My cousin Zsuzsi, her daughter Patri and her partner Mihály came to stay with us and to taste the delights of England. As Mihály knows England and his English is excellent they were able to visit places on their own, by train or in my car. Their primary aim was to visit the museums and galleries of London, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. There was still time to see other sights and to visit various events with us: Leeds Castle, ‘Kent goes Wild’ at Shorne Country Park, bat walk, pub crawl, etc. Ann could show off her culinary skills and, of course, their visit was a good excuse to open a few bottles.
Arrival of our guests at Gatwick: Zsuzsi, Patri and Mihály
Zsuzsi and Patri relaxing on our terrace after the strenuous journey
Zsuzsi and Patri in Trafalgar Square
A typical tourist picture
One morning we visited Gravesend. We saw the statue of General Gordon, who lived in Gravesend and was in charge of the Thames fortifications.
Patri, Zsuzsi and I in the fort.
Before lunch we stopped at The Cock.
In the afternoon our visitors went to Rochester. Mihály with Rochester castle in the background.
Zsuzsi found a wondrous flower in Rochester: a magnolia blossom in August!
Enjoying a roast beef dinner in the Biergarten. In the balmy evening – a rare opportunity in England – we chatted until midnight.
On Saturday we visited ‘Kent goes Wild’ at Shorne Country Park. On the dragon fly walk.
Taking a well earned rest.
In the evening we went on a bat walk at Leeds Castle. With the bat detectors we could hear and locate the bats and the expert could even tell the type of the bat. In the picture Shirley demonstrates the wings of a bat.
Early Sunday morning Mihály and Patri went with Ann to the Farmers’ market, ...
... where you can even buy Kentish wines and bubblies.
Our visitors visited Hever Castle. Mihály has managed to drive there and back without incident.
There was a joust at Hever by the same troupe you may have seen in our album.
Zsuzsi needs a rest after a tiring day at Hever.
We spent a pleasant day at Leeds Castle. Here Mihály, Zsuzsi, Patri and I having a rest in front of the old Pavilion after a walk through the Duckery ...
... This time with Ann and I am the photographer.
Zsuzsi and Mihály in Culpepper Garden
Patri in Culpepper Garden
Zsuzsi, Patri and I in the Mediterranean Garden
Patri under a banana tree in the Mediterranean Garden
On the Fairfax terrace with Leeds Castle in the background
Patri, I, Zsuzsi and Mihály in the castle vineyard ...
... This time with Ann and I taking the picture
The Maze in the castle. To our shame our visitors had arrived at the centre before us.
Afterwards we watched the falconry display ...
... and ‘Darleen’, a red legged Seriema, how it was catching its prey, a poisonous snake.
In the evening we went to a quiz evening in the Cock. We won the booby prize.
Patri and Zsuzsi having a rest after visiting Westminster Abbey.
Zsuzsi in the British Museum
In the evening Ann prepared an Indian feast.
An Indian meal and German beer ... what could be better!
‘The Last Supper’