Shere, "the village that stood still"

Think of your favorite film ... now think of where it was set. 

The Holiday is mine ... and Shere is where it was filmed. 

This picturesque English village is one not to be missed. With its adorable thatched cottages, tudor style pub, friendly museum keepers, ancient church and lovely tea room ... (I could go on forever). I've seen it described as "the village that stood still" and "the village that never changed", both are quite appropriate, as I felt like I'd stepped back in time. 

I've wanted to visit this lovely corner of the world ever since I watched The Holiday for the first time, a day I will never forget - Andrew had just left Washington after visiting for a few weeks. I was very upset. After speaking to him after he'd arrived in England, he recommended that I watch the Holiday and "think about how nice it will be to visit England someday soon". That night, I sat up in bed and dreamt of visiting the village that Cameron Diaz calls "idyllic" in the film. 

Upon arrival, we had a great time meeting some of the locals and hearing their stories about how the seemingly quiet village has almost always been used as a backdrop for films and television. After visiting a very welcoming museum and grabbing a very fancy hot chocolate and some cakes from the Dabbling Duck, we set off to find the site of "Rosehill Cottage". It felt so strange to be standing where the magnificent little cottage from the film once stood. (originally made of fiberglass, it has since been taken down). 

After wandering and doing a bit of shopping in the Shere Shop (the cutest gift shop ever) we ended our wonderful day at the White Horse with a Kopparberg, lasagna, salmon salad and an Irish Creme. 

It was the day my dreams became memories.

My Very Own Flat Pack Home

The other day on my way out of Upnor Castle, I stopped in the gift shop and ended up finding the cutest paper house kits ever. They're by a company called English Village Designs, designed by a woman named Anne Hoskins (englishvillagedesigns.co.uk). There are over 20 different designs, some more difficult than others. The entire collection makes up a complete miniature English village. I think I found a new hobby. 

I've always loved pop-up books and all kinds of dioramas, and because these ones were less than £2, I was happy to leave the castle shop with two of them, and intend to go back for more. I couldn't wait to get started on my first, so yesterday night I made myself some tea, and began to build my very own "flat pack home". With all the careful cutting out and glueing that had to be done, it ended up taking me about an hour and a bit to complete my mini Manor House. 

I was surprised at how accomplished I felt after each tiny wall went up. I really did feel like I was a giant putting together a real flat pack home, just like the ones of the UK home network show, (My Flat Pack Home). According to the show, to create a real flat pack cottage only takes a day or two. If they weren't so expensive, I might have wanted my very own thatched cottage shipped over to my parents' back yard at home - like this one here. For now though, I will leave the life size building to Andrew and continue to build my little English village. 

Sometimes I wish the shrinking potion from Alice in Wonderland was real. 

Tiny worlds are the most enchanting thing of all. 

Upnor. Mysterious and Quaint

Before bed last night Julie asked if I'd like to go to work with her. I said yes even before she said where she'd be working. Julie works in some of the most beautiful places I've ever been. So this morning she dropped me at Upnor, a very small and quaint village along the Medway River. My destination - the very mysterious Upnor Castle. Julie and I have visited before, but never have I ventured into the fort walls by myself! I kept myself up all night thinking about it ... would I see a ghost? Would I get taken my a mysterious spirit? "It's the sight of a famous battle" I said to myself, "there has to be something lurking".

After saying goodbye to Julie, I walked up a short path to the castle gate I was surprised to find that the gate was closed. I found a seat outside the nearby pub and waited for an answer. Soon after, the clock tower sounded and a little old lady passed me. "Are you waiting for the castle dear?" she said, "yes" I answered. "Well, it's open now" she said very excitedly. I spoke to her for a minute about what she called "her castle". She told me that she'd lived in Upnor since the 1950s and that the dog she was walking was nearly blind, but knew the streets well. It was a great morning chat. As we parted I noticed a funny looking man walking towards the castle. I didn't see him enter the gate, but he walked as if he were late to something. Anyway, I bought my ticket in the gift shop (only 3 quid) and spoke to the keeper. He told me that I was very lucky to have the castle all to myself. Although I was happy to be able to wander freely, I was also a little hesitant. Needless to say, I skipped buying the ghost guide.

A photo frenzy began as I came closer to the grand Elizabethan building, the sun made the river look sparkling. A tugboat passed by. I began snapping away and couldn't stop. UNTIL ... I stopped to take a photo of a this doorway and suddenly a figure flashed past it (inside the building). I stopped breathing entirely. I felt like running, hiding, getting away somehow. I know this is kinda gross but I thought I might have to check my pants because I absolutely (as the English say) sh*t myself. Anyway, I quickly made my way to another part of the property where I could observe the area. I soon realized that the figure I'd seen was the strange man from the high street. Phew! Only wait ... is that a dress? The man was wearing a skirt. What did I say, Upnor is a mysterious place.

After that little dilemma, I decided to toughen up and make my way into the tunnel leading to the river side (front) of the castle (seen below). The door (black and white below) was scary enough. Julie and I had said, when we visited before, that if there were any ghosts lurking in the castle, they would most definitely be in or around the tunnel. I took a deep breath and put on my "tunnel vision", focused on the light at the end and made my way through. Phew! again. I made it to the other side and continued my photographic frenzy, crazily clicking and snapping. After getting all the right shots, I made my way back into the castle to find that I'd been accompanied by a few other tourists, who had bought the audio tours (hmm..). I was glad that I was no longer alone, especially if creepy skirt man was sneaking around.

At this point, my feet were getting tired from walking up and down many ancient staircases and cobblestone steps. I retired my photo frenzy for a minute and did my best at taking it all in. I noticed the same steam tugboat I saw earlier helping a barge back down the river. Before leaving, I admired a fence full of newly born ladybugs (or ladybirds) on a picket fence bordering the grounds. I also had time to stop into the gift shop on the way out and buy some do-it-yourself pop up tudor models (post to follow). After I payed, the keeper in the shop gave me a quick lesson on the castle, English Heritage and its connections to the U.S (must be my accent) before I said my final goodbyes. Before meeting Julie I sat along the high street and treated myself to a coffee at the nearby Shepherd's Neame. I took my time on my way to the car park, admiring each and every lavender stem and blue door that I passed.

It was a perfect morning. A perfect adventure.