Day 24. Sat. Folkestone- Maidstone,Kent

1st photo-fitting in with the scenery at Folkestone Leas, near where J went to boarding school in '69-'71.
2nd- J in front of old school Brampton Down.

Now in Kent, my fathers birthplace and childhood home county.
Spent last night in Sandgate, at 'Ships Inn', just down hill from my old boarding school.
Old pub with slightly disorganized proprietor who is in process of doing reno, or a relie is. Has renovated a couple of rooms for B&B. Our was a sea view suite which certainly lived up to its name! We were no more than 30 metres from Channel!! Had drink in old pub and a lovely dinner in new pub restaurant right on water front. I had Scallops on pea puree and Dover sole meuniere, yum!!

He cooked us best bfast we have had so far, regaled us with info on want to see and we went on our way up hill to.... Dixwell rd and there was ex BD!!! Now James court apts (17 of) but still very recognizable with no external changes at front except 2nd floor balcony, sure not there before. Playing fields gone and rows of very tacky garages out the back. Now painted cream. Apts looked quite nice. A lady came out and asked if we were OK. Turned out she went to St Margarets, another school a bit before my sister Priscilla and I were there. She remembers BD girls as rivals!

We went for a walk along the Leas, saw old church, went for a drive through town an out the other side. All decided it is a lovely seaside town and we could live there, especially in houses along the Leas!! :-)

Went on to Battle of Britain memorial at Capel de Ferme which pleased the guys and was very interesting.

Drove through Dover and on to White Cliffs, don't ever remember seeing them that close.

Then to Ramsgate and Margate but not very impressed by them.

To Canterbury, left car at park and ride and got bus into town. Went to Canterbury Cathedral and it was just amazing, so big, huge stain glass with does and such history. Couldn't go into Trinity Chapel or Quire as closed for special service.

From Canterbury went up M2 to Strood, Rochester and found Berber Rd and it was pouring by then!!! This was the house my father grew up in,all houses in street much the same as then I would say, a bit depressing:<(.  Rang door bell of number 13 and young man answered, had only owned house for 8 months and said people before them had only lived there a few years and was happy for me take a couple of photos. I should have take them on phone or low res BUT it was raining and not thinking straight! : <(. Was weird to imagine D as child/ young man living there!! 
Staying in Maidstone tonight before heading off to Oxford tomorrow and lunch with my cousins Steve and Martin at restaurant outside Oxford.  Eileen and Phil will drop us off.
We only have 2 sleeps left till we fly out Tues :<(.