Day Two

This was a Tuesday and I had put my alarm in my lovely little room, close to my bed. I still, however, almost missed the bus because I turned off the alarm and did not get up! I ran out of my bed, literally, and made it on time.  I was on the bus with my croissant in hand from the breakfast table to listen to Alison Weir discuss the Norman conquest, and Tracy Borman, one of the other historians, talk about William the Conqueror and Matilda, his wife. Lastly, Julian Humphries, a tour guide, talked about the introduction to Battle Abbey and the Battle of Hastings.  I had wanted to see Hastings for a long time.  This is the site of the Norman conquest and where William of Normandy conquered England; it really starts British history in the year 1066. To stand where the Battle of Hastings took place was really special -- an Anglophile’s dream!  

The Norman conquest

Saw this everywhere

Once we departed Battle, we stopped at a vineyard called Carr Taylor, and enjoyed a tasting. I loved the ginger wine, but I certainly couldn't afford – space wise -- to put any wine in my suitcase. Space was limited and I did not want to have to carry so much, let along mess with potentially spilled wine!

At 3pm that day, we departed for Bodiam Castle, which seems to be on the cover of every book known about British history.  Again, our historian Michael Jones spoke about the very pretty medieval castle. It did not serve any defensive purpose, but certainly was very pleasing to the eye. One of our tour members, however, tripped on a tree stump, if you can imagine. She was taken to the hospital and did join back up with the group two days later. She had black-and-blue eyes but was determined to stay with us. It was such a freaky thing, but England is very hilly and so many of the sites are so old! She was bandaged up but was a trooper.  I suspect that when she got home, she had a broken nose. I gave her credit for trooping on. Luckily, this was the only bad event on our trip.

Bodiam Castle

After all that excitement, we were driven to a restaurant at the Brickwell Hotel, where we had drinks (the tour always had evening drinks, which was so nice!) and dinner that evening. Tracy Borman, who is probably the best-known historian on the trip next to Alison, spoke that evening about Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I. She'd just come out with a book on that subject, and I bought the book and she signed it. We then once again dropped into bed. Another great day!

Dr. Tracy Borman