Kent

Spent the morning in the Weald. 

"The Weald is an area in South East England situated between the parallel chalk escarpments of the North and the South Downs. The Weald once was covered with forest, and its name, Old English in origin, signifies woodland. The term is still used today, as scattered farms and villages sometimes refer to the Weald in their names." (Wikipedia)

Typical of the cottages in this area - Weald timber and Sussex clay tiles.

We drove to the delightful village of Sissinghurst and Sissinghurst Castle.  Famous for Vita Sackville-West and the extraordinary garden she created out of a ruin of a ancient manor house. 

It is called a castle but in fact it has never been one! The French prisoners of war (Seven Years War) in the 1700s referred to their prison as Chateau du Sissinghurst. They destroyed much of the original manor house. Darn French.

Wonderful views from the tower.

Later it became a Workhouse for the district, falling into even more disrepair. 

Today though, it remains  a spectacular garden and house for visitors to enjoy.

Later drove onto Folkestone and Dover before catching the ferry to Dunkirk.

Dover - the ferry line!!

Cloudy Kent

The South Downs, with its rolling hills, was a picture of mist and low clouds as we woke this morning. The magnificent view from last evening was a little less enticing today.

Neither of us were keen to get moving quickly - so enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before a slow departure for Kent. 

We made our way to the village of Burwash where Rudyard Kiplings home, Batemans, was open for visitors. 

Batemans garden pond and house.

The rain had cleared by the time we arrived allowing for a good wander around the gardens and the house. But it decided to spoil the visit by starting to rain again. Fortunately we were ready to return to the Hilton this not getting too wet in the process. 

Mellow Sussex stone - quarried on site.

The Oast House at Batemans. 

Flowering honeysuckle.

After lunch we drove on to Johns Cross to  buy two parts for the fridge. This being done we headed up the road to Robertsbridge for the rest of the afternoon and evening. 

West Sussex

Mad dogs and Englishmen came looking for the midday sun! 

Some of the colour at Nyman's later in the day.

The rain started early this morning and didn't stop to well into the afternoon. Can't complain - it has been the first rain we have seen in past ten days.

Rain, spray, puddles and fast cars! Not a good mix.

Time to sort out a few things in the van. Needed to chase down a door catch for the fridge. Some companies were less than helpful while others were very obliging - but we still haven't ended up with a catch - the screw will have to do for a few more days. I'll order one off eBay and get Maddie to bring with her in a fortnight's time. 

Browsed a couple of shopping centres before the rain ceased after lunch. So Helene got to see the Nyman's Garden after all. Very beautiful.

Later drove to the Windmill at Hassock where we will be spending the evening. What a magnificent view across West Sussex. 

One down side - it's very windy!

Great Bookham

What a contrasting day from yesterday! Cloud cover and cool all day - typical English weather as we remember it! We were not eager to move on from the park at Englefield Green, however, we did get going by mid-morning, setting our radar to Great Bookham and the park,house and garden at Polesden Lacey.

 

View into the iris garden.

We arrived at Polesden Lacey early, we thought, but the natives had already arrived in great numbers! We wondered if there was some special event happening. But no, they were here with their chairs and rugs ready for a day of picnicking - the cool day wasn't going to put a dampener on having a good time on a long-weekend.

Picnic lawn - a few hardy souls braving the elements!

We organised ourselves to take the guided tour of the grounds and a follow-up introduction to the history of the house. Both excellent choices.

Main entrance at Polesden Lacey.

It appears that Polesden Lacey was the party location for the rich and famous - kings, queens, ministers, and society folk all were guests at different stages.

A very homely, yet stately property. 

Chinese porcelain vases.

The glittering saloon.

The dining room.

The handkerchief tree in flower.

Cotswold 2

A very slow morning with a sleep-in being the order of the day from all quarters. The family breakfast was organised for a mid to late time schedule. 

A dragonfly like insect, on James' car , caught our attention.

By midday we were all set to depart for Stow-on-the-Wold, with James opting for  the clear sky's at Peterborough sky diving. 

Arrived at Stow-on-the-Wold, found a convientent parking spot - at very limited supply due to Stow-on-the-Wold's popularity (Reminder, don't visit the Cotswolds on a weekend). 

The ancient market square at Stow-on-the-Wold. 

The shoppers!

The Porch House claimed to be the oldest Inn in England.

... door way.

Time to leave!

Took some time wandering this old village - the highest village in the whole of the Cotswolds. Many shops were explored before heading back to the van and our next stop at Northleach for lunch. 

The lush growth, greenery and hawthorn and cow- parsley blossom sets the scene for a scenic landscape.

Later we drive on to Bibury before we had to high tail it to the railway station for Maddie to get back to London. 

We drove on a short distance to our overnight at Englefield Green. 

Another lovely day with the family. They all go so quickly. 

Extras:

Kids and Cotswold

Hello Bernard's and Helene's travelling blog, I've read you for many years, but this is the first time I've been invited to write.

Today started as many others, I woke up in my lovely apartment in the grungy, soulful, Bowie born and bred, Brixton. I caught the tube to meet my brother near Moorgate, and from there we started our journey to reunite with out mum and dad.

I have to admit, it was a glamorous journey with the roof off which made driving through the fields of canola an unparalleled experience, but most importantly, England unveiled the sun. 

We arrived in the Cotswolds to meet an excitable mother leaning out of the motor home strategically parked admidst lush greenery, serenity and fresh mosquito lavae. We were weirdly at home despite being in a place I'd never been before.

Bourton-on-the-Water has proven to be a delightful place to enjoy good beer and good company!  

A Bernard note:

Interesting drive this morning from Cookham to Bourton-on-the-Water - we saw numerous large billboards for the "No" vote for the UK to exit the EU but none for the Remain campaign. But the Remain vote is still way ahead in the polls. 

It had been a wonderful day -  quality time spent with Maddie and James. 

A day of people photos!!

Chiltern Hills

A rather spectacular part of southern England. The Chiltern Hills form a chalk escarpment in South East England. They are known locally as "the Chilterns". Expensive views and houses are dotted through this part of Buckinghamshire. 

A very pleasant morning in Great Missenden before "wandering" through the hills to High Wycombe. More shopping and then back to the Manor House, Hughenden. 

Hughenden is famous for being the residence 19th century Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, who lived here from 1848 to 1881. 

Disraeli statue dominates the entrance porch at Hughenden.

View of the garden from an upstairs room. 

Meissen porcelain at Hughenden.

It also doubled as a secret WWII map making centre, critical to the air war raging across Europe. Second World War rooms in the cellars have interactive exhibits and eye-witness accounts. The wartime displays in the ice house bunker explains why Hughenden was high on Hitler's hit list. 

A small sample of the potted plants ready for planting out.

A most interesting day - and full of sunshine! We later travelled down to Cookham for the rest of the day and our overnight stop. Traffic a little horrendous - it is, after all, the start of the bank holiday weekend.