Kent & Sussex Weekend - Day 1

A promising bright start was soon behind us, overtaken by cloud and rain as we headed along familiar roads for once familiar destinations. With Canterbury as a first objective, it was only as I joined the A2 that I really felt I was getting somewhere on a journey that was hard with the effects of night shifts still slowing mind and body. So much has happened in the Kent we knew and it was a little disconcerting to see places and things which were familiar and not at the same time; a past life seen through muslin. It was perhaps a little more disconcerting to calculate how long it is since some of the places we visited today were regular haunts. Although we lived in Gravesend for a long time, our Canterbury era was a while before that and we rarely ventured into east Kent's towns in those twelve years. Canterbury today was a literal and metaphorical washout. We had gone primarily to see the new Gormley in the cathedral. After our pleasant visit a few weeks ago to Salisbury it was nothing less than a shock to find that its Kent cousin charges a shameful £8 for entry. A desultory single person ticket booth kept a small queue waiting unnecessary minutes in the heavy rain and we decided that £16 to see a sculpture we might not be able to photograph was a price not worth paying. We went to Morellis which appears to have relocated. Although I would not single them out for criticism, the visit reminded me that food and drink are getting very expensive. I imagine a few establishments have slipped in a bit of a price increase behind the 20% VAT smokescreen. No town is best seen in wet weather but Canterbury today was a nightmare of limited parking exacerbated by the kind of town planning - extended pedestrianisation we do not recall - which only the worst of planners can conceive and the worst of councils can approve. The car park we crept into effectively charges double on Saturday by making 2hrs the minimum chargeable period. We went up the Littlebourne Road to St. Martins Hospital at which Greg used to work in two buildings. Both have changed and one is abandoned. It was a shock to realise that that job was about 21 years ago and a little amusing to note that the former St. Martin's House is now Gregory Day Hospital.

A journey via Sandwich on roads where people wanted to go faster than seemed appropriate for either their design or the weather took us to Shepherdswell, home of the East Kent Light Railway (EKLR). This, to my mind, is an underpublicised railway and local signage does little to help it. My experience there after a shaky start was absolutely wonderful and I am still smiling inwardly at my photographs. My attempts to park or, strictly speaking, to reverse away from somewhere I could not park led to an embarrassing collision with a fence and being temporarily stuck in mud of which there was plenty today. I could not in all conscience drive away from the damage and went off to find some of the volunteers whose presence could be deduced from the parked vans. I showed them the damage and offered to pay for it but it appears that I had inadvertently started some demolition they were planning anyway. I was apologetic nonetheless and made a donation. They made me a cup of tea which I consumed after unlimited access to the site where no trains were running today. It is a mecca for me if I may say that without invoking jihad upon rail enthusiasts across the land. They have a large representation of Southern Region (and its successors') emus and a wonderful Easten Region Metro Cammell dmu which made me feel quite emotional. The visit and its results, reviewed later in our Maidstone hotel, were an object lesson in photographic perseverance. The unwelcome weather had not suggested photography but I was determined not to leave empty handed from somewhere I can visit only rarely. It rained remorselessly during my walk round but I am thrilled with the pictures. Two or three have been marred by drops on the lens which I was frequently drying whilst fearing for the general well being of my non-resistant camera. Its automatics have produced some great images and the awkwardness of wielding the camera in such poor weather led me to miss verticals only a couple of times. Sets will appear on Facebook and Flickr.

An attempt to visit Dover Transport Museum (Greg has a very thrilling life with me) was thwarted by its odd opening times which do not include Saturdays. The external exhibits alone make it worth returning. There was an unexpected and pleasant surprise ahead (is it possible to have an expected surprise?). We stopped at the Stop 24 services area on the M20 near Folkestone. I assume it is named for its opening hours and not after two packs of one dozen condoms.....

It is a very nice service area, perhaps even a model for others. I do not think I can imagine another with a Julian Graves. Retail aside, it has slightly limited eating options at the moment but there was absolutely nothing wrong with Breakfast Break where my burger was cooked fresh and the bread for Greg's sandwich was sliced behind the counter rather than before it entered the packet. We were served by Kevin the Teenager who had a poor short term memory at least where tomatoes are concerned but he did seem to have remembered some of his customer service training. The light, spacious building was further enhanced by two ATMs which don't charge for withdrawals which must be almost unheard of on motorways. One of them dispenses Euros which I have not seen anywhere else (in the UK, audience).

There was another surprise in the Marriott car park which contained a bright orange Porsche. I can only imagine it was associated with the golf club; when one sees what golfers wear, one can hardly expect taste in car colours. The only thing is, I can not believe it is dealer supplied colour - well, not that kind of dealer anyway - and that left me wondering what sort of damaged person would do that to his/her expensive car.

We are due on two railways tomorrow - Greg will probably be up all night with excitement - and notwithstanding my precipitation defying success of today, I would like a little sunshine or dry air. It might take a while for photographs to appear as my Orange dongle might not be up to the task. Please feel free to applaud on FB.