29.9 → 2.10: London and Kent

I had a most excellent week with Richard and Sharon. Richard kindly showed me some of the sites in the local Kent countryside. I went into London one day and I also had some time to relax a bit, catch up with writing and plan the journey ahead.

Richard and I went to two very picturesque manor houses on Tuesday (29.9), Ightham Mote, where we also had lunch and Knole House. Both are owned and maintained by the National Trust. We had a good look around Ingtham Mote, both inside and out. Part of what makes this house so interesting is the story it tells as you move through from the oldest parts of the house which date from the 1300’s, through to more recent sections.

Ingtham Mote

Courtyard 

The only Grade 1 listed dog house in the UK  

View from the main house to the gardener's residence 

And garden 

Oldest part of house

Kitchen

Chapel 

Nice wallpaper

Knole house

View from courtyard

Richard, walking around perimeter of Knole

Deer!

On Wednesday I visited London, travelling by train. I decided to let the geocaches guide me around the city and this worked quite well. I started at Trafalgar Square and radiated from there, passing/visiting many of the well known sites throughout the day such as Downing Street, parliament buildings, Queen’s digs and St Paul’s Cathedral and some less known such as little schools and hospitals tucked away amongst newer constructions. I wandered through Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’ Park. A highlight was finding Paddington Bear. Had fish and chips for lunch, as one does in England. I mostly walked around, but also made use of the underground and the city bikes at certain points. It was a great day but I was a bit worn out by the end of it.

Trafalgar Square

Horsies

Downing Street

Houses of Parliament

Blew coat School, 1709, dedicated to teaching poor children, perhaps not in spelling though??

Peter Pan

Look who I found on the platform

Tubing 

St Paul's (couldn't take photos inside)

Walking down to the Thames  

Walking along the south bank 

Crossing over to Waterloo Station

On Thursday, after a fairly laid back morning, Richard gave me a grand tour of Footscray Park, which sits at the rear of their house. Richard grew up in this park, which was formerly part of the grounds of several estates. It was very interesting to find out about the history of the area. We also found a few geocaches along the way.

On Friday Richard took me to visit the house of the one and only Charles Darwin, that famous biology guy. After a most excellent lunch we had a look around, starting with a most excellent exhibition about his life and scientific works. The rest of the house and gardens were set out as an audio tour. By the end of it I felt as though I had a much better understanding, not only Darwin’s scientific achievements, but also who he was as a person. That evening we made a delicious squid stir-fry.

Typical country lane

Darwin's desk 

House

Vegetable garden 

Greenhouse