Ramblings

Tuesday 6^th June – Bodenham Lake – An overcast and windy morning. Many of the songsters are silent, no Blackcap, no Garden Warbler but a Chiffchaff still calls persistently. Young Blue Tits flit through the trees. The lake is quiet a few Tufted Duck and Coot dive. The Great Crested Grebe nest is empty but the eggs should have hatched and the young should be on the water by now. A Long-tailed Tit flies over. Five juvenile Cormorants are on the westmost island. Mute Swans are scattered around the water.

The only song in the meadow comes from a Song Thrush. A Magpie flies off. A Wren and Dunnock burst into song briefly then fall silent. At the end of the meadow and into the plantation where several Chiffchaffs are in song. A Blackcap sings intermittently in the plantation. Yellow Wood Avens flower.

Fourteen Greylags with goslings are by the scrape. Sixteen Mute Swans are on the water. Five Cormorants are on the spit, one asleep, along with three Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Canada Geese are all around the lake. Three Carrion Crows are in front of the hide. A Coot has very young chicks in the rushes and is calling to them constantly. Mallard ducklings are fully grown now. Greylags are nipping the tips of reeds. A family group of young Blue Tits fly into the reed bed Willows.

The wildlife refuge meadow is a sea of Ox-eye Daisies and Birds-foot Trefoil with banks of pink Dog Roses around the edge. Wren, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff are now all in song in the plantation. A large Bumblebee feeds on Meadow Buttercups which bend right down when it lands on one, springing back up on the bee’s departure. Blackbirds are active in the meadow, several flying into the hedge with beaks full of food. A Red Kite is circling high above. There is the vaguest hint of rain in the air.

Wednesday 7^th June – Abergwili – A village to the east of Carmarthen near the confluence of the rivers Gwili and Tywi. Here is the Bishop’s Palace, home to the Bishop of S^t David’s since 1542, when Bishop William Barlow transferred his palace from S^t David’s to Abergwili, re-using the premises of an older college of priests which had moved to Brecon. The original building was constructed in the late 13^th century but suffered a destructive fire in 1903 and was almost completely rebuilt. In 1974 the old episcopal palace was purchased by Carmarthenshire County Council for use as a museum, whilst a new residence for the bishops, “Llys Esgob”, was built in part of the grounds, together with Diocesan Offices. The museum is well laid out with the history of the area, enough to hold ones interest without overwhelming with excessive exhibits.

Thursday 8^th June – S^t David’s – We are staying in the city. The day is warming rapidly but there is just enough of a breeze to make it comfortable. Across the country, the heat wave has resulted in several disastrous wildfires – one in the RSPB reserve at Corrimony in Scotland and another destroying a heath near Aldershot.

We leave S^t David’s southwards to Caerfai. A large hotel, originally a windmill built in 1806 and, despite problems with the sails often being blown off in storms, continued to grind corn until 1904. It was then converted into a hotel. Past a number of houses and camp sites. Numerous Pennyworts and Foxgloves flower on the banks beside the road. Steps lead down to the Pembrokeshire Path. Cliffs of Cambrian sandstones and mudstones, some 500 million years old, and folded to be upright. Flowers adorn the clifftop path – large areas of Thrift are beginning to turn brown, patches of pink are English Stonecrop, blue Sheep’s Bit Scabious, white Bladder Campion, Buckthorn Plantain which is like the ordinary plantain but with a ring of tiny yellow flowers and also yellow, Tormentil. Gulls and many Jackdaws are on the cliffs and overhead. A good number of Whitethroats and Linnets sing in the Gorse and other shrubs. The sea is flat, dotted with lobster pots. In the distance is the island of Grassholm with a ferry out of Fishguard heading for Ireland. To the south of Marloes and Skomer. The path climbs with large outcrops of conglomerate, again from the Cambrian, before the rock becomes igneous formed between 635 and 541 million years ago during the Ediacaran period. Below on a ledge is a Fulmar Petrel possibly on a nest. A stream of US bound aircraft from the continent are leaving vapour trails high overhead.

The path comes to S^t Non’s chapel built near the ruin in 1934 by Cecil Morgan-Griffiths, a solicitor from Carmarthen, using stone from ruined local chapels. He had built a house (now used as a retreat) overlooking the sea and as the nearest Catholic church was over sixteen miles away he built this chapel. There are stained glass windows depicting saints. West of the house is a small valley containing a stream down from a spring higher on the hillside, flowing into a well. The well was restored and a shrine was constructed in 1951.

