Despite having an 800 page document of research to catch up on, this project is on hold whilst I'm trying to regain my health.
So there won't be any new places added for a while, but I am doing research from home on what I've already posted, so you may see some useful additions.
to those of you waiting for the report on the Charterhouse Priory. I started it, but then unfortunately got rushed into hospital. I am home, but not in a fit condition to sit at the desk for any length of time
Hopefully, normal service will be resumed soon......................................
So today, it was back on the HS1, for another look at the area south of King's Cross and St. Pancras.
I started in South Camden, along Grays Inn Road to Farringdon, which I only just touched on this time round. My main destination was Charterhouse Square, Smithfield Market, and St. Bartholomew's.
I got home to find I'd got 139 pictures to edit and sort through, and masses of information to disseminate, so I suggest you might like to leave looking at it intil Easter weekend!
When it's done, there will be a few additions to the South Camden page, and new pages for Smithfield, Farringdon, Charterhouse and St. Bartholomew's, both the hospital and the Great church.
Note: Updates to South Camden done, as are Smithfield and Farringdon. Still working on Charterhouse and St. Barts.
Actually, while I'm here, I want to give a big thumbs up and a hug to a nice little lady called Judith in the Museum at Charterhouse Priory. We chatted for ages, and I could have stayed talking to her a lot longer, but I was aware there were other people who wanted her wealth of Knowledge.
Another day of dodging all the road closures across Romney Marsh. Ruckinge church was being dug up (well, not the church per se, but the ground across the front of it), Newchurch church was locked, but St. Mary-in-the-Marsh held her arms wide open. I love this little church, so out-of-date and untouched, and like the rest of the village, letting the rest of this hectic world go by in peace and quiet.
so, a couple of exterior shots of Newchurch church for the time being, and finally, interior shots of St. Mary-in-the-Marsh, St. Mary The Virgin church. Both in Kent
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 I'd 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
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 will be another trip I'm sure..................
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.
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!
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!
