Dartford Sunday

Woke up this morning to hear of another attack in London. Horrible, how can this be stopped?

We had another big, slow breakfast with Di & Barry this morning. We were lucky that Di’s daughter, Sam, her husband Jim and their 2 beautiful girls Grace & Meggie were able to call in to say hello. What a loving, supportive family spanning 4 generations. We just loved seeing them all and were really sorry that we had to leave this morning, Di & Barry looked after us so well. The graffiti?? artist, Banksy, painted an impressive comment on the wall of a building set to be demolished in Dover. The ladder lookes real, with shadows adding to the reality.

 

We didn’t have far to go to Dartford Holiday Inn Express, but it took us all day. We were side tracked at Ramsgate when we saw a sign for a classic car show. Saw a group of interesting cars on the road and followed them to the foreshore park where there was a great range of cars. Lots of people, but we were lucky to find a parking spot right beside the entrance to the display area. Many Triumph Stags and lots of other classics that we don’t see at home. It was the annual “Bucket & Spade run”.

After we left, we drove via a pretty little village, Chilham, and sat outside in the sun with a good coffee (here we go again, focusing on the quality of the coffee, there will be many other comments about coffee).

Our final drive to Dartford should have taken about 30 mins, but took an extra hour because there was an “obstruction” on the motorway and we were stopped for most of the time. Bit more relaxed now, after a cool glass of New Zealand Sav Blanc. Wish we had bought more than 1 bottle, hopefully we can find another Morrisons supermarket and get some more.

Dover Saturday

A leisurely breakfast this morning, thanks Di. We set off to the National Trust Visitor Centre for the White Cliffs of Dover to walk along the cliff top. The lighthouse was about a 1 hour walk in warm weather with a very comfortable light breeze. On the way we stopped at the Fan Bay Deep Shelter, apparently discovered by accident after the National Trust bought the land and lifted a steel sheet that was on the ground. Below were a series of mostly filled in steps leading to the tunnels. The tunnels were built during the 2nd world war to house the troops manning the guns, the support staff and provisions.

Had a tour of the lighthouse with a very knowledgeable guide. The cafe at the lighthouse served a big selection of teas, coffee and cakes. After our big breakfast, we just had coffee (good plunger coffee) and a home made shortbread biscuit, almost the size of a saucer.

Bit breezier on the way back, but still very comfortable. The weather was dry, quite different to 4 years ago when we did the same walk, along very gooey, slippery chalk paths.

By the time we got back to the car, there was time to drive back into Dover for a wander around, then off to Morrisons Supermarket to get some wine for a very tasty dinner that Di prepared. With all the talking over dinner, it got late quickly. Having tried to write the blog before dinner and the blog software crashing every time we tried, we got back to it around 10:30 pm. Not sure how it started working again, tried uninstalling, reinstalling and fiddling, but it is now working. It’s been great spending time with Di, Barry, Mary & John and we’ll be sorry to leave them tomorrow.

 

Dover Friday

Lavazza coffee for breakfast at the Tunbridge Wells Travelodge! Was good. Had breakfast beside an open window with a slight breeze, life’s good. Hotel is a grand old building with high ceilings, totally different from the run of the mill travelodges.

Walked into town, about 10 mins, and had a wander around. Impressive Opera House. Found Poundland, a shop where everything costs a pound. Needed a USB cable for the phone to replace the one I can’t find; cost 1 pound. Bought a couple of sets of headphones so we didn’t have to use the uncomfortable bud things we get in the plane, should be much more comfortable. 1 pound each. Plastic plates and steel knife set for picnics and “casual dining” some nights, had to stop looking at things we didn’t need.

First stop today was Scotney Castle. The new house was built in 1837 and is a compact, comfortable size compared to many of the big castles. The old “house” is the remains of a medieval castle and moat. It’s all set in over 770 acres, spectacular.

One of us needed a canal/water fix, so we found Allington Lock, on the Medway River. There just happened to be the old toll house serving coffee, so we sat outside and just enjoyed the view. So relaxing (not that the holiday so far isn’t). We walked along beside the canal and stopped to chat with the owners of a wide barge (compared with a narrowboat) that they were just finishing the fitout of. We had a guided tour inside, so much room and lots of mod cons.

On to Dover to See Di, Barry, Mary and John. We had a great welcome and we were very pleased to see them and see just how well they all looked. Seems like only yesterday that we last saw them, but it was 2 years ago. We’ve settled into our room and will be joining them for dinner soon.

In the air Wednesday and Royal Tungridge Wells Thursday

Wednesday: We were sorry to leave Singapore , we really enjoyed the ease of getting around, the food ($3.50 each for a good noodle with pork from a local hawker market) was really good and the hotel staff were very helpful. We’ll book the same hotel for the stopover on the way home. The flight from Singapore to London was long, but mostly very smooth and clear.FWortunately, the memory of the long flight fades quickly. Window seat was great. Looking down over the Middle East was fascinating. So apparently dry, with beautiful sand patterns, not sure whether they were from wind or water. Lots of very sharp, creased mountains, again looking very dry and inhospitable, but beautiful. Then there were snow capped mountains, didn’t even consider snow in the Middle East.

Had an incredibly fast (especially compared to the last UK trip) pass through immigration and customs and then rang the car people to be picked up. Back to the car depot, signed some papers, worked out where the steering wheel was (small almost round thing in front of the seat on the other side), set the GPS and headed off to Thatchers Hotel in East Horsley, about 1/2 hour from Heathrow. Missed one turn and saw extra country side. We were just a little tired when we got there, so a drink in the bar and bed by 10, local time but 5am Singapore time. Didn’t sleep well, so hoping for a good sleep tonight. Great little car the Peugeot 208. Luggage fits perfectly in the back, out of sight.

Good breakfast and planning for the day, no rush. First stop was the River Wey Navigation, operated and maintained solely by the National Trust. Went on a very peaceful 45 min boat ride on a 12 seater electric boat, very quiet. The system was built in 1653, extended in 1764, went into decline and became operational again. It is the most southerly section of canal that is connected to the main canal system to the north. Today”s quote would have to be: “If your dog fouls, please bag it up and take it away” What do you do with the poo?

We headed off to an old mill, couldn’t find it and found out that it was not open today. We then couldn’t find another section of canal that is in the process of being rejuvenated and went to look at Chiddingstone Village, a very small village with some very attractive old buildings.

Old Soar Manor was the next stop. Dating from 1290, there is not a lot left of this medieval Knight’s house, but we were able to see the undercroft and the Solar (living room with lots of light). The solar had a spectacular crown-post-collar-purlin roof, one of the oldest to survive in England.

By now, it was time to head to the, dare we admit it, Travelodge in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Checked in and visited Sainsburys for supplies. We decided to “eat in simply” tonight after all our eating in Singapore, on the plane and breakfast this morning.

Dover tomorrow night and the next, with Di, Barry, Mary & John. Lots to see between Tunbridge Wells and Dover.

Pre dinner wine finished, blog finished, so time to have something to eat and??