We are people who long to inhabit the places we read about, so I'll share travel experiences here often!

Hever Castle, Kent. Anne Boleyn's childhood home with an honest to God moat, and where it's believed Henry VIII proposed.

Half of a face is how I take selfies most of the time...we both know the site I visited is more interesting than my face, anyway.

I mentioned our rainforest walk near the Arenal volcano, Costa Rica, in an early episode. I had finished Moscow X that morning.

Beer bottles in Aruba come with instructions.

Reading The Beekeeper's Apprentice on the beach, a lovely book written by Laurie King continuing Sherlock Holmes' story during his retirement years along with a young protege.

Outside Dr. Johnson's house in London. This stop was a last minute agenda addition because I listened to The Rest is History podcast multi-episode arc on the doctor right before my trip.

Van Gogh's Sunflowers in London.  

Teenager sighting at our AirBnb in Aruba. I don't know if I can go back if we don't stay in this same place again...affordable, views, oceanfront, and far from the maddening crowds...

The bird that sounds like a velociraptor video game I mentioned in the Costa Rica episode. Their nests look like giant hanging grass purses, and their sound is creepy.

Churchill's private bedroom at Chartwell in Kent. Incredibly modest room for a such a big historical figure. I saw his room as part of a special event that included an expert led tour focused on Churchill's passion for amateur painting. Interestingly, his bedroom is not available as part of the main tour. Yes, I saw the bathtub that he was known to dictate letters from, as well.

Road trip home from Gaffney, SC, where we picked up Rip the Rhodesian Ridgeback when he was 8 weeks old and far from the 80+ pounds of muscle he is now.... Six hours there and six back in one day, of which I drove approximately 30 minutes. Someone had to hold the puppy...

 

A small, single day's book buying haul from Waterstones + Thames view from my room at The Sea Containers hotel, London, at night. Arguably the best part of the trip was reading at night with that view and a glass of wine after touring all day. Listen to the episode where we talk about the 'how we read on vacation' in The Tavern. I have strong opinions about reading with a view on vacation.

Temple Church is heavily associated with the Knights Templar (London). I need Hist Fic recommendations from the Templar - I have yet to find one I really got into!!

More to come, just getting warmed up here...