Anne Boleyn Experience Day 1
Posted By Claire on May 17, 2010
Annika in the dress worn by Lady Rochford in TOBG
Well, we’re here at Hever Castle and it is amazing! The day started out stressful and upsetting in that a few people couldn’t get to the UK for the tour because of the stupid volcanic ash cloud, which I have nicknamed Henry, but most of us are here now and have had a wonderful evening.
London Pick-up
I have to say a big thank you to everyone for being on time (early in fact) for the meeting at Victoria Station in Central London, the only drawback was the coach being late but it gave us time to chat and wind down from travelling. The journey back through the Kent countryside really showed us why Kent is called “The Garden of England”, it was so green and pretty and I think we all fancy living here now!
Hever Castle
We haven’t seen the castle properly yet but the Astor Wing is amazing in itself, many of us just couldn’t help staring at all of the wooden carvings and pannelling which surrounded us in the Tudor Suite dining room at dinner. We all enjoyed our three course dinner with wine and some Henry VIII and wives chocolates to finish. I particularly enjoyed finally meeting the people who I’ve been corresponding with for months – they are all wonderful people.
Surprise Guest
Tonight was to be an informal evening as we were all pretty tired. We enjoyed looking through our goody bags of books and then we had chatted to actress Annika Hammerton who was a lady-in-waiting to Jane Seymour in Season 3 of The Tudors. Annika joined us for dinner and then shared her on-set photos with us, as well as lots of stories about “Jonny” and Henry Cavill (swoon!), and two beautiful dresses that she owns which were used in the movie “The Other Boleyn Girl”. Annika charmed us all and we had a great time listening to her and admiring her costumes and photos. Thanks Annie!
End of a Tiring Day
We’ve all had a very tiring day, particularly those who flew in amidst the chaos of Heathrow Airport today, but it has been a great start to The Anne Boleyn Experience 2010. We’re looking forward to our full day at Hever tomorrow – to walk in Anne’s footsteps will be a wonderful experience.
Tune in tomorrow to find out what we get up to then.
You can see more photos on our special Anne Boleyn Files Flickr Page – http://www.flickr.com/photos/50348361@N08/sets/72157624082529402/
Hi Claire and everyone at Hever,
SO Jealious of everyone there! Just finished looking at all the pictures, I still have a huge smile on my face! Looks like a lovely time. OMG how does it feel to actually be in the same house that Anne Boleyn lived ? Can’t believe or imagine how it must feel to be there. Now I know why things keep happening to keep my husband and I from coming. Wayne (my husband) was trying to make me feel better and he just called to tell me that our flight would have been cancelled cause of the volcano’s ash cloud (Claire I LOVE your nickname for it…..how appropriate)! Guess everything happens for a reason. Know everyone is busy, have a great time and keep us posted.
Your friend in the California,
Tracy
So jealous! I hope you all have a great time. Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Volcanic ash can’t stop an AB fan LOL! Claire, I hope you can get photos of everyone on the tour. Wishing I didn’t have to work, Lisa P.S. Have a drink of wine for me in honor of Anne.
Wow what a great surprise for everyone…I am so jealous :} Maybe next year we can join in on all the fun. Thanks for sharing with us…for now I live vicariously through your posts…lol
It sounds like you guys are having a great time – so envious! =D Hope you have a great time tomorrow and I can’t wait to read all about it. xo
oh! you are a very lucky girl!!! i wish i could be there!!
LOL, it is funny reading complaints about the “stupid volcanic ash cloud” as I sit here in Washington State, one day short of the 30th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, where we learned some rather valuable lessons on how dangerous those ash clouds could be to jet engines.
Sounds like an amazing time for all is just starting! I am SOO jealous!
Thanks for this virtual AB experience 2010! I wish I could be there. Have fun, everyone!
I’m so jealous! LOL!
guys, i really do envy you. its not nice, but i do. enjoy your trip :))))))))))))
I wish I was there!!! Have a great time full of Anne stories!! By the way, nice nickname for the cloud! 😉
If you do this again next year I want to come! Such a good idea, and it sounds like an amazing experience already and you guys just got there!
ooh, so wish I was there!!! Cheers!
I wish I could have gone this year, How unfortunate, I will be sure to come the year following, At least hope too.It must be interesting to view the one time home of Anne Boleyn aswell as meet a costumed guide who happens actually to be guide in disguise as she really is an actress who played a lady in waiting to Jane Seymour in the Tudors, I sure would have liked to have met her, I wonder if that is how she started off, Working as a guide in a historical place before she became a actress on television, It often makes me wonder.
I’ve looked at my skin and appear to have turned a pale green shade…
Keep the updates and photos coming! Looks like a wonderful time already!!!
Oh I’m a little jealous too! I hope that you all have a great time!
Thanks for sharing the “experience” with us!
Like everyone else, I’m so jealous, and I love your nickname for the ash cloud, Claire! I hope everyone has a great time!
Okay, next year I must get there somehow! Like all of the above, I am green with envy! I know you will continue to have a terrific time!
Yep…I’m jealous! LOL I only got to see Hever on a self-tour back in 2000 — you all are living the life! But Annika’s gown — OMG! That is just gorgeous! I’m checking out the pics on Flickr and then will move on to Day 2!