|
Lynsted with Kingsdown’s vintage ‘bus trip this year had to start from Greenstreet (due to the closure of Lynsted Lane