The Royal Oak

No. Not the pub.

This is the real Royal Oak, at Boscobel House, where young Charles (later King Charles II ) hid to avoid capture in 1651. His father King Charles I had been executed in 1649, and young Charles had finally accepted that he needed to flee the country during the Civil War.

This is the original oak tree but it was struck by lightning. Tree specialists say that it's ok for the next 100 years but just in case, our current Prince Charles planted a seedling from the original by its side.

Both are protected by fencing and are an easy walk from Boscobel House.

Our weather was dramatic - blue sky - dark sinister clouds, crazy heavy downpours and warm sun.....

We headed off to White Ladies Priory for a quick glance, before my friend caught the train from Lichfield Trent Valley station back to London.