England 2025

 Devastatingly sad to end our Tour this morning but lots of fun to be had before we left. Sarah, Adam, Estelle and several of our new passenger friends left direct from Hever, so lots of sad farewells and promises to stay in touch. I hope we do, we had a wonderful group! Sad farewells Photobombed by Henry VIII David came to say goodbye David (Henry) came to say goodbye to us all and you won't be surprized, from the top knot on his head, to learn that he also does educational appearances at schools, Festivals, Events and private functions as a Viking as well as being Henry VIII. Henry would be horrified, but the rest of us think it's fantastic! We were dropped at Waterloo Station and then all went our separate ways. Personally, I don't see why we can't start all over again from the beginning. I checked in and then spent the afternoon at Borough Market. Bought lots of fresh fruit, including chocolate-covered strawberries - that's healthy, right?! Yum, but also, unless...

 Had a spectacular breakfast (Hever don't do anything by halves!) and then, the final morning of our Tour was spent in the most beautiful room, listening to almost 4 hours of talks from 3 amazing Tudor Historians. Our Tour's Historian In Residence, Estelle Paranque, who has been absolutely incredible for this whole week and who I just love to absolute pieces, Sandra Vasoli (who joined us yesterday and is disgustingly lovely, I can't cope with how much I love everybody we've encountered this entire trip) and Sophie Bacchus-Waterman who is the cutest little old lady in a young woman's body you've ever seen. Estelle talked about Anne Boleyn's connections with France, Sandy has been to the Vatican library (an unbelievable honour even in the World of Historians, not many people get permission and are permitted) and has studied the original love letters that remain from Henry to Anne. So beautiful and awe-inspiring - but how is it possible that somebody SO in love...