I am a descendant of the Queen and the Duke—or at least I like to believe so. Our family tree traces back to the age of knights and honor. My ancestors held great significance to the castle, as their seal was forged there. However, our lineage only goes as far back as basket weavers for the Duke of... This is not a tale of being knighted once again, but rather a journey to uncover my roots.
A chilly day greeted me as I disembarked the plane at Heathrow. A woman dressed in red, standing beside the van that would serve as our home for the next month, welcomed me. After embracing my parents, whom I hadn't seen in months due to their travels in the UK, it was time to explore our new abode and acquire some warmer clothes. What may be a winter for an Australian is merely a summer for an Englishman.
Our first destination was Windsor. We crossed the river, heading towards Elton College, and then returned to Windsor Castle. The Frakes family, my kin, gathered outside the castle's grand gates for the customary photo op. Curiously enough, our presence seemed to have scared away most of the tourists.
After our enjoyable tour around Windsor Castle, it was back to the motorhome where I would be sleeping on the floor for the entire month while my partner luxuriated in a nice, soft, comfortable, warm, and spacious bed. At least I managed to acquire a nice pillow. Our journey continued with several stops on our way down to Cornwall, where the rest of the family resided.
In Bath, we marveled at the awe-inspiring Roman history. Duster Castle offered breathtaking views from its mountain-top perch, and, of course, we couldn't pass up a visit to the legendary home of King Arthur, Tintagel. But our adventure didn't end there; there was still more of England to explore. Stonehenge beckoned, and thanks to my resourceful father, we discovered a hidden dirt road just 100 meters past the entrance. That secluded spot became our camping ground. The following morning, as the sun rose, we were treated to a truly mesmerizing sight.
After a night spent under the stars at Stonehenge and a sunrise that will forever remain one of my favorites, we ventured on to St. Michael's Mount. This castle, built around the 12th century, sits on a tidal island. We had the unique opportunity to walk out to it, but caution was necessary as staying too long would mean a wet journey back, possibly requiring a snorkel.
Our next destination was Winchester, where we encountered a slight car problem. As my holiday drew to a close and my parents still had another year to go, they bought me a train ticket to London. With heartfelt goodbyes to my family, I spent my last 10 days in London, exploring the city's iconic landmarks with the company of newfound friends.
