This one's especially for you, Daddy

Philip & I joined the National Trust which gives us entry to lots of historic sites (primairly estates throughout the UK). He and I are pretty anti-commercialism anti-tourism as much as possible when it comes to traveling, so this is a great (and cost effective!) opporutunity to explore the places that nationals vacation to.

Last week we picked a point on the map and drove to a site called Winpole Farm. It served as a model farm in Cambridgeshire that was built in the late 1700s. I tell you, this "farmhouse" on the estate was pretty swanky. It looked more like a house and garden that would be inhabited by someone with royal blood.

Though the farm piece of it didn't feel super authentic (kind of the "Nelson Farm" of England for those of you from rural MN) but I was SOOOOO excited to see the pigs. It was interesting getting to see some of the more rare British breeds that common breeds in the US have some characteristics from. I really wanted to hold one of the baby pigs but didn't think fast enough when one snuck out of the pen and waddled by me (they let the babies roam because they always wander back to mom when they are hungry). For those of you don't know, my parents had a livestock operation with pigs when I was growing up and they are my favorite favorite animal. I'm not a huge animal person but I have a weak spot in my heart for farm animals, ESPECIALLY pigs.

Philip saw this sign by the old tractors and started laughing. He immediately thought of my dad (who loves rebuilding old tractors)

I was amazed at the main barn - it had a thached roof. Can you say fire hazard!?

While at the farm we hiked through a field of grazing sheep and beef to see a gothic tower that had been built so that there would be a pleasant focal point overlooking the gardent when looking out from the main dining room in the house.

Farmers often have an adage about corn "knee high by the 4th of July" Well, just for my parents I took the traditional 4th of July picture of the corn in our garden. Definately more shin-lengthed this year :) Today Philip and I "celebrated" the 4th with a pretty relaxed day (he leaves at 5:30 am tomorrow to go to New Jersey for awhile, so travel over the long weekend was ruled out). I worked some in the garden today and we went on a beautiful exploratory hike/walk by the river that runs through the village.