We decided to come home on Friday because we felt that Sense would be missing us particularly as this was our second holiday in a month. At breakfast Jean realised that she had lost a bracelet possibly at the pub. Fortunately it had been found by the darts team and we were able to collect it as we set off home with our car just as full as when we arrived.
We decided to make further use of our English Heritage and stop on the way at Audley End House. It was quite close to the M11 near Cambridge. We would have found it difficult to justify visiting without our membership. The entrance fees would have been £22 even for pensioners!
We went round the house on the guided tour which did show us so much more than we would have seen by ourselves. The 'downstairs' rooms were interesting. Jean was horrified by the idea of two laundry maids having to manage 600 items of washing a week. The equipment required a lot of physical effort.
The kitchen garden is huge and the range of plants is fascinating. I'm sure that there are things that we missed but we did want to get through Peterborough before people started leaving work.
Even though we were bringing food home from Stibton Park, we had to call at Tesco's for a few essentials.
Sunday 23 October 2011
Holiday in Kent - Thursday 20/10/11
Early morning swim and then off to explore more of East Kent. First to Walmer Castle, which is not on such a grand scale as Dover but interesting. The audio commentary included various remarks about 'opening up rooms' and knocking down partitions. All very 'Location Location'. There were a lot of Duke of Wellington memorabillia including the chair in which he was sitting when he died. This may sound a bit morbid but actually it was one of those real history moments. There is a 'small' garden made for the Queen Mother in which she used to sit when she was older. This was about 10 times the size of our whole house and garden. The kitchen garden, also very big, had some interesting plants including 'Walking Stick Cabbage'. Absolutely enormous.
Lunch in the cafe and then on to Deal. There is a good bookshop but it has competition from an Oxfam Bookshop which has a lot of stock. It charges more than we do but we found some bargains.
Deal also has a pier. It was a lovely walk giving a wonderful view of the houses on the seafront. There were a lot of fishermen but there didn't appear to be catching any fish.
Also walking on the pier was a Turnstone. We didn't see it fly but we did see it go down a flight of stairs, jumping from one to the next.
We finished the tour in Sandwich. We walked along the line of the old town walls which was very pleasant as the sun was still shining. Joan would have liked to visit 'The Secret Gardens' but it was too late to get value from the entrance charge.
Dinner at the pub in the village. There was a menu at the house that was quite extensive but on Thursday night it was bar food which was OK. Steak and Kidney pies, Scampi and Curry washed down with London Pride. We all enjoyed it. Eating somewhere else was refreshing.
Lunch in the cafe and then on to Deal. There is a good bookshop but it has competition from an Oxfam Bookshop which has a lot of stock. It charges more than we do but we found some bargains.
Deal also has a pier. It was a lovely walk giving a wonderful view of the houses on the seafront. There were a lot of fishermen but there didn't appear to be catching any fish.
Also walking on the pier was a Turnstone. We didn't see it fly but we did see it go down a flight of stairs, jumping from one to the next.
We finished the tour in Sandwich. We walked along the line of the old town walls which was very pleasant as the sun was still shining. Joan would have liked to visit 'The Secret Gardens' but it was too late to get value from the entrance charge.
Dinner at the pub in the village. There was a menu at the house that was quite extensive but on Thursday night it was bar food which was OK. Steak and Kidney pies, Scampi and Curry washed down with London Pride. We all enjoyed it. Eating somewhere else was refreshing.
Holiday in Kent - Wednesday 19/10/11
To The Lighthouse
Well actually we first went to Dover Castle. Our only memories were of somewhere not very interesting and a cold grey day. What we found on a sunny but fairly cold day was far more interesting.
Until we arrived Jean had frequently mentioned that it was going to cost us £30 (at pensioners' rates). When we got there she was easily persuaded that membership of English Heritage at £54 was a real bargain.
The Great Tower is no longer empty. It has been furnished with reproduction items ranging from the kitchen to the king's bedroom over three floors. The effect is brilliant. Much of it is colourful and the items include weapons, musical instruments and games. Of course, in a building that is 800 years old, it could be argued that no one period is right, but we all know what a castle should look like and English Heritage have met our expectations well.
After lunch in the NAAFI restaurant, we moved on to see South Foreland Lighthouse which is a National Trust property above the White Cliffs. When we got to the car park we discovered that the lighthouse was closed but decided to do the 2 mile walk anyway. It is a great walk, very enjoyable in the October sunshine.
