Tuesday 22nd November 2022

Welcome to Tuesday.

You are welcome to it.

And something exciting happening later, but for now, there is the usual, get up, get dressed, drink coffee and be ready for work at seven.

Jools wasn't going swimming, so she had a shower then got dressed before heading off just before seven.

When we looked out the back of the house, the sky was black with cloud, except for a small band of clear sky just above the trees on the other side of the valley, and in that gap was the blood red sliver of the waning moon.

And was then gone.

And so with Cleo watching on, I set up the office.

I learn that Denmark at two inches of snow and is still very cold. We actually are due to have sunshine, though ten degrees cooler than a week before.

Now the interesting bit.

At the end of the Deal Road into Dover, is the Duke of York's roundabout with the Duke of York's pub behind it. Why'd they have that name?

Well, behind both is the Duke of York's Military School, a huge site stretching from here to Fort Bergoyne, then to Guston. The school was founded here in 1909 and was a place where the children of military personnel were taught while their parents were posted, probably overseas.

It is still 100% for boarders, but no longer under the control of the MOD, but has a strong military ethic. I'm not going to judge.

Anyway.

The project to photograph Kent churches is mainly for parish church, but if I can get to see otheres: RC, Baptist or whatever, I'll take it.

Last September, for the first time, The Duke of Yorks Military School took part in Heritage Weekend. Sadly, I found out too late to get on a tour, but I struck up e mail correspondence with the organiser and he agreed that I could come and take shots.

Clashes of dates meant that I had to wait two months, but today was the day, and weather full of low winter sunshine. Although shadows inside were very striking.

The school was built here when it moved from Chelsea in 1909, designed by Sir Henry Tanner in the "Hampstead Garden Suburb" style. The entire complex is pretty much of all the same date and style, with the exception of two newer academic buildings.

Focal point is the large clock tower, which has just been renovated.

The chapel has several war memorials dedicated to pupils who gave their lives for their country.

I was met at reception after driving round the ring road past the athletics track and several of the boarding houses. I was met by the guy I had been writing to, he guessed I was Ian as I was laden with camera gear.

The chapel was on the other side of the road, and is a fine example of early 20th century design, the rest of the school is all of a similar style too.

He lets me get on with my task of taking shots, while he tells me some of the history of the school and chapel.

It is very well maintained, with a fairly new rood, but the rest is original and very well kept.

I took a 100 shots or so, said thanks and was gone, all in under an hour.

I went to Tesco to buy unch and came away with: a turkey and stuffing sandwich, a spicy bean wrap and a pack of spicy paprika crisps. Don't shop when you're hungry, kids.

Back home for lunch and back to work, where not much had happened.

On the tellybox at the same time as working, Saudi beat Argentina 2-1 after being a goal down.

Football, eh?

And then two dull 0-0 draws, so once work was done, I decided to go out for a walk.

Not far, just up and down the four streets in the estate, nearly 6,000 steps.

Feeing better.

We had warmed through stuffed peppers again for dinner, and were again totes amazeballs.

As was the wine.

And there was time for one more game to watch as music played on the cat's whiskers.

Phew.