Bodiam Castle

When I was a young boy I had a fort with a drawbridge, portcullis and battlements in short I have a traditional boy’s view of what a medieval castle should be. When you approach this castle the first thing you notice is that there is a proper water filled moat so this gives that isolated feeling that a castle should have.  Bodiam is the nearest castle I have seen that looks like my boyhood fortress with maybe the exception of Arundel Castle in West Sussex. 

The National Trust employs these two people to bring the story of the castle to life. They are very good at telling the story in such a way that it is right for all ages, it is a mixture of history and the theatrical, a magic performance.  

The castle is in very good condition from the outside but the inside is in a semi derelict condition.

© Lionel Callow 2016

Whitstable

On day five we visited Whitstable, having been to this beautiful harbour and seaside town before we knew we could get a good meal, have a walk around the area & enjoy the sunny day. 

This ship had developed a problem with one of it's propellers & had put in to make repairs.

 I think that business was slow today so he decided to catch a few rays.

 Not much wind but we can have a go anyway.

 Oh there we go

Perhaps not

© Lionel Callow 2016

RH&DR Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

On day four we decided to visit the RH&DR Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. This is “a 15-inch gauge working railway with a fine fleet of one-third scale steam and diesel locomotives.” The line had an important part to play in the WW2. “The line was requisitioned by the War Department which created the world’s only miniature armoured train. In 1944 the line was used extensively during the building of PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) which fuelled the Allied invasion force into Normandy.”

Whilst we enjoyed our day spent riding the rails I found it limited photographically. The first third of the one hour journey runs between the back gardens of the houses, so there is very little to see. The remainder of the journey you find that because you are very low down the view is limited by the tall grass. Not until you get to the Dungeness area do the views improve. That said the staff and the volunteers are so helpful and polite that it made the day a pleasure. 

RH&DR Hythe Station

Green Goddess

Green Goddess

Dr Syn

© Lionel Callow 2016

British Airways i360

The new observation platform recently opened to the public is obviously going to become a very important attraction to the Brighton seafront, this is a very similar concept to the London Eye. When I paid my visit there was a very long queue to take a ride so it will have to wait until I visit Brighton next time, probably next year. The surrounding area is still a bit of a building site so it was very difficult to get any approach shots of the attraction but it will look good when everything is finished.

i360

© Lionel Callow 2016

Brighton

This next post is a few general shots of Brighton on a sunny August day.

 © Lionel Callow 2016