Leeds Castle
I am not sure why I have not managed to return to Leeds Castle for well over a year since it is only two miles down the road from me, but never mind, I finally made it back there. It is quite expensive to get in but, like many places now, they offer free return for a year with the same ticket . The weather was pretty fine when I got there - in fact it was downright hot, so the bugs were out to play…
This shot has been done a million times, but this was the first time for me, and it was nice to actually not be on a schedule as my other half was at work and I had nowhere to be. So I did the tourist thing and just looked at everything.
Budweiser gets everywhere it would seem. Filthy American lager - I would have been much happier to find a bottle of Bulmers left there.
I didn’t stay for the wedding that was being setup - I expect the photographer was earning a nice tidy sum as weddings at Leeds Castle don’t come cheap.
I had some good fortune whilst doing the tourist thing. A large American got chatting to me whilst I was looking over the wall. I can only assume it was the combination of my LA Lakers shirt, big ass Nikon and friendly face that made him ask for some advice on using his Nikon D40x. He explained that his brother had bought him it for his UK trip and that he had no idea how to shoot in anything other than Auto. My helpful streak leapt into gear and I took a few shots of his kid and wife for him (so his brother would be impressed) and passed on a few tips. Whilst us English struggle with the tipping thing, the Americans don’t and he insisted on paying me twenty pounds. I tried to hand it back but he was adamant (and big) so I reluctantly accepted the kind gesture. He went off happy and I went off slightly richer… for a few minutes at least.
The RSPB had a recruitment tent set up by the moat (and swan feeding area - clever marketing) with a few scopes pointing around the place. Just before I got to the tent I bought a particularly cold White Magnum but I fancied having a look through some of the scopes, just to see how good they were. Anyway, the heady mix of earning twenty quid and the time it took me to eat the ice cream made me a target for the girl in the tent and, after seeing the map of RSPB reserves, somehow I ended up agreeing to join them. I felt slightly good about myself for doing my bit for charity, especially I effectively got £20 off the price for helping the American.
It was nice to see a fellow D200 shooter, even if she looked bored as hell.
There were lots of bubbles being created by parents eager to appease their screaming children. I like bubbles. Much nicer than silly string.
Ooooo and they had a bird of prey section. I am a sucker for some raptor action.
Young fools. Old fools. Once i was one of these fools that attempted the maze. Never again. If my other half is reading this at any point - never again. I shall gladly watch from the sidelines. My brain can’t handle mazes.
I admit that Leeds Castle is probably a fairly safe venue, but I wouldn’t leave my kid all alone, not with that many geese…
The Hooper Swan is quite rare apparently, though there were quite a few waddling about.
Now that I have my ticket for the year I shall try my very best to go back before it runs out. Time (and no doubt this blog) will tell if I succeed.
