Happy Birthday to me!

 Sorry, couldn't resist!

Spent my birthday out on Twinkle, exploring a few more odd places. Got lost twice, and managed to lose a church! 

I'm not joking. I saw the church tower somewhere off to my right. It was one of these that is severely divorced from its' village, and every time I thought Id found the lane that led to it, it didn't! 

In the end, I gave up, and went off exploring somewhere else. I'll work out a detailed route to it, and return a bit better armed with directions next time!

In the meantime, I shall be adding Brook and Selling to Kent. There will also be a page started for Hinxhill, but the church wasn't open, so there only the lych-gate (which is rather lovely) on there at the moment

I'll also be adding a little bit more to Chartham, Wye and Canterbury

As usual, give me 24 hours to do the necessary research and updates

Tonbridge

 Weather was still too unsettled to go out on the bike, so once again it was a short trip on a slow train. Yes, I abandoned the HS1 and took a trip on the 'old' mainline to Tonbridge.

Can't remember the last time I used a mainline train - certainly it hasn't been since my husband retired in 2013. He was station controller at Tonbridge, so I was in and out of there quite often. Never had a good look round the town though.

It reminds me of a genteel old lady - it was once wealthy and smart, but now a little frayed around the edges. Unlike a lot of town centres around here though, it was still bustling with shoppers, I think it's probably because it's the nearest town for a lot of large commuter villages.

I actually enjoyed the train ride there and back too. Unlike the HS1 line, the train trundles through the glorious Kent countryside at a pace that gives you time to actually look at it.

My only disappointment was that Tonbridge Castle is currently closed for some conservation work. Nevermind, there'll will be another trip I'm sure..................

First walk of the year in London

So today it was cold, but dry.  Ideal weather for a decent walk.

I managed to cover 4 miles today, mostly accidentally because York Bridge which leads into Regents Park was closed for repairs, and it necessitated a considerable detour to get to where I wanted to be.

On the other hand, the detour did include a lovely chat with a very hopeful squirrel, who unfortunately left disappointed!

I'm just about to do updates on the Euston page, and include two new ones - Marylebone and Regents Park.

First womble of 2025

Finally - the weather was dry enough (although a bit too cold still), to have a quick ride around locally on Twinkle. As usual, I had a list of several small villages to visit, but only managed two before my fingers felt like they were about to drop off. Unfortunately, Twinkle is old, small and basic, so he doesn't have the luxury of things like the heated handlebar grips that the other bikes have. 

At least I got out.......................

First port of call was Warehorne. We visited the pub opposite the church before Christmas, for a family meal, and I thought the church looked interesting to say the least, but it was dark and it was unlit and locked at that time. 

Today, however, it was open and inside is light and airy and quite surprising in its' content. It's also quite simple and plain in a lot of ways.

Second stop was Woodchurch, which is a village I know well anyway. Today being Tuesday, I knew the church would be open, because they have a community coffee morning. 

It's a complete contrast to Warehorne - richly endowed and quite impressive. This one was also rewarding for me, and a very nice Gentleman pointed me towards Sir Eddie, who was my main reason for wanting to go there. 

Who's Sir Eddie? You'll find out, when I update the page for Woodchurch in the Kent section!

Happy New Year!

 I ended up taking a longer break than I wanted to over the festivities. I'm afraid the Dreaded Lurgy struck all and sundry, and I didn't feel like doing much for a while. 

Then it was my turn this year to do all the cooking. American Daughter-in-Law took some time out, and went home for Christmas - first time she's managed it since she came to live over here. With Son having to go into his London Office frequently, it meant I had two very willing little helpers while I was doing the Christmas cooking!

If they weren't sitting hopefully by the kitchen door, then we were out for walkies! Anyway, I thought, nevermind, if it's as mild as it has been the past couple of winters, I'll get out in the New Year and see what I can find.

It's cold. Even with heated gear on the bike, it's been too cold to go anywhere. According to the Met Office, it'll be a little warmer next week........................Here's hoping.

Anyway - I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year, and safe travelling.