The GPS took us back to Lyminge by a rather tortuous route, very pretty but a little disturbing in the low bright sun.
Dinner was fish and chips from the chinese take away. The owner was very chatty.
Well actually we first went to Dover Castle. Our only memories were of somewhere not very interesting and a cold grey day. What we found on a sunny but fairly cold day was far more interesting.
Until we arrived Jean had frequently mentioned that it was going to cost us £30 (at pensioners' rates). When we got there she was easily persuaded that membership of English Heritage at £54 was a real bargain.
The Great Tower is no longer empty. It has been furnished with reproduction items ranging from the kitchen to the king's bedroom over three floors. The effect is brilliant. Much of it is colourful and the items include weapons, musical instruments and games. Of course, in a building that is 800 years old, it could be argued that no one period is right, but we all know what a castle should look like and English Heritage have met our expectations well.
After lunch in the NAAFI restaurant, we moved on to see South Foreland Lighthouse which is a National Trust property above the White Cliffs. When we got to the car park we discovered that the lighthouse was closed but decided to do the 2 mile walk anyway. It is a great walk, very enjoyable in the October sunshine.
The GPS took us back to Lyminge by a rather tortuous route, very pretty but a little disturbing in the low bright sun.
Dinner was fish and chips from the chinese take away. The owner was very chatty.
Holiday in Kent - Tuesday 18/10/11
Today we went in different directions. Joan and Ken wanted to go birdwatching in Dungeness but we can't do that all day and Jean really wanted to see the restored beetle wing dress that was worn by Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth. This was in the house in Small Hythe where Ellen Terry lived for many years until she died.
The dress is amazing and the house feels instantly homely, the sort of place where you want to sit down and soak up the atmosphere. Unfortunately that isn't allowed!. Upstairs there was a man who loves to talk about Ellen Terry and the people that she knew. I tried to engage him in a more general conversation about theatre but couldn't move him away from his obsession. It was a bit like a telephone cold call.
On the way to Small Hythe we called in Tenterden because Michael and Brenda had recommended it as an interesting high street. It is full of independent shops and has incredibly broad verges. We bought expensive wine and pasta in Waitrose, books in one charity shop and a giraffe egg cup in another.
On the way home from Small Hythe we called at the Ashford International Shopping Outlet. It was huge and awful!
In the evening we had dinner with other guests in the Long Room. It should have been interesting to hear other people's conversations but there was a certain sameness about the topics and opinions. The Gavi wine that we took to the meal was very good.
The dress is amazing and the house feels instantly homely, the sort of place where you want to sit down and soak up the atmosphere. Unfortunately that isn't allowed!. Upstairs there was a man who loves to talk about Ellen Terry and the people that she knew. I tried to engage him in a more general conversation about theatre but couldn't move him away from his obsession. It was a bit like a telephone cold call.
On the way to Small Hythe we called in Tenterden because Michael and Brenda had recommended it as an interesting high street. It is full of independent shops and has incredibly broad verges. We bought expensive wine and pasta in Waitrose, books in one charity shop and a giraffe egg cup in another.
On the way home from Small Hythe we called at the Ashford International Shopping Outlet. It was huge and awful!
In the evening we had dinner with other guests in the Long Room. It should have been interesting to hear other people's conversations but there was a certain sameness about the topics and opinions. The Gavi wine that we took to the meal was very good.
Holiday in Kent - Monday 17/10/11
Sissinghurst.
This was the primary objective for Joan. We had been with my Mum and Dad many years ago but although Joan and Ken have holidayed in this area it was always just too far away.
We three went for a walk so that Joan could examine the plants without us pushing her along.
My favorite room was a library which actually contained books that I have read. It was a comfortable if a bit scruffy room. Strangely only now are they cataloguing the books, at least on a computer.
The wind at the top of the tower was quite bracing but the view was worth it.
We had lunch from the new restaurant. Only sandwiches and soup on a table outside but there is a feeling of quality.
We drove back via Rye although we were not allowed on the most obvious road. We did some driving blind into dips in the road under the trees against the sun. It was a bit worrying.
This was the primary objective for Joan. We had been with my Mum and Dad many years ago but although Joan and Ken have holidayed in this area it was always just too far away.
We three went for a walk so that Joan could examine the plants without us pushing her along.
My favorite room was a library which actually contained books that I have read. It was a comfortable if a bit scruffy room. Strangely only now are they cataloguing the books, at least on a computer.
The wind at the top of the tower was quite bracing but the view was worth it.
We had lunch from the new restaurant. Only sandwiches and soup on a table outside but there is a feeling of quality.
We drove back via Rye although we were not allowed on the most obvious road. We did some driving blind into dips in the road under the trees against the sun. It was a bit worrying.
Holiday in Kent - Sunday 16/10/11
We were up fairly early and went down to the village to get the papers. It is quite a big village with some history to explore.
After breakfast we went to the sea. It was a lovely sunny morning with hardly any wind and Hythe is only about 5 miles away. We walked along the sea front which is generally rather smart and saw a very few people actually swimming. At the west end of the beach there was a warning sign that it is a working beach and there were fisherman gutting their catch on the shore.
At the other end we had ice creams made to Margaret Thatcher's design!
We drove on towards Folkstone but that was too busy to park even this late in the season. Managed to get some Innis and Gunn beer in Waitrose ( it is quite posh round here ) so back for lunch and said beer.
There is a decent sized swimming pool and a tiny gym. We all did some swimming before dinner which was something quite good involving Chicken and Pancetta from Tesco
After breakfast we went to the sea. It was a lovely sunny morning with hardly any wind and Hythe is only about 5 miles away. We walked along the sea front which is generally rather smart and saw a very few people actually swimming. At the west end of the beach there was a warning sign that it is a working beach and there were fisherman gutting their catch on the shore.
At the other end we had ice creams made to Margaret Thatcher's design!
We drove on towards Folkstone but that was too busy to park even this late in the season. Managed to get some Innis and Gunn beer in Waitrose ( it is quite posh round here ) so back for lunch and said beer.
There is a decent sized swimming pool and a tiny gym. We all did some swimming before dinner which was something quite good involving Chicken and Pancetta from Tesco
Monday 17 October 2011
Holiday in Kent - Saturday 15/10/11
Travelling to Kent for a week in a Holiday Bond place with Joan and Ken. Set off at 8am because of dire warnings about road works at the Dartford Bridge. There were road works but they didn't interfere with the traffic flow except that our intention of stopping at Thurock Services was thwarted by missing signs. We took the wrong exit from a roundabout and did a tour of the Thurock area without ever finding the services. Once over the bridge, it was all clear so we stopped at a country park for a short walk because we were too early for our lunchtime visit to Michael and Brenda in Yalding. We needn't have worried, another wrong turning and a very twisty single track road slowed us up some more. I hadn't remembered how difficult Yalding was, with multiple single track bridges and, on this occasion, a Framers' Market.
We expected a light lunch but we got three courses which were all very good but rather filling. The conversation was good as usual and we were able to finish lunch with coffee in the sunshine in the garden.
We didn't have to go back though Yalding but wished that that we had, as the GPS took us through Maidstone - not a good experience. Finally we were on the M20 for an easy ride down to Lyminge.
We all arrived at about the same time and were really impressed with the size of the apartment. We are on the ground floor with a huge living/dining room although the kitchen area is a bit pokey. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms and we have access to other rooms including one with a full size snooker table.
The buildings are in extensive grounds with various sporting options including croquet. There are some Jags in the car park but generally it does not seem too posh.
Dinner was bolognese sauce that Jean had brought but we could not manage much of it as we had eaten so much at Michael and Brenda's.
We expected a light lunch but we got three courses which were all very good but rather filling. The conversation was good as usual and we were able to finish lunch with coffee in the sunshine in the garden.
We didn't have to go back though Yalding but wished that that we had, as the GPS took us through Maidstone - not a good experience. Finally we were on the M20 for an easy ride down to Lyminge.
We all arrived at about the same time and were really impressed with the size of the apartment. We are on the ground floor with a huge living/dining room although the kitchen area is a bit pokey. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms and we have access to other rooms including one with a full size snooker table.
The buildings are in extensive grounds with various sporting options including croquet. There are some Jags in the car park but generally it does not seem too posh.
Dinner was bolognese sauce that Jean had brought but we could not manage much of it as we had eaten so much at Michael and Brenda's.
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