Trip 149 - Sevenoaks, Smarden and Eastbourne

Friday 8th August (Day 1)

So off to Rich and Su’s with Matt, Liv and Gia coming tomorrow. We left just after 1015 and had 155 miles to a National Trust site near Sevenoaks. We soon realised that we had ‘Avoid Tolls’ switched on the satnav. Changing that reduced the journey by almost 55 miles. We drove towards the M11 via Godmanchester. This meant driving over the narrow bridge that was there. We were about three quarters of the way across when 4x4 came towards us and not slowing down smashed our indicator lens on the door mirror. To be fair I probably could have moved over slightly but with no footpath on the nearside and an unforgiving brick wall I didnt. Anyway we stopped at the other side of the bridge but, not surprisingly, the twat did not return. Hopefully his damage is worse than our £10 lens replacement. That said we had a reasonably good journey from then to Ightham Mote National Trust Site (pronounced ‘Item’). However, despite putting the correct postcode in, the satnav for the second time this year took us to a completely wrong location, almost 20 miles wrong. This meant we arrived at the correct destination almost an hour later than planned. We had lunch in the café and then visited the site which was interesting without having the ‘Wow’ factor. We left just before 1600 for Rich’s with a stop at a Sainsbury’s for wine and flowers and diesel. A slow reverse up their drive with bushes brushing both sides followed. So narrow that the blackberry bushes marked the side of the motorhome (it washed off). Having made it, and with Resa and Eric coming tomorrow we cut the bushes back to make it easier for them. A G+T in the sunshine, followed by a really nice Indian takeaway. Then a chat until just after 2300 when it was time to sleep.

Saturday 9th August (Day 2)

So we were up and moving before 0900. Richard cooked a bacon butty for breakfast and we sat outside eating. Around 1230 Resa and Eric arrived at set up. We were checking on Matt, Liv and Gia’s progress. They had stopped last night at Stratford-Upon-Avon. They eventually arrived at 1330. Lunch was eaten in the glorious sunshine. It was a smoked delight of chicken, beef brisket, sausages, baked potato and much much more.. Then the afternoon was a mix of drink, chat and games (Kubb and Molly).  Also Richard was asked to make a few items on the 3d printer he had. The evening  meal was continental meat and cheese. Oh I forgot everyone had some cuddles with Gia! We chatted and drank late into the evening.

Sunday 10th August (Day 3)

Another ‘early’ start. A cooked breakfast again outside in the warmth. Some more cuddles with Gia. Later, at around 1215, Matt, Liv and Gia left to return to Mawdesley. Just after 1330 we all got into Rich and Su’s cars and they took us for lunch at The Wheatsheaf where the food was really good. Back at Hathaway and a bit of more chatting. We were due to meet our bridesmaid, Janet, tomorrow. That said, Chris received a phone call at about 1500 from her. She has now been diagnosed with cancer in the lower part of her spine and she is, more or less, bedridden due to medication at the moment. So the meeting will not happen. We cannot even go to her address as she is not well enough. (When ill the last thing you want is people sitting on your bed making small talk.) Around 1650 we left. Our destination was Spears Ash CL in Smarden. Just less than an hour and we arrived at the CL. We strolled into the village of Smarden which is a beautiful little village. At the Chequers pub we had a drink before returning to the motorhome to have nightcap and watch tv.

Monday 11th August (Day 4)

Today we were to see Janet but that is not happening. After breakfast we packed up and drove the seven miles to Sissinghurst Castle, which we have often wanted to visit. We parked up and went in (our membership saved us £41.80!) As we walked in Chris thought we had been here before and indeed a search on her photographs did indeed show we had been here in April 2024. I had no recollection until I saw the central tower. That said as it was a different time the year the gardens were, probably, much changed. So, along with a three mile walk around some lakes we spent a pleasant two plus hours, with lunch in the café. Leaving the site we agreed to go to a Ford dealer to get the door mirror indicator lens as the one we had ordered was incorrect. A short eighteen mile trip to the Ford Dealership only to be informed they only dealt with Ivecos and not Fords. Cutting our losses we drove bqck to the site and sat out in the 28 degree heat, albeit in the shade and dozed. The owner appeared and we paid our dues and had a pleasant chat. It was just as well as the pub meal we had planned was in the Bell which is not open on Monday, so Plan B was required. We went to The Flying Horse in the village. What followed was a really nice meal - lasagne for me and liver and bacon for Chris. After the meal and a pint we strolled back and chatted until bed, having planned our next potential stop.

Tuesday 12th August (Day 5)

A bit of rain in the night, not much but enough that I was glad I put the chairs into the garage. During breakfast we contacted the proposed next stop and there was space. On our arrival we found a busy farm / children’s activity centre. We were quickly assisted to our pitch with slow driving needed due to the busy area with children and parents. A light lunch and sit around in thirty degree heat. The we went for a stroll around the ‘farm’. Play areas, pigs, alpacas, goats, etc climbing areas and a beautiful wild flower meadow. All this is about £7 a person but for £18 we had our nights parking and full access plus EHU, a real bargain. We then played Uno Flip and as I type I am 16 - 7 down in the International Championship. One hiccup we had was that twice we had no electric as the local provider had some issues. At 1800 when we went to cook, however as the power was off until at east 2000 we were back to cooking on gas. A bit later we walked to the Holy Blue, which is a pub about 100m from the farm. Not the best of beers but ok. They had a large group of ukulele players, around forty of them with an average age of seventy. It was practice night for a performance both tomorrow and Saturday. Brilliant they were not but reasonably good and it passed the time. As soon as the practice finished the pub became bereft of anyone. A stroll back and a bit of tv before bed.

Wednesday 13th August (Day 6)

We decided on Eastbourne today. After breakfast a check of the bus app saw us scramble to catch the 1045 to Eastbourne as the next bus was 1150. We stood at the bus stop with fifteen minutes to spare only to find it was cancelled. Eventually after almost fifty minutes we were on the bus, this is a feature of the day. We got off near to the pier and walked along it, eventually succumbing to the ‘Victorian Tea Room’ on the pier for a cup of tea. Service was, well, slow. What to do? Towney Art Gallery was an internet suggestion. Well we are clearly Philistines in relation to art as it was appalling. A slow walk along the sea front to the Italian Gardens. (Again not something to repeat.) Some chips and a walk back to the town. The weather has been dull, overcast, cool and occasional rain and this with the South East under a heat wave warning! Back in town we made a purchase of minty lamb kebabs before we found the bus stop to return. The bus information board and our app showed a bus at 1445. At 1520 it arrived and a very slow exit from the town  centre followed. The twenty six minute journey back took almost fifty! The bus driver dropped us off not at the bus stop but much nearer to the site as the road was a bit dodgy for walking along. We were so ‘traumatised’ that a beer in tThe Holy Blue was required. Still the rain is on / off. A sit and chat / read etc and then the Kebabs with potato salad. Some tv and bed.

Thursday 14th August (Day 7)

A nice day in the offing, typical as we are off home. We left before 1000 and then had a good drive home with only a small delay at the Dartford Tunnel (about ten minutes). Home by 1330.