In the field to the west is the ruined chapel of S^t Non. She was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales in the 5^th century CE and died in the 6^th century CE in Brittany, France. According to legend she was raped by Sanctus, King of Ceredigion and S^t David was the product of that rape. It is said that her birth-pangs were so horrible, S^t Non left marks on the stone she was grasping, and that the stone had “split asunder”. A church was built where S^t David was born, and the rock was used for the altar. An early excavation reports the uncovering of stone coffins, which might in fact have been slab-lined graves of the early Christian period. Also the presence here of the pillar-stone with its incised Latin cross, roughly dateable to the 7^th to 9^th century, is suggestive of an early medieval foundation for the chapel, although unfortunately, there is no firm evidence that the stone originally came from the site. There are a number of standing stones in the field.

We head back towards S^t David’s. Quaking Grass with strange flower heads like little lanterns. Warpool Court was built for the Rev A J M Green, headmaster of S^t David’s Cathedral Choir School, in 1865 and originally called Pen-y-garn. The Morgan family sold the house to W Williams, who renamed it Dewiscourt. It was radically altered in the 20^th century and became a hotel in 1955. It appears to have been up for sale for some time now. A chapel stood by White Well but little can be discerned now. Into Goat Street. A terrace known as Priskilly Terrace, was named after a property of the Harries family who owned Nos 47-63 in 1840. The houses are early 19^th century. The Tabernacle was built in 1874-7 by Richard Owen of Liverpool as a Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. Into the market square. A pair of houses called Dewi House and New House were converted into the Lloyds Bank in 1920, the first bank in S^t David’s. There is a craft market in the square where we purchase a crab sandwich. The stone cross is 14^st century. It retains its original octagonal shaft and square socket stone but with Celtic cross head of 1873. Down Yr Pobls (Pebble Street) past early 19^th century houses to the 14^st century bell tower with attached, possibly 15^th century, fortified gate. The bell-tower substantially restored 1929 by W D Caroe. Below in the valley is S^t David’s Cathedral.

The cathedral is on the site of a monastery founded by S^t David in around 520CE. Between 645 and 1097, the community was attacked many times by raiders, including the Vikings. However it was of such note as both a religious and an intellectual centre that King Alfred summoned help from the monastic community at S^t Davids in rebuilding the intellectual life of the Kingdom of Wessex. Many of the bishops were murdered by raiders and marauders, including Bishop Moregenau in 999 and Bishop Abraham in 1080. The present building is substantially of 1180-1220, built by Bishop Peter de Leia, his work comprising the nave with its arcades, triforium and clerestory, aisles, west tower arch and transept walls, eastern tower piers, choir aisles and east responds of choir. The central tower fell in 1220 demolishing the choir and transepts, but these were rebuilt to very similar design by 1250. The west front is a restoration by Sir George Gilbert Scott to recreate the Norman original following the unscholarly rebuilding of 1793 by John Nash. The choir aisles were extended in the late 13^th century enclosing courtyard which was roofed 1509-22 to form Holy Trinity or Bishop Vaughan’s Chapel, with fan-vaulted roof. The Lady Chapel was added around 1300. The chapel of S^t Thomas of Canterbury was added to the north transept in the 14^st century with former chapter house above. Bishop Gower’s rood screen and the south porch are also 14^st century, this work showing the influence of the Bristol School. The Lady Chapel vault collapsed 1775 and was rebuilt early 20^th century. The choir stalls, sanctuary sedilia and sanctuary encaustic tiles date from the 15^th and 16^th centuries. Monuments include Bishop Morgan (d1506) and Bishop Henry de Gower (d1347); in the presbytery Edmund Tudor (d1456), altar tomb provided by Henry VIII; and in choir aisles various 13^th century effigies, one reputedly of Gerald of Wales. Nearby are the ruins of the Bishop’s Palace. It was built in the late 13^th and 14^st centuries, mainly by Bishop Bek and Bishop Henry de Gower. In 1536 Bishop William Barlow stripped the lead from the roof. Legend has it that he used the money to pay for the dowries of his five daughters. However, as he had no daughters at that time, and the first marriage of a daughter did not occur until about 25 years later, the story was probably fabricated by his many enemies. The building fell into disrepair.Bishops stayed less at S^t Davids and, by the middle of the 16^th century, the chief episcopal residence had been relocated to Abergwili. In 1616, Bishop Richard Milbourne applied for a licence to demolish some of the buildings. By 1678, when another licence for demolition was sought, the palace was considered beyond repair.

