N.H.G. Outing to Walmer Castle and Deal - 3rd July 2012.
It was a sunny morning when the coach arrived at The Hill at 9.15am after leaving Morrison's at 9.00am for our outing to Walmer Castle and Deal. The coach for our trip was from Brookline Coaches of Ryarsh, Kent. www.brooklinecoaches.co.uk. The double-decker coach was excellent, modern, very comfortable and even with windscreen wipers on the upper deck front windows. It was well driven by Mark, there was slight rain but no problems with the traffic, slight mist near Dover and we arrived at Walmer Castle at 10.30am. The 42 members and quests were unfortunately welcomed with the rain but this did ease, we are pleased to say.
We were welcomed by the English Heritage staff and given a hand held electronic guide that detailed, when the buttons were pushed, the history of the Castle, it's contents and also details of the people that have held the position of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (Walmer Castle is their official residence). After viewing the Castle we toured the grounds with the many flowers including greenhouses etc., we also saw a Mallard duck with seven ducklings (absolutely great). We had to sample the tea room with cakes etc., which were also very good.
A great morning and at 12.40pm, the coach took us up the road to Deal and the weather had now changed to a great sunny afternoon. We walked around the shops and also went along the sea front and up the long pier.
Unfortunately we had to be back to the coach by 4pm for the return to Northfleet, but a great day out and with no traffic problems.
Michael R Thompson. (Hon. Secretary).
We were welcomed by the English Heritage staff and given a hand held electronic guide that detailed, when the buttons were pushed, the history of the Castle, it's contents and also details of the people that have held the position of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports (Walmer Castle is their official residence). After viewing the Castle we toured the grounds with the many flowers including greenhouses etc., we also saw a Mallard duck with seven ducklings (absolutely great). We had to sample the tea room with cakes etc., which were also very good.
A great morning and at 12.40pm, the coach took us up the road to Deal and the weather had now changed to a great sunny afternoon. We walked around the shops and also went along the sea front and up the long pier.
Unfortunately we had to be back to the coach by 4pm for the return to Northfleet, but a great day out and with no traffic problems.
Michael R Thompson. (Hon. Secretary).