A Day Out at Kenilworth Castle

I have my beverage of choice to hand...Southern Comfort, splash of lime and ginger beer...and have just finished uploading my photographs of a fantastic day out.  Friday the 13th, unlucky for some, but for me, fantastic. 

the approach to Kenilworth Castle

Charley and I met some friends at nearly half way point between our homes, in Warwickshire, at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden.   Built in the 1120's by Geoffrey de Clinton, extended by John of Gaunt around 1370-1380  and then remodelled in about 1570 by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the Elizabethan Garden orginally created for the last visit of Elizabeth I in 1575.  She visited Kenilworth 4/5 times during her reign and rumour has it that there was a very strong attraction between the Queen and her loyal subject.  It is a fantastic ruin to wander around in and admire, of course the company you take has to be perfect and ours was, even the car picnic in the rain couldn't dampen our day.  Asking Charley on the drive home what was her favourite part of the day, I was surprised to hear that I have never taken her for a car picnic in the rain before, poor sheltered child! 

The fountain in the Elizabethan Garden, two 'Athlants' supporting a 'boll' and made in white Carrara Marble from Tuscany just as the original would have been.

It was so lovely to see Lorna, Zoe, Thomas and Natalie, can't wait until October for our visit to Warwick Castle.  Thank you for a fabulous day, I am now home, pleasantly tired and 'me bloomin' knees' hurt from all those steps!! 

Laney x