The River Alun runs through the valley. We wander along a lane that leads to Quickwell Hill. A fine large house was built on the site of a 16^th century house in 1820-21 by William Owen of Haverfordwest for the Archdeacon of Brecon. A lane crosses the river and comes to Cloister Hall, an early 19^th century house and outbuilding of uncertain date built over the vaulted undercroft of the east wing of the 14^st century S^t Mary’s College. A path leads around the cathedral. On the hillside are three large representation of mediaeval skeps, beehives, by Bedwyr Williams. Actual beehives are within the skeps. We return to the city centre for a pint on a very warm afternoon.

Sunday 11^th June – Humber – At last the heatwave is having what looks like a short break with a little rain. Undertaking the second round of the BTO Breeding Bird Survey. There are Blackbirds everywhere. A few Whitethroats call. The hedgerows are covered in Cleavers. A few vines of Honeysuckle climb but I wonder if the Cleavers are choking them out. Umbellifers are going to seed. Down the lane to the village. A Chiffchaff and Blackcap call. There are fewer Jackdaws around the church. Not a single Swallow or House Martin anywhere!

Tuesday 13^th June – Home – We have finally had some rain although it comes in short bursts rather than the long, steady rain we need. A thunderstorm rolled past yesterday evening. It is hot again today. The compost bins are full so their contents are moved to one of the wooden bins. More broad beans and beetroot are planted out. A couple of parsnip have finally germinated. Many of the tomato plants are in flower. The rambling roses are quite amazing, great drifts of them all through the trees. Yesterday I strimmed the Ground Elder again – keep knocking it down! Ox-eye Daisies are flowering in our little meadow section. Several patches of Yellow Rattle are also in flower. Apples on the Christmas Pippin and the lower branches of the Herefordshire Russet are thinned out. I need to get the steps out to thin the upper branches of the russet. There is only one apple on the new Jumbo tree put in last year, which is a bit disappointing. But patience is required.

Wednesday 14^th June – Home – The sky is a clear cobalt blue – it is going to be another hot one. I clean out the chicken house. As usual at this time of year there is an outbreak of Red Mite. There are large numbers on the perch which is removed and sprayed with Smite. The nooks and crannies of the house are then puffed with an anti-mite powder. The Red Mite has not had any effect of the laying frequency of the hens, which is pretty much daily.

In the afternoon, I start pulling out the White Bryony which is growing through the Stinging Nettle patch kept for insects. Brambles are also removed as far as possible and lots of Stinging Nettles that are spreading away from the main patch. Although I am wearing leather gloves with long sleeves attached, I still end up with stings to my upper arms. After six sacks worth, I have had enough, sweat is pouring off me. The resident Robin keeps popping down to check what I am doing and if this is uncovering any titbits.

Friday 16^th June – Haresfield Hill – Haresfield Beacon is one of the promentaries of the Cotswolds dropping into the Severn valley. We head across a grassy downland towards a toposcope. Nearby are two Bronze Age round barrows. To the south east is long wooded hillside Standish Wood. Below are industrial buildings in Stonehouse. Beyond the River Severn. To the west is May Hill and the Malverns. North west is Ring Hill and an Iron Age Hill fort. The geology is Birdlip Limestone Formation – sedimentary bedrock formed between 174.1 and 170.3 million years ago during the Jurassic period. Large, rather strange looking clumps of leaves of the Woolly Thistle are scattered across the grass. Only one is in flower. A Common Buzzard circles over Standish Wood, A Chiffchaff calls. A Beech has heavy mast. There is a welcome refreshments truck in the car park. Across the road is a private wood, within which is Haresfield Camp, another Iron Age hill-fort.

