We have a few photographs taken from some of our walks in the local area. We have pictures from Hastings Country Park, a walk around Lamberhurst, a stroll around Sissinghurst Estate where the volunteers made us tea on an open fire, and a Christmas walk with the family in Robins Wood , which is just across the road from our home.

Rosie and Rosemary with Lettie at the start of our walk at Hastings Country Park View at Picasa Rosie and Rosemary with Lettie at the start of our walk at Hastings Country Park

What a perfect place to have our picnic! View at Picasa What a perfect place to have our picnic!

Having lunch ! What a view! View at Picasa Having lunch ! What a view!

The river T View at Picasa The river T

Vineyards in Lamberhurst View at Picasa Vineyards in Lamberhurst

Oasts in the distance our lovely walk near Scotney Lamberhurst View at Picasa Oasts in the distance our lovely walk near Scotney Lamberhurst

Pot plants and hanging baskets outside the Checkers pub in Lamberhurst View at Picasa Pot plants and hanging baskets outside the Checkers pub in Lamberhurst

St Mary's Church Lamberhurst where we started and ended our walk View at Picasa St Mary's Church Lamberhurst where we started and ended our walk

Sissinghurst the Tower and autumn colours View at Picasa Sissinghurst the Tower and autumn colours

Volunteers spending their holidays working for the National Trust View at Picasa Volunteers spending their holidays working for the National Trust

View at Picasa

View at Picasa

Early New Year walk in the woods with Chris and Rachel, Roman and Lettie. View at Picasa Early New Year walk in the woods with Chris and Rachel, Roman and Lettie.

A lovely walk last Christmas in Robins Wood near our house with my son, daughter-in-law and our grandbaby View at Picasa A lovely walk last Christmas in Robins Wood near our house with my son, daughter-in-law and our grandbaby

Some photos from a recent walk through the Pinetum. We can reach this by following bridal ways and footpaths from the end of Bishops Lane, which passes our gate.

Bedgebury forest and the pinetum are open all year, and have concerts in the summer months. Cycling in the forest is very popular all year round.

Amazing autumn colour in our back garden taken a month ago, sadly all the leaves have now fallen. View at Picasa Amazing autumn colour in our back garden taken a month ago, sadly all the leaves have now fallen.

A rather good logo! View at Picasa A rather good logo!

Gorgeous rich autumn colours in Bedgebury. View at Picasa Gorgeous rich autumn colours in Bedgebury.

Lovely reflections at Bedgebury. View at Picasa Lovely reflections at Bedgebury.

The Lake at Bedgebury Pinetum. View at Picasa The Lake at Bedgebury Pinetum.

We had a visit from old friends from South Africa, who we had not seen for 23 years. Andy and Graham had started Primary School together more than 60 years ago and we took the opportunity of their visit to show them another local attraction, Bodiam Castle. We enjoy taking our dog, Lettie for walks around the castle, but she is disappointed about not being allowed inside!

A view of the Rother Valley, taken from Bodiam car park.

The mystical castle across the moat.

Andy and Maureen crossing the moat.

While we were in the castle Prue and Lettie circle the moat.

All back together, a photo of the group, taken by Prue.

Andy, Graham, Maureen and Pauline reminiscing over old school pictures.

Last  Sunday was such a beautiful winters day, so we decided to indulge ourselves, and have a fish and chips lunch at the famous Pilot Inn at Dungeness. After our hearty meal, we and our dog, set off to get some exercise and explore the wonderful scenery. Again we are happy to share some of our photos with you.

Prue on the stoney beach with our dog, Lettie.

A fishermans hut

Derek Jarman's cottage with the raised verse on the wall.

The Romney,Hythe and Dymchurch train about to leave on last homeward journey of the day

A full head of steam, and off we go.

Chug, Chug and Chug.....

The sun is setting, and time to wend our way home.....

PS a quick snap of the newest lighthouse as we pass by

Moving around the moat, the castle from a different angle

At the end of Oct 2010  we visited Scotney Castle to see the autumn colours. We were fortunate in the weather and Prue took some fabulous pictures which I set out below for you to enjoy. We look forward to May when the Azelias are at their peak.

Looking across the moat.

Scotney Castle

Lovely Reflection

Another view across moat of autumn colours

A final picture

On Saturday the 24th April we visited another of our favourite gardens near us, Merriments Gardens. This garden covers about 4 acres, and is always worth a visit. This visit was to see the most marvelous display of tulips of every imaginable colour, as well as many trees in full blossom. The gardeners have really laid out an incredible display. We like the way they label most of the plants in the garden so we can choose those we would like for our own garden.

The garden should be visited several times a year,  as, as summer progresses, so does the garden!

Our pictures can only give you an idea of the splendor, so please try and get to the garden soon to see them for yourself.

I managed to get a picture of Prue and our dog, Lettie, enjoying the view from one of the many benches scattered around the garden:

We often sit quietly in the bird hide to see the some of the over 25 species of birds that feed right in front of you.

The site has a garden terrace restaurant, fantastic nursery and gift shop to fill your every need.

We applied on the ballot for this years Kent Big Day Out event and were fortunate to get our preferred venue, Finchcocks Musical Museum just outside Goudhurst. Due to a prior engagement for lunch we only made the second half of a most enjoyable afternoon, starting off with a cream tea in the cellar restaurant. We then spent time looking at the collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments and some of their collection of photographs and prints.

We then assembled for a memorable musical recital  by Richard Burnett, Gary and Alastair.

A selection of our photographs:

A view of the back of the Georgian house.

At last the daffodils in the lovely gardens are in bloom. Very late this year.

A view of three of the pianos on display

John Broadwood and Sons London 1845 concert grand piano in amboyna wood

We are assembling for the demonstrations and recitals.

Richard on the Adam Beyer 1777 square piano playing a sonato.

Gary and Richard - a duet

A five hand piece by Richard, Gary and Alastair

The recital concluded  by Finchcocks curator Alastair Laurence entertaining us with two pieces including Springdance from Bergen.

Please include Finchcocks in your itinary when visiting Kent- opening times are on their website:

www.finchcocks.co.uk

Some of this years events:

Midsummer Music

August Bank Holiday – Pleasure Gardens Gala

Autumn Festival

Christmas Concerts

Monday 15th March

We made our first visit of the year to Sissinghurst .  After the cold winter all the spring bulbs are much later than last year, but we were pleased to  see the abundance of crocus, snowdrops and winter aconite in glorious bloom. It was a lovely day with plenty of sunshine.

We enjoyed seeing the garden in this early stage as we are so used to seeing the huge variety of flowers that we are used to in mid summer. We share below some of the photographs we took today.

The spring garden or the Lime Walk as it is also known.

A close up of  a bee enjoying the early blooms:

A view of the Orchard  where in a few days the daffodils will share this space:  (we will update the picture when they are out in a new posting)

The Sissinghurst farmers market made its first appearance of the year. It will then be on the first Monday of every month. Come and buy some of the wonderful local produce.

We were also pleasantly surprised to see tables and chairs out in the open for us to enjoy lunch  or tea from  the Granary Restaurant, most of the vegetables and salads are grown on site during the summer. This is a recent innovation.

The winter aconite (Eranthis Hyemalis) in bloom:

Bull Farm Oast is in Cranbrook, Kent and is near Sissinghurst, Great Dixter and

Pashley Manor gardens. Other gardens to visit nearby include Merriments,

Marle Place and Hole Park. We are centrally situated for a number of National

Trust Properties in Kent and East Sussex. Please come and stay with us as a central base to explore the area.

We look forward to meeting you!