Monday, October 26, 2009
Dorking today and Sandwich back then.
What a beautiful morning!
The autumn colours are just beginning to be magnificent and in the sunshine today the drive to Dorking was a delight.
Shame, though that the drive home was almost in the dark. With the clocks going back it is dark by about quarter past five now.
I have not felt on top form today. There are side effects to the drugs I have been given to control seasonal depression. I shall monitor how things seem and if it feels like too much then I shall not do it again next winter.
So far today I have not felt quite as bad as yesterday evening.
And I do have so much to be pleased about in Pilgrims. I have sold well. I was not expecting many envelopes today - after all we were there last Thursday; but I had lots to sort out.
And now to Sandwich. We all know how the Earl of Sandwich, not wishing to interrupt his gambling asked his servant to supply him with food that could be held in one hand and a slice of meat was stuck between 2 bits of bread and the sandwich was born.
There is a signpost featured on a postcard which directs people to Sandwich and the village of Ham. Yes, it points to "Ham Sandwich"
We looked for it, but didn't find it.
Sandwich is a gem - every way you turn the small town reveals beauties and history.
This was a home of Thomas Paine - writer of The Rights of Man.
This house is called The Old Dutch House.
The first building we came to, having parked the car at the edge of the town was a church.
It was quite mystical walking into this building - and so unexpected.
Now for a few miscellaneous quirky views,
The old East Kent Bus Company bus station.
I wish I had photographed more of the Shepherd Neame pub signs. Shepherd Neame beer is brewed not far away at Faversham.
My last picture today transports us to other holidays. It was a painting at the art exhibition. Most pictures were behind glass and impossible to photograph well - but this Thailand beach scene was just on canvas.
Tomorrow I shall share another slightly quirky way of exploring a lovely town with a camera.
The autumn colours are just beginning to be magnificent and in the sunshine today the drive to Dorking was a delight.
Shame, though that the drive home was almost in the dark. With the clocks going back it is dark by about quarter past five now.
I have not felt on top form today. There are side effects to the drugs I have been given to control seasonal depression. I shall monitor how things seem and if it feels like too much then I shall not do it again next winter.
So far today I have not felt quite as bad as yesterday evening.
And I do have so much to be pleased about in Pilgrims. I have sold well. I was not expecting many envelopes today - after all we were there last Thursday; but I had lots to sort out.
And now to Sandwich. We all know how the Earl of Sandwich, not wishing to interrupt his gambling asked his servant to supply him with food that could be held in one hand and a slice of meat was stuck between 2 bits of bread and the sandwich was born.
There is a signpost featured on a postcard which directs people to Sandwich and the village of Ham. Yes, it points to "Ham Sandwich"
We looked for it, but didn't find it.
Sandwich is a gem - every way you turn the small town reveals beauties and history.
Place where Dutch weavers set up trade in 1500.
The Guildhall.
This was a home of Thomas Paine - writer of The Rights of Man.
We have photographed another home of his in Lewes.
This house is called The Old Dutch House.
The first building we came to, having parked the car at the edge of the town was a church.
It was quite mystical walking into this building - and so unexpected.
The haunting strains of Mozart Symphony No 21 echoed round an empty building.
I don't just mean empty of people - but without pews, without altar or any of the other trappings of a church - just a huge open space.
There was, in fact, one person there.
There was, in fact, one person there.
He was getting the sound system ready for a concert. The church is still a consecrated building and can and does have some services but is used nowadays for concerts of many kinds.
There would be musicians with medieval instruments performing on the following Saturday.
This is the parish church. Note the Dutch gabled house in front of it.
This church too was being used for an event. The East Kent Artists Association had an exhibition , which we enjoyed.
Sandwich was once the gateway to Europe.
Sandwich was once the gateway to Europe.
The River Stour formed a wide estuary and soldiers, dignitaries, traders etc would all sail into or out of Sandwich port.
But Sandwich is nowadays about 2 miles from the sea and the river has narrowed. There is still some fishing and of course pleasure craft.
Now for a few miscellaneous quirky views,
The old East Kent Bus Company bus station.
I wish I had photographed more of the Shepherd Neame pub signs. Shepherd Neame beer is brewed not far away at Faversham.
We thought we might have lunch at this pub - but inside I was not impressed and we walked out. We were so glad we did when once we had sat at tables in a lovely, friendly cosy cafe close by.
My last picture today transports us to other holidays. It was a painting at the art exhibition. Most pictures were behind glass and impossible to photograph well - but this Thailand beach scene was just on canvas.
Tomorrow I shall share another slightly quirky way of exploring a lovely town with a camera.