Stroud – We park near Stratford Park, a large park and arboretum clearly popular with young people. Edward Stratford was the last member of the historic Stratford family to own the piece of land which had been recorded as part of Stroud since 1307. Joseph Watts, a Stroud brewer who died in 1855, owned the house from 1819. Joseph Watts Hallewell J.P., D.L., M.A., focused his interests on the extensive grounds, and changed the estate’s name from Stratford House to Stratford Park – hosting the 1870 Gloucestershire Agricultural Show. Both of them planted many of the specimen trees in the park. Joseph Watts Hallewell died at Stratford Park on 24^th February 1891 and the park was sold by the executors to George Holloway MP. He died the following year and it appears that the house was then occupied by his brother-in-law John Cotterel Strudwick. Following the death of then owner G.F.Ormerod in June 1935, his executors, following his wishes and sold the park to Stroud Urban District Council to ensure that the people of Stroud could access and enjoy the parkland permanently. A lake lies at the foot of the hillside, presently being restored. A towering Giant Hogweed grows by the stream out of the lake.

The town is spread over five valleys meaning one has to climb hills to get anywhere. Up to the High Street. Subscription Hall was erected in 1833 under the architect Charles Baker of Painswick. It was built through public subscription, hence the name. It is still used for events. Shambles Hall houses stalls with market stalls outside. On the right is the Old Town Hall which dates from the late 1500s. The market stalls used to be housed in the arches under the Hall. John Wesley the founder of the Methodist Church preached from the butcher’s blocks outside the Church Hall on the left on 26^th June 1742. This leads to the church of S^t Lawrence. The tower and spire is 14^st century, built in local limestone, the rest rebuilt in 1866-68 by Wilson & Willcox of Bath, built in Bisley Common stone with Bath stone dressings. The roofs are of Broseley tiles in blue and red bands. Beside the church steps descend past the small Bank Gardens, clearly popular with young people. Below is Lansdowne Hall, built in 1879. Across the road is the Greyhound Inn built in the late 19^th century, despite looking far older. We head back towards the park. Past the old Police station and Court, built as a house (Willow Court) in the 18^th century and adapted to police station in 1858 to the designs of James Medland (1808-1894). A Cell block and detached stables (Willow House) were probably added in 1885-6 by Medland. The Petty Sessional court building (The Old Court House) was added in 1908, designed by Robert Phillips. It is now partly offices and empty. On the hill is the convent of S^t Rose of Lima and the church of the Immaculate Conception built in 1867 by Charles Alban Buckler.

King’s Stanley – Village of Cotswold stone houses, some older properties but a lot of modern dwellings. The Kings Head is a large pub of 1720 stands on a junction. Opposite is the War Memorial. Nearby the recreation ground is popular with children. The old rectory is a large, possibly the largest building in the village. It was originally constructed in the 14^st century but largely rebuilt around 1720 for Thomas Morgan and altered and enlarged 1858 by Richard Reynolds Rowe of Cambridge for John Gibson. A timber-framed row of houses date from the 15^th century. Pen Hill overlooks the village and ruins into Selsey Common where a long barrow is on the skyline. Small aircraft fly over towing gliders.

Leonard Stanley – A village further south from King’s Stanley. Originally a Saxon village, Domesday book records the village name as Stanlege meaning a stony forest or glade clearing. An Augustinian priory dedicated to S^t Leonard was founded in around 1130 by Ralph de Berkeley. In 1146, the priory was appropriated by Gloucester Abbey and became a Benedictine cell until its dissolution in 1538. The village was described as a market town in 1650. It declined in importance after a fire of 1686. The church is now known as S^t Swithuns or Swithin. It was built in 1131 as S^t Leonards and added to in the subsequent centuries. Bodley and Garner undertook restoration in 1885 and there was extensive restoration in the early 20^th century. The west door is a fine Norman example. A large stone vessel near the porch holding plants looks like a mediaeval font bowl. Unfortunately, the door is locked. A number of tombs are of the Clutterbuck family who were rich clothiers. To the south and west are buildings that are the remains of the priory including a barn-like building that was the original Saxon church, possibly of the 10^th century. The lych gate is 17^st century, the boundary wall is 19^th century with a 14^st century niche. Houses around the village centre are mainly 17^st century, some showing partial rebuilding after damage by the 1686 fire.

Sunday 18^th June – Leominster – Despite a sharp, heavy downpour overnight, the ground remains dry and the sun beats down heating up the land. There is some cloud though and it begins to filter the sunshine. A car and trailer passes carrying cages of howling dogs. Screaming Swifts flash overhead.

