Musee de Flandre -Cassel

The sun was actually peeping through the windows this morning - even though the mist was still evident. 

There was a good roll-up of vans over night with the total growing to over twenty  - glad there was plenty of space to go around. 

Sunday morning in Bergues there is a brocante - translated in English -a flea market. This is, but isn't, an ordinary flea market. The central square was taken over with folk selling their wares, but as we moved away from the squares we found the surrounding streets all closed off to cars so locals could spread more offerings to the passing crowds. It looked as if many people who lived in the adjacent houses just piled their gear out on the street and offered it for sale. A nice twist! It was a very popular event with street after street participating. 

A couple of happy traders sitting outside their front door selling a few items kindly posed for us. 

Even an old time music man and his dogs!

We would have preferred a farmers market to buy some local produce but it was strictly a flea market. 

We returned to the Hilton for coffe and cake before setting our sights on Cassel - a little further down the road. 

Cassel's fame grew from the fact that Marshal Koch, leader of the French army in1914, chose this high ground as his head quarters. The commanding views across the Flemish landscape was of critical importance in 1914.

A memorial plaque in the church at Cassel.

The town today attracts many visitors because it houses the Musee de Flandre. An interesting museum with a very good English audio guide. 

Musee de Flandre

Flemish influences all through this area.

An interesting satirical painting from the Flemish School. Note the swan depicted on the building in the top left was the Flemish symbol for brothel. And can you find the two pick pockets about to strike??

We had come a long way today! - 15 km - so we thought we had had enough and stopped for our overnight in Cassel.

The sun is finally shining and it's starting to warm up a little. Life's good!

Bergues

Not a lot of movement around the Aire de Camping this morning. Still not an enticing weather-day for an early rise. Another good sleep with a bounty breakfast following. This seems to be a very popular aire, particularly with the Brits who see it as a first stopping point from the ferry into France.

We took the opportunity to explore Bergues. The early importance of the area was its slight elevation above the surrounding countryside. The "old" monks knew where to build their abbeys - and to make a euro or two. The abbey was built and then the wealth of the area rose, later becoming a member of the Northern European Hanseatic League. Textiles and wool became a major trading commodity.

The Marble Gate, main gate of the former St Winnoc abbey.

The abbey of St Winnoc was destroyed in 1789, and only parts remain: the marble gate and two towers. Today their is very little of the abbey to be seen except for  the Tour Pointue and the Tour Carrée of St Winnoc abbey (as seen through the Marble Gate above).

For five centuries the town has been surrounded  by ramparts, 5300 meters long.

Later in the day the challenge of negotiating a French laundrette was an interesting experience. Quite simple as it turned out but in saying this it was still possible to feed money into the machine without any result. A good clean result in the end.

We returned to the aire for Samedi festivities!

Aerial view of the town.

The French seem to love large figures in their main squares. The Giant Bergues also known as "The Elector of Lamartine." 6.50 meter sitting and weighing 250 kg.

We love the French cuisine.

France

We caught the ferry to France last night and woke this morning to a misty, rainy and cool English/French Channel. The French were still out on their sail boats regardless!

Wild weather but the young French were out there doing their sail training.

Basically it started out being a miserable day. Had a very late morning - in no hurry to get away.

Rugged up against the elements.

Drove back into Dunkirk - still misty - and then moved onto Bergues for the afternoon and evening. Didn't get out and explore this old town - twice destroyed totally in the past hundred years.

One of the old gateway into the town of Bergues.

Difficult to believe that Bergues was once a Hanseatic League town - when the sea was nine kilometres closer than it is today!

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: