Yeah! it's warm inside

And they have food!! We ate at Karl's which we had seen the earlier day.


I had the pate and dh had a baguette and a filter coffee.


He said that coffee was excellent, and those that know him, know how picky he is about his coffee. He had planned to buy some ground coffee but they didn't have enough beans that day and we had plans to Go Out Into the Countryside next.

With food still on the mind (my mind!) I wanted to see The Goods Shed , a farmers' market on the east side of town. So out into the chill we trudged again. Should you make it to Canterbury, this is right next to the North train station. It even stays open late which must be a boon to workers who want to get something good for dinner that night. (n.b. all photos are clickable to see the food details...)






Frollinos, and yes were they good! We only had one each...sigh.







It was tempting to take something back for the next day but we passed. Seriously, it all looked yummo-good. (sorry about that Rachel bit...just for a laugh)


A selection of cheeses did go back to the villa with us for our dessert that night.


What is winter without cabbages?


I've never cooked Jerusalem Artichokes and didn't feel like doing that much peeling.


Back into town for the last trek to make the bus and then home to a full moon night.

On to Canterbury Castle

We just continued round the northern edge of the Dane John, and there was dh's first castle. (Yes, to other readers in the EU, we did see castles in Spain but somehow a castle in England is special!)

It really became dark and chilly as we explored this site.









brrrrr!!

Just outside the castle on Gas Street, the site of the old gasworks, we saw this home - obviously the home of a collector. btw, I love house with small #s like this 3. I hope never to live in a house with more than two digits. Is that weird???





A bit more of a brisk walk to stay warm, and on down a street filled with estate agents showing many many more house to let rather than for sale. Same as the US. :-( But there was this one pop of color... not a color I'd wear but it gave me a smile. I should have changed the angle of the shot so I would be in that dress... And look at that hat!



Suddenly, it seemed like it was time to seriously think about food!!

Dane John Mound & Gardens Canterbury

Our next day in England was spent with us going into Canterbury by bus as the car had not yet been repaired. It was really rainy but hey...it was England. One really nice thing about Canterbury was how contained and walkable the actual city was. We were bundled up and ready to See Things!

Near the bus stop was the entrance to the Dane John Gardens and Mound

Regarding Canterbury Castle - A wooden motte and bailey castle was erected in 1066 - its motte may be the mound which is still visible in the Dane John gardens near the stone castle (which may in turn be a Roman burial mound), with Dane John deriving from donjon.



I loved these bench ends.









click to see the windmill on the hill in background



holding on in strong wind



glad to be back down tho the views were wonderful



Ok, one 'sight' seen, now onto the Castle!

Inside Canterbury Cathedral

We entered Canterbury Cathedral to hear the boys choir sing Evensong. btw, there is no charge to attend a service so this is a good way to experience what a church really means w/o wandering with a lot of other tourists. It was truly a beautiful service. The photo below shows where the shrine of St.Thomas Beckett was until Henry VIII decided otherwise. The candle marks the spot.


The knight is the Black Prince and there is a couple pondering his tomb.


The site of Thomas' martrydom is marked with the chilling swords.

No, you don't get to stay in the Cathedral House but the modern accomodations are right inside the Cathedral walls.

Canterbury

Pictures, Pictures

Our first trip into Canterbury from BroomePark was made by bus while we waited for the car to be repaired. The bus left from just outside the estate grounds so it was very convenient. 2.50pounds per person each way. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday, the kind of day you learn to appreciate in England.



Lovely bits of fabric work just in time for Valentine's Day.


Sad sign of the economic times. Even more shocking was seeing how many pubs are closed and up for sale.


Our first stop for tea and cornish pastries. We'd eaten at this chain on a prior trip and it was good to also sit down. This becomes a major priority with a lot of walking. Most cafes were very crowded and I cannot fathom what it must be like in the summer.







This one is especially for my sons who used to love the flakes in the ice cream cones.

Much much more to come!!