National Trust Day

2nd May - Tuesday

Sissinghurst Castle

Chartwell

After a late breakfast in the conservatory (“we serve breakfast between 8.30 and 10”), we set out for Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens, allowing Doris to find her own way. Surprise, surprise, the clever chick took us through all the little back roads and country lanes, winding through little woods with anemones and some bluebells poking through, quaint little villages and not a lot of traffic. The trees are quickly breaking into leaf, becoming greener each day.


We were surprised at how many people were at Sissinghurst when we arrived shortly before the gates opened. After much juggling of gear sticks (and remembering the horrid third pedal!), we managed to park and then realised that we were in a disabled spot and had to move. We had no problems with our pre-purchased National Trust pass and Cat was even given his own sticker to wear. The gardens here are superb, with daffodils, tulips, snowdrops (or is that snowflakes?), anemones and primulas in flower, as well as a delightful little flower called fritillaries. The magnolias are just magnificent, much larger trees than we have at home. There is a tower in the middle of the garden and we managed the 78 steps of the circular staircase to the top.

The lovely National Trust ladies suggested we also visit Chartwell, home of Winston Churchill, which was only about half an hour away. Good old Doris came to the party again – she has certainly made navigation so much easier. Les has decided he now wants to escape to the country and has found his ideal getaway – there was even room to park the caravan. Chartwell is more a home than a grand house, decorated as it was in the 1920s and 1930s, with many of Churchill’s paintings on the walls and a great museum. However, it is the outside grounds that really make this place; lakes, sweeping fields, a swimming pool complete with two black swans, a rose garden (still a bit sticky at this time of the year), a lovely water feature (much to Cat’s delight) and some lovely woodland walks – if one has the time.

With the hours disappearing fast, we decided on the most direct route to our accommodation at Herne Bay (near Canterbury) – this was the Motorway. I think most of the people in Kent were also using the motorway to go to Dover, along with all the trucks heading to France. We seemed to end up in the middle lane doing about 70 mph (a bit faster sometimes, I think) and being overtaken madly. We are staying at Herne Bay, another seaside town (or village) and will have two nights here. The nice lady owner even let me do a load a washing if I gave a donation to the Guide Dogs – no worries!