After five wonderful days in London, we caught the train from Charing Cross to Tonbridge, Kent, and picked up our hire car. We drove to Tunbridge Wells, where Michael grew up, and explored the town.

The Pantiles is a Georgian colonnade, named after the pantile paving on the Upper Walk in 1700. Now lined with shops, galleries and cafés

the area was created following the discovery of a  chalybeate spring in the early 17th century.

After lunch at The Duke of York

we visited High Rocks, which weren’t as high as they seemed to a young Michael. The drive was scenic

and the pub inviting.

We found our way through the back lanes to our B&B, The Duck & Drake, just outside Rolvenden.

The room was lovely

with a gorgeous view to greet us the next day.

We stuck a pin in the map and headed for Hastings,

where the ruins of the castle, built by The Normans in 1070, sit proudly above the town.

We took the easy way to the top

for a closer look at the ruins

and the magnificent view.

Back in the car park, this young gull had made himself comfortable.

We drove on to Eastbourne

and after a leisurely lunch, we started back to The Duck & Drake, discovering Bodiam Castle along the way.

Built in 1385 as both a defence and a comfortable home, the castle was used in Monty Python & The Holy Grail as Swamp Castle.

 

There were no curtains, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utuchVE_56M, but I think they would have obscured the scenery.

One last stop for a quick beverage at The Elephant Head

where we made a friend

and we finished the day with a fabulous meal at The White Lion in Tenterden.