Monday- 10th September, 2018

We left Brook Marston Farm at around 10 am this morning and headed towards Warwick Castle.

Warwick Castle was great !!! lots to do and see, especially for families.

 Warwick Castle was built in 1086, when William the Conquerer appointed Roger de Beaumont as the First Earl of Warwick.

 The Keep, is part of the original castle that was built by the Normans.

The Castle was in private hands and was used as a residence until 1979.

On entering the Great Hall there is a large display of armour, some of it Medieval, but most of it was 16th Century.

 There is a huge buffet/sideboard, which was carved in a single piece from one Oak Tree.  Truly amazing !!!

When the castle was sold in 1979, it was bought by Tussauds, who own Madam Tussauds.  Consequently, when you walk into the rooms - many of them have wax figures in them.  Includimg Henry VIII and his six wives

  

 The opposite side of the Great Hall is set out like the Royal Weekend.  The figures are so life like, that we both thought someone was watching us when we walked into the room !!!

 This is Lord Brooke, Winston Churchill and Spencer Cavendish, deep in discussion in the Library

 This photo is George, Duke of York who became King George V in 1910 and Charles Spencer Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough.

Scences taken from the window of the Great Hall














There was a display of Birds of Prey,

which was quite interesting.

After a bite to eat and a coffee, we drove through the village, which is really old township.  From there we were heading towards Linslade where we are to pick up the boat tomorrow.  We were doing really well, until multiple road closures and diversions, made life a little confusing and difficult, but we got there in the end.  One diversion actually took us past Silverstone Race track.
We continued on to Milton Keynes to our accommodation for the night, about 15 mins drive usually, but more road closures and diversions made it difficult.  It seems to be a relatively new city, with high speed connections to London.  We eventually phoned the Holiday Inn Express, who directed us on how to find them.  We were actually very close.  The Holiday Inn Express Inn, was as usual, clean comfortable, friendly well trained staff, what else is needed :)