HIGH HALDEN — I’ve enjoyed a really good run of weather since I arrived in England. Today, if I remember correctly, was only the second day that it has rained consistently but the first that has affected my sightseeing. The forecast is for more rain tomorrow but as I will be inside at the Centre for Kentish Studies the weather can do what it likes—just as long as it clears up for Thursday.

Today I went to Bodiam Castle—the epitome of what a medieval castle should be like. But, as I found out, there is some question over whether it was built primarily as a defensive structure or as a fashion statement. For example, the moat can be too easily drained to be a serious obstacle to any attacking army but it does help the castle to look impressive.
The castle wasn’t the only impressive thing on show. The carp in the moat were at least twice the length of the ducks swimming over the top of them.