Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit England. The trip was a memorable one; not only was I in Europe for the first time, but I was on vacation with my parents, brother and sister for the first time in 25 years.

We traveled to a small village in England, and stayed in a castle that was built in the time of King Henry VIII. In fact, King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn had stayed at this very castle. The portion of the castle that was a hotel had been completely redone; all the amenities were in evidence. But there was another part of the castle that had not had any restoration done since the 1500's, and that was the part I set out to explore at dawn the next morning.

I found secret hidey holes covered in green ivy, with stone steps leading down to another level. There were still arrow windows, in very good shape. There were piles of stones and slate that had evidently been in use at one time, but were now just junk, gathering moss. Ivy, weeds and flowers wove their way around and through the stone in some places. An enemy could not break through the walls, but a pretty little plant could be their demise.

I sat down on one of the steps, and let my mind wander. What had these walls seen....

Men in armor, hovering over a stone fireplace built into the wall to keep warm. They were keeping watch toward the river for enemy ships.

The clip-clop of horse hooves coming to the castle gate. The clatter of a wagon bringing fresh supplies for the day's meals.

Many, many years later, the sound of airplanes buzzing overhead, and an air raid siren starting its lonely wail. Did anyone run to these walls for shelter?

And now, some silly woman, sitting on a step with a camera and daydreaming.

I took many pictures that day. I wish we could have stayed longer. There were other places to discover and explore.

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