks. It's going to take over 2 years and £300,000, luckily the cost is covered by an insurance claim.

Very Beauty and the Beast