Over the railway bridge. Cow Parsley by the railway fence has risen to at least ten feet high. The water level is the River Lugg continues to slowly fall. Into Easters Meadow. Meadow Brown butterflies flap over the tall grasses and Field Buttercups. A small Damselfly flits past. The loud song of Wren comes from the riverbank trees. A red stemmed grass, a Brome species, stands out against the green grasses. Cuckoo spit is on Ragwort. A White-tailed Bee works its way through the flowers of an umbellifer, whilst a beetle, possibly one of the Cantharidae, Soldier Beetles, is on another. The gritting lorries are still in the compound along with long articulated trailers. A Chiffchaff calls. Selfheal flowers by the fence.

Cheaton Brook is still flowing swiftly although the water level is low. Over Mill Street. A Blackcap sings in the trees by the river. The market is busy although there are far fewer vendors this week. Back along the track between the garage and the river. A Treecreeper climbs a trunk. On the banks of the River Lugg, below Ridgemoor Bridge are large stands of Hemlock Water Dropwort, an umbellifer that is extremely poisonous. Into Paradise Walk. A Chiffchaff and Wren are in song. The Minster bells ring. The River Kenwater is shallow and crystal clear. A Brown Trout lays in wait. A Beautiful Demoiselle flies over the water.

Home – Flowers have appeared on the cucumbers which I tie up. I have started to dig a few potatoes. Broad Beans are also ready for harvest, less positive are the peas which are very sparse and the peas small. A thunderstorm passes through in early evening with a heavy downpour and short power cut.

Wednesday 21^st June – Bodenham Lake – The Summer Solstice. The skies are cloudy, there is a wind, it is a bit cooler but the humidity is making it uncomfortable. Wren, Chiffchaff and Wood Pigeons all announce their presence. Small green haws are appearing on the Hawthorns, blue-green sloes on the Blackthorn and on the roses, green hips. Mallows, Lady’s Bedstraw and Dark Mullein are coming into flower.

On the boating lake a dozen or more Canada Geese are upended, feeding on the bottom. A number of Mallard and Mute Swans, including seven of the latter on one of the islands, are also present. A Song Thrush and Chiffchaff sing at the end of the orchard. A Grey Heron croaks as it passes.

In the meadow, Bramble flowers are fading and tiny blackberries forming. The remaining flowers are being visited by insects, Meadow Brown and Ringlet butterflies, Common Blue Damselflies, hoverflies and bees, albeit fewer than there should be. Lesser Bindweed flowers as it climbs through the grasses. A few stalks of Agrimony are in flower. A Raven barks as it flies over. A Garden Warbler sings, joined by Dunnock. Most the Field Buttercups have finished flowering to be replaced by Common Catsear. Self-heal and a few Common Vetch are coming into flower. The orchids have all gone to seed. Into the plantation. Bramble flowers here have narrow petals; there are several hundred different varieties of Bramble in Britain.

Into the hide. A large number of Canada Geese are on the water with a few Tufted Duck, Mallard, Greylags and Mute Swans. Two Little Egrets and a Grey Heron are on the south side. Three Cormorants are on the spit. Purple Loosestrife is flowering on the island by the south hide. It will be a few more days before it flowers on the scrape. A Reed Warbler is singing in one of the reed beds. A Coot with a single well grown chick chases off a Mallard. Nearby, another has just the single chick. A piping Oystercatcher with a single juvenile is on the spit. It is followed by a Pied Wagtail. The number of Greylags here has grown considerably to over fifty. Ringlet butterflies flit amongst the Ox-eye Daises.

Back into the plantation. S^t John’s Wort is coming into flower. A Speckled Wood butterfly flits around Stinging Nettles. Into the meadow where a tiny froglet clambers through the grass. A pair of dancing copper butterflies disappear in a flash. Into the orchards. Swallows rest on overhead wires. A Green Woodpecker calls.

Thursday 22^nd June – Home – Another hot day with a gentle breeze which just about makes it bearable. Season of fruits is beginning. We have had several punnets of raspberries and strawberries. Next week cherries will be ready. We are regularly picking broad beans. The dwarf French beans are in flower. Little Gem lettuces are beginning to heart up. The first courgette is in flower. Small tomatoes have appeared in the hanging baskets and the trough by the summer house. The flowers are also glorious. As one rose finishes, another blooms. As the Rambling Rector fades, a great swathe of Honeysuckle sends out its sweet scent. The little meadow has a drift of Ox-eye Daisies, rich orange Fox and Cubs and Black Knapweed; the first Cornflower is opening, a rich lapis lazuli blue.

