Seaside

The Lovely lady at the hospital has been busy with another decorative scene at her workstation

I smile each time I walk past.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x

A Good Read

The Sins of the Father by Jeffrey Archer

Only days before Britain declares war on Germany, Harry, hoping to escape the consequences of long-buried family secrets, and forced to accept that his desire to marry Emma will never be fulfilled, has joined the Merchant Navy. When his ship is sunk by a German U-boat an American cruise liner rescues a handful of sailors, among them Harry and the third officer, an American named Tom Bradshaw. When Bradshaw dies, Harry sees a chance to escape his tangled past and assumes his identity. On landing in America, he quickly learns the disastrous mistake he has made, he is arrested for murder, and with no way of proving his true identity he is imprisoned.

The second book in the Clifton Chronicles series, and another very good story.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

Teapot Island

After our visit to Hever Castle we came here for a cream tea and a visit to the teapot collection.

Situated alongside the river Medway Teapot Island in Yalding, Kent is a family-run business that was established in 2003. There has been a café on the site since the 1950's and it still has a 50's vibe. It started life as a tin shack serving tea and selling bait to the fisherman. A two-time Guinness World Records winner, it's home to the biggest collection of teapots in England, with over 8,500 teapots on display.

This 3 metre tall Wishing Well teapot and cup from Germany is used to raise funds for Kent Air Ambulance. People toss coins into the cup.

As well as visits from various celebrities they have also enjoyed a visit from the King and Queen.

It's a brilliant collection. If you can think it there is a teapot for it. The owner started her collection 40 years ago. The cafe is up for sale, she is hoping to find a buyer for the collection. I would have liked to photograph many more but people were getting in the way and we ran out of time. 

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x

A Good Read

A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee
Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective is a new arrival in Calcutta. A senior official has been murdered with a note left in his mouth warning the British to get out of India. Amidst rising political dissent and the stability of the Raj under threat Sam and his colleagues - arrogant Inspector Digby and Sargeant Surrender-Not Banerjee - embark on an investigation that takes them from the luxurious parlours of wealthy British traders to seedy opium dens.

It's a good story and I guessed who did it but not the reason why.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

Let's Party Like It's 1964

My village hall was built 60 years ago.

Yesterday we celebrated with a full on day

starting in the afternoon with afternoon tea. The bunting was put up the evening before, tables were put out and covered with crisp white cloths

plates, cups and saucers, cutlery and flowers were next.

There was no charge just a request for donations to be put in those envelopes, which in hindsight was a bad idea because the donations were disappointing. We think a lot of people thought it was free, and some might have just donated a couple of pounds. The quality and quantity of food was definitely worth at least £10.

Each table had a 3 tier cake stand with French fancies on the top, pots of cream and jam in the middle, and scones and little pats of butter on the bottom. Plates of delicious finger sandwiches that were as good as M&S - salmon and cream cheese, ham, egg mayo, cucumber, coronation chicken, and cheese arrived when people were seated, along with sausage rolls. Tea and coffee was served, and later the servers walked round with various cakes and brownies, all made by volunteers.

It was a good turnout.

Music of the era was played

there was a raffle. I won the last prize - a set of two egg cups which I gave to a friend because I have a lot of egg cups that I have collected over the years and don't want anymore, whereas the lady I gave them to loves collecting everything!

The village art group displayed some of their excellent work.

Elsewhere there was face painting.

Unfortunately because of the atrocious weather the outdoor childrens activities, the plant stall and a visit from our lovely little Shetland pony were cancelled.

At 5 o/clock a different crowd came in to watch the football on the big screen, and later the disco started.

I went for the afternoon tea, but I was also a helper, and I had planned to go to the disco but after helping set up and then helping with the mountain of washing up I was too tired :-(  Although paper plates would have saved a lot of time and work we made the decision not to use them because it was such a special occassion china, porcelain and earthenware looked much nicer.

A fish and chip van came round at 8 o/clock which was an excellent idea because the hall committee didn't have to worry about organising more food.

The events committee did a great job organising it and everyone had a great time.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x

Hever Castle

M and I recently joined other U3a members for a day out at Hever Castle in Kent. The lovely county of Kent is known as the garden of England, due to it's abundance of lush green landscapes, fruit orchards, exquisite gardens, vineyards, castles and picturesque oast houses.

Spanning more than 600 years, the history of Hever Castle is rich and varied. The original medieval defensive castle, with its gatehouse and walled bailey, was built in 1383. Between 1462-1540 it was the home of one of the most powerful families in the country, the Boleyns. Their daughter Anne Boleyn became the second wife of King Henry VIII. It was Henry’s love for Anne and her insistence that she became his wife rather than his mistress that led to the King splitting from the Church in Rome and creating the Church of England. She was the mother of Queen Elizabeth I. If she'd settled for mistress she would probably have lived longer, but then Elizabeth wouldn't have been queen and the whole course of history would be different!

Gradually the castle fell into decline and it's primarily thanks to the wealthy William Waldorf Astor who purchased it and the estates in 1903 that it survived.

He invested a tenth of his $100 million fortune, along with time and imagination in restoring the castle to create a lavish family home that also indulged his passion for history. The current owners are the Guthries, a Yorkshire based family.

It's lovely, a bit like a fairy tale castle. It’s not big but it is quite tall,

with compact towers

and a wooden door suspended from massive chains over the moat.

Inside a small courtyard leads to the main entrance.

The splendid Inner Hall

The modern drawing room where William Astor liked to entertain his guests. It's a beautiful room with decorated wood panel walls, tapestried couches, retro armchairs, a piano and a hidden drinks cabinet. It's easy to imagine what a comfortable life the Astors enjoyed.

The Dining Hall 

where the Boleyn's would have entertained with lavish feasts.

The Queen of Cooks. I thought I would be able to zoom in to read the text but I can't. I don't know if the photo is Nancy Astor

Doge's throne. Venetian, walnut c.1600

The Long Gallery was used for entertaining guests, taking exercise, and displaying art collections.

Anne Boleyn's bed chamber

The grounds are beautiful

particularly the Italian garden

This poor hen duck was being pestered by the males, who then started fighting!

After leaving Hever we went to Teapot Island, a cafe and an amazing collection of teapots. Coming soon.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x