A pleasant day out

Yesterday (Sunday), John, me, & my Mum & Dad took Kasey and Ebony on a day out at Groombridge Place & Enchanted Forest in Kent. It's actually in the village of Groombridge which is near Tunbridge Wells. It absolutely tipped down with rain on the way there but died down by the time we arrived. However, taking no chances, our illuminous orange rainproof macs from Alton Towers were close at hand.

First, we explored the beautiful formal gardens around the house and had a bite to eat. Then we got into a boat which took us up to the Enchanted Forest. The name conjours up some wonderful ideas of fairies and goblins and such like but it was a bit of a disappointment. Instead there were dinosaurs which appeared to be made out of cane, some swings, some gypsy caravans, a wigwam, some ponds and a totem pole. Really not that much for kids to do despite the recommendation. The rain started again too, quite heavy at times.

During the walk through the woods, there was a deer with lovely antlers standing by a tree, reasonably close. We passed it off as being stuffed as it didn't move for ages. Then suddenly it did move and we were so surprised - usually deer as so timid, most would have run away at the sight of humans. I guess they are used to people. A bit further on there was a few more deer and then in an enclosure, a zeedonk (half zebra half donkey). It basically looked like a donkey with stripey legs! There was a baby donkey with him. Aah! So cute! They eventually came over so we patted them for a while.

By this time, the sun was out and it was getting really warm. We headed back to the gardens again and Ebony wanted to have a game of chess with giant pieces. We had a rest for a while and then headed out. On the way we noticed a small exhibiton of the film Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley. There was a small box which contained some old fashioned hats so this was a good opportunity for our 'silly hat moment'. The best one was of John and my Dad (shown above). Hehe!

The plan was to find somewhere on the way home to have a bite to eat but there wasn't much doing. One pub we stopped at said outside 'Food Served All Day' but when he went inside they said they'd finished at 4 o'clock!! So instead, we decided to go all the way and have some dinner at my parents'.