Day 8: English Real Estate

THURSDAY ITINERARY: Went to Knole House, took long nap, ate dinner, went to
bed.
The gorgeous Knole House, taken by star photographer, Mr. Linnell

Us in front of Knole House (notice the window between Gabrielle and Revie that made its appearance in the Other Boleyn Girl)

Deer roaming about the grounds

Also laying about the grounds

Isabella showing off her lovely hat in the Courtyard

Revie, being gorgeous as usual

Madeline being strange as usual

Madeline modeling Isabella's beautiful sunhat

Getting a head start on that nap

Madeline: Walking in the presence of Natalie Portman was incredibly exciting. The scenes from The Other Boleyn Girl that used Knole House included the Courtyard and inside looking out the window that is present in the second photograph. We all wanted to watch the movie tonight, but being quite exhausted decided it best not to. In fact, we all crashed for several hours after getting back from the relaxing day at the Knole House. With each day, we get older and older, we passed mature adult several days ago, and are now moving quite quickly into crotchety old women (we'll be able to relate to our parents much better on our return). Now we're spending the night getting ready for tomorrow (I might need to start packing my suitcase soon so that it will be much easier when we actually leave). It's not too late to donate money so that I can live happily in England for the rest of my life. I've set up a Fund-Madeline-In-England Charity complete with a PayPal account for anyone who would like, all proceeds go straight to the charity, and it's really doing a public service to the world. I promise all donations will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Only you can stop my return to America, and time is running out.

Gabrielle: Knole was lovely. It's buried in the Kent countryside, which itself is lovely although it was the cheapest spot on my old British *Monopoly* set (games can be deceiving). The rooms felt a little bit inadequate, however, because it seemed they needed a Gothic ghost to roam its halls. Although Tudor-era players like Thomas Cranmer and Henry VIII lived there once, I felt it was in its essence a place for writers like Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf to re-imagine Victorian horror stories. It's got that vibe, don't you know, and it was fun. The Venetian Ambassador's room was my favorite, especially since he had a Dressing Room. I want a dressing room when I return or I will commandeer someone else's room for the purpose. That's how Henry got Knole, in fact. (Thanks, Grandee, for the piccies!)

Revie: To begin with my fact of the day's so I don't forget: firstly, bathrooms in London are quite scarce because their are no bathrooms in restaurants or any other shops for that matter. Fact number 2 is that deer, epically baby deer, can just be cute as our cartoon character Bambi. It was a fun day with Stephine, little Isabella is such a delight, and Mr. & Mrs. Linnell were so obliging, taking us to Knole House which is in the next county( 2 hrs. away). If you will please record the two Women's and Men's Finale's at Wimbledon, because we will be gone and I wish to see it. Also dear mother If you could cancel my foot appointment on the sixth it would be great because my foot hurts and I would love to not haft to think about it on my seven hour flight( my reasoning is that I have walked so much on it, If I wait a few days and try to get it down, it will hopefully work better, but if you can't, I understand). Thank you for your comments they are nice. Love you all, Rev