Daft young birds are in the garden. A Collared Dove that could barely fly stood on the compost bin staring at me. A young spotty Blackbird came to have a look. House Sparrows and young Blue Tits, their plumage still muted colours, visit the bird feeders. Every time one goes up the garden path, a fat Wood Pigeon waddles away, always the same one as it has a single feather sticking out with an odd angle from its wing. A little later a Great Tit and Greenfinch visit the seed feeder. A few Swifts are still slicing through the sky. The breeze is light but it set the grasses in the meadow swaying in the sunlight.

Sunday 25^th June Leominster The sun is already hot on one’s skin. Forecasts of rain are unreliable at the moment. The early morning chorus is reduced to an occasional Blackbird and persistent Wood Pigeons. Jackdaws chack down the street but they are sporadic. Swifts scream as they sweep over the houses at the bottom of the street, but there are only three rather than the larger groups that used to fly at this time of year.

Onto the railway bridge. Beside the track that once held the old third line through the station, Rosebay Willowherb, Ragwort, S^t John’s Wort and Evening Primroses are in flower. Teasels are growing higher and higher. Wrens sing in the undergrowth by the river. The water level in the River Lugg seems unchanged. A Dipper flies off downstream. Along Easters Meadow. A Song Thrush and Chiffchaff join the Wrens in song. The grasses are now at their tallest and turning pale brown. Many of the umbellifers are turning to seed. Two small green damselflies dash across the grass; they are female Beautiful Demoiselles. There are a few Meadow Brown and Ringlet butterflies here too. Several stands of Hawkweeds rise above the grasses. Swollen-thighed Beetles are on umbellifers. They were previously restricted to the south-east of the country but are now much more widespread. Male Beautiful Demoiselles fly along the edge of the river, iridescent dark blue bodies with black wings. A couple of ladybirds are on umbilical seeds; we have seen very few of these this year. I speak to a woman about butterflies and she points out I actually have a Red Admiral on my leg. The small purple and yellow flowers of Woody Nightshade clamber over a Hawthorn. Yarrow is coming into flower.

Yet again the market is busy. Back along to Paradise Walk. The River Kenwater is very shallow. Into the town. There are quite a few Swifts over the fire station.

Wednesday 28^th June – Leominster – Along South Street and into Hereford Road. Up the public footpath to Cockcroft Lane. The fields contain potatoes this year. Field and Greater Bindweed flower beside the path. Many of their flower trumpets contain an insect. Poppies and Mayweed are in flower on one edge of the fields, Poppies, Fumitory, Fat Hen and Spurge on the other. Skylarks sing above. A single purple Lucerne flowers.

Along Cockcroft Lane, now a footpath. A Whitethroat sings from the hedgerow. Common Field Speedwell flowers beneath the other flowers mentioned above. Heavy clouds cover the sky but no rain. There is a brisk wind. Several dozen Swifts and the odd House Martin are over the trees leading to Ryelands. A Chiffchaff calls. The field between here and Passa Lane has ripe oats on it. Along the path above Ryelands. A Greenfinch calls. Cattle rest in the field by the houses built in the corner orchard.

Friday 30^th June – Sittingbourne – We have a fairly difficult journey from Herefordshire to Brighton. All went well until the M25 which is slow and we are being told has major delays. We take an alternative route which frankly probably takes as long as it would have done sitting in the delay. From Brighton I head to Sittingbourne. It is probably one of the worst journeys I have ever had. It takes me over an hour to get past Lewes. There are numerous delays after this, even a diversion for a closed road has been closed by the police because of an accident. Eventually I arrive in Sittingbourne after nearly four hours driving.

The town takes its name from the Saxon, Saedingburga, the hamlet by the bourne or small stream. It had been a minor hamlet since the Iron Age and was not recorded in Domesday. After the murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket in 1170, pilgrims began to travel to Canterbury Cathedral and Sittingbourne became a useful hostelry for travellers. Sittingbourne is mentioned as a stopping point in The Canterbury Tales. The railway arrived in 1858 and Sittingbourne became less a market trading and hostelry stop-off, and more a 19^th century centre of production of bricks and paper to fuel the expansion of London. Into the centre of the town down the A2, the London Road. It is absolutely straight which is not surprising as this is the major Roman Road from Canterbury to London, Watling Street. Most of the housing in the street is 20^th century, much of it from the early decades. I have a couple of pints then a retreat to the guest house, somewhat weary.