Rails to Royals

 

 

 

 

New day, new weather. The storm seems to have passed and the sun is showing through the clouds. The plan was to drive by the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch Railway for Mike to reminisce about his ride sixty years ago wearing his infamous rabbit jumper. The attraction was too strong and we purchased tickets for a ride from Romney to Hythe and back. The trains at one-third scale looking cute and toy like. Our little green train was coal fired with billows of steam. Mike was in memory heaven.

 

While waiting for departure we visited a water tower that Mike found mentioned in a book. It was built as part of a development project in Littlestone in 1890. From the beginning the plans went awry and the water tower remained standing alone without the planned golf course and housing. It is now a very unique private residence.

 

Our first planned stop was at Bateman's, the home of Rudyard Kipling. Kipling, wealthy from his writing by the age of 36, bought this 17th century property. Beginning with 33 acres, he increased his holdings to 300 acres. From the outside the house is picturesque set among gardens of flowers, herbs, fruit trees, and a large pond. The interior, although interesting, would not appeal to most people of today. Using the stream he built a mill with a dynamo to creat enough electricity during daylight hours for a few hours light each evening. Heating and inside water came later. Using elements from the garden and grains milled on site, the staff produced the best tearoom food we have found in all of our visits to tourist sites.

 

Continuing on our planned route we headed off to Brighton. Our destination was the Royal Palace. Having seen many pictures I knew the outside facade. Not having given it much thought I had never considered the inside. Wow! Built in 1787 to be a retreat for George Prince of Wales, later to be King George IV, it is lavishly over the top. The style appears Indian but is an English interpretation that would not have been recognized by any Indian of that time. George valued entertaining with extravagant parties. The presentation of food was more valued than the taste and parties did not end until dawn. His unpopularity with his subjects and his enormous girth prompted him to have a tunnel built from the Pavillion to the horse stable where he could visit his favorite race horses.

One last note about our B and B in Arundel. Built in the 1700's it was unassuming from the street. A narrow terrace without a sign, we were not positive we were knocking at the correct door. Inside there were five levels, alternating at half floors between the front and back of the home. The story goes that it was built for the mistress of the king and an underground passage connected it to the castle several blocks away. Sadly, after 32 years in residence neither she nor her children have found the secret door. I wanted to go and help look but it was time to move on.

 

 

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