Hi there ... Friday we went to the Cheddar Caves ... absolute gorgeous .. you can see from the picture that they are this gorgeous golden orange colour (like the cheese!). We took a bike hike up the 273 stairs to the top, then climbed the tower for this gorgeous view.

Saturday we went to Longleat Castle. The castle was completed in 1580 and a Marquess (Alexander) and his wife still there. In the entrance hall is the shirt worn by King Charles I when he was beheaded - with faint bloodstains on it to thrill the boys. Unbelievable collection of art, furniture, miniatures, sculptures, tapestries, weaponry etc. - and we only saw about 1/3 of the house. In ONE glass case were six sculptures worth over $12 million - unbelievable wealth there. The house has been handed down generation to generation to the first born male, and the people living there are still called "Thynne". We were told that the current Marquesse is very eccentric - pictures of him skydiving with Richard Branson, and with his face painted up were scattered around, beside the coronation dress of Queen Victoria. I guess when you have that much money you can do whatever you like.

Also at the Castle is a wonderful hedge maze - it was fun to wander around and try to find our way out. We didn't get a chance to finish everything there - we will have to go back to see the drive through safari, do the boat ride and simulator ride, and wander around a few gardens and labyrinths, but there is a little splash park and playground so the kids are happy to go back. (Sorry, I couldn't get a pic of the kids inside the maze ... once you are inside it is hard to find anybody!).

Yesterday we took a cruise on a tiny, electric boat up the Avon river to Bathampton, and had drinks on the deck of the old mill (now restaurant). Great weather these days - we are in our 4th day of sunlight now (yes it actually does get sunny here!) which makes all these outdoor activities a bit better!

Cheerio from the Browns!