And so at ten we meet up with Bob at his place, and we go up for a coffee to catch up. His flat has fine views over Dover to the castle high up on the cliffs, this never fails to inspire me, or Bob.
Once we had drunk the coffee, we head to the car and drive out through Dover, up the old London road and away from the traffic. Our first call was the village of Coldred, to a pretty little chapel I knew was there. Sadly the light was still flat and as I had shots of it already, I stayed in the car whilst Bob snapped away. After that it was back in the car and down twisty country lanes up and down gentle hills, some turns at un-signed crossroads until we came to the village of Barfrestone.
In the reference book on Kentish churches I got for Christmas, it said that the church had an original Norman Rose window. And that was it. Once there, the wonder of this little gem was obvious. It is a wholly 12th century chapel, made entirely of Caen stone, all carved with Norman arches and grostesques. It stand on a curve in the lane, with a four foot wall supporting the churchyard. The church has no tower, and is apparently two oblong building abutting each other.
And wonder of wonders, the door was open. Inside it was wonderful, with three slit style stained glass windows topped with a glorious circular window, the Norman Rose window. We all snapped away, I think the shots I got were fine.
Anyway, once we, or rather I, had snapped it from all angles, we got back into the car and headed towards Barham. However, we got sidetracked and went up Church lane in the village of Shepherdswell; where we had nearly bought a house. Anyway, at the top of the lane is, not surprisingly, a church. And so as I had not photographed it before, I took the chance to. And as we walked around the church, snatches of hymns could be heard from inside. Sadly, the light was still poor, but I got some good-ish shots.
Back in the car and down the hill towards Barham as it was nearing opening time at the Duke of Cumberland. It was just 5 miles, and so just had enough time to stop at the church and grab some shots.
Barhman nestles at the top of the Elham Valley just a few miles shy of Canterbury on the old line from Folkestone. Since the railway left, it has gotten quiet again, and little traffic now passes between the thatched cottages and pubs.
Unusually for a Kentish church, Barham's has a tall spire, although once again the light was dull and flat. We walked to the door and it opened. Inside was a delight, all arches and wonderful coloured light falling through the windows, and there was a stairway leading to the belfry, which gave wonderful views over the pews to the altar.
And then it was midday; opening time, and the beer was calling. And so we drove down Railway Hill and found the pub, parked the car and walked inside. There was one unreserved table, and after ordering some drinks we sat down to wait for Frances to arrive. The pub had both Woodforde's Norfolk ale and Adnams on draught too. East Anglia's best, Bob and I had a pint of each.
Frances arrived and we chatted, and chatted. Outside the sun broke through the clouds, and so when we came out we dcided to visit Barham church again, and then head back to Coldred as Frances had never been there.
As we were outside the Church of St Pancras, a local man came to check on the church, and of course he had the key to the door. He let us in to snap away, the tiny chuch is wonderful inside; it has a whitewashed barrelled roof, supported which the churchwarden said may have been made from ships's timbers.
(over the next few days I will add shots of the churches as I upload them to Flickr.)
And then back to our house when I cooked dinner for the four of us, steak and ale pie, roast potatoes and lots of vegetables and followed up by apple and cinnamon crumble. And it was good.
After Bob and Frances left, there was time for a coffee for Jools and I before the NFL championships games began. And I created an Ian shaped dent in the sofa.
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