8 June
Arrived in Guangzhou
(Canton) after an uneventful flight. Everything in Auckland worked
perfectly, but after that we had increasing issues. The aircraft was
a 787 and very comfortable in our area, but the inflight
entertainment system kept freezing and/or resetting. The
announcements in Chinglese were only partially decipherable and,
while the plane was docked at an airbridge at Guangzhou, we then had
to clamber down steep stairs to a bus to take us to another terminal.
We had arranged for a wheel chair to reduce the strain on Gillian's
knees, but there did not seem to any facility for that here. Apart
from that the airport seems large and modern.
Weather here is low
cloud and fog that does not allow a view halfway across the airport,
but it not raining.
We found the airline
lounge, but were fronted by a notice that “Air system is in for
maintenance. We apologise for the uncomfortableness.” In other
words hot and sticky. We did score showers which was nice.
So, on to London …
Another easy flight to
London with announcement that were completely impossible to hear or
understand. At Heathrow we were met with a wheelchair, but then
found that the doors into the terminal were locked – someone manged
to get them open, but then they had to be held open by each passenger
for the next.
After picking up the
rental car headed off around the M25 to Kent. Once again I was
surprised how green and rural the countryside is so close to London.
Once off the motorway it was into the quaint villages, hedgerows and
incredibly narrow country lanes that define the Kentish landscape.
Our hosts here, Peter & Margaret, live half a mile down a farm
track off an old coach road that winds through the fields and woods
for several miles – never more than 9' wide and often less. In fact it isn't unusual for the mirrors on both sides of the car to be brushing the hedges at the same time. With
the high hedges, a narrow and winding road certainly keeps you awake
as you expect to find a large tractor heading in the other direction
around every corner. Backing up for hundreds of metres is not fun.
Peter & Margaret's charming Pope's Hall 'Cottage' cottage.
9 June -
GillieB here. We had a lovely sleep in Peter and
Margaret's guest house ( I call it 'Le Petit Chateau de Culham' ) –
lovely and quiet in the Kentish countryside.This is gorgeous - not sure how to describe so best to look at the photo - we feel thoroughly spoiled.There is so much attention to the decorations and appointments, wooden flooring down stairs - carpet upstairs, tongue and groove cladding for the kitchen dining area etc.
After a leisurely breakfast of Margaret's home made bread and jam, Peter took us into his garden. He has a large range of vegies growing – in a fenced rabbit proof garden – several raised plots as well as a green house. We took note of a number of cultivation points with our own new garden in the making at Onemana in mind. A tour followed of the lovely garden followed -even a viewing of one of Peter's purpose built sheds – a good six meters of secret man territory – I was very spoilt to put a female foot inside. The grounds are truly lovely – as Stephen said much like a botanic garden. There are lots of birds and birdsong and the view from their front terrace across the fields to the distant Downs is stunning. The light changes as the day moves on and so do the colours of the countryside. Sitting talking with Peter after breakfast in the nice, warm sunshine was truly magic – birds / view = bliss.
After a leisurely breakfast of Margaret's home made bread and jam, Peter took us into his garden. He has a large range of vegies growing – in a fenced rabbit proof garden – several raised plots as well as a green house. We took note of a number of cultivation points with our own new garden in the making at Onemana in mind. A tour followed of the lovely garden followed -even a viewing of one of Peter's purpose built sheds – a good six meters of secret man territory – I was very spoilt to put a female foot inside. The grounds are truly lovely – as Stephen said much like a botanic garden. There are lots of birds and birdsong and the view from their front terrace across the fields to the distant Downs is stunning. The light changes as the day moves on and so do the colours of the countryside. Sitting talking with Peter after breakfast in the nice, warm sunshine was truly magic – birds / view = bliss.
Thereafter Peter took
us on a tour of the local environs. Peter drove down narrow roads
lined by hedgerows with wild flowers in their midst and trees
that meet overhead making leafy green tunnels. First stop was
Staplehurst to drop a note into Sue and Steve's about about some
relishes as their housesitter was not at home . Thereafter we went
down more entrancing roads – noticing some really old medieval
houses as well as oast houses and even a windmill in good working
order. It is very evident that houses along these roads and in the
small villages we pass through as beautifully kept and maintained.
We visited a winery
named Hush Heath and tasted some very nice wines – very light and
easy on the palette. The estate is 400 acres and appears to crop
wheat as well as apple treess for the cider they make.The young women
who served us was very knowledgeable about the growth and production of
their products and described the recent awards the winery has won.
They supply the wine provided on the Orient Express!
On to Rolvenden to the
Bull Inn for a lovely 'sandwich' lunch – Peter and I enjoyed a
shrimp cocktail sandwich and Stephen a ham bagette. The steam train
was not running but the Morgan Car Museum was open and the display of
vintage Morgan cars, bikes, ambulance and even a vintage
caravan was fascinating – as was the antique shop at the front of
the museum. A trip down memory lane.
We are back at the
Chateau Culham- Peter is mowing his 2 acres (ride on mower of
course). We are out for dinner with Peter and Margaret this evening.
Sounds like a wonderful start, give the Culhams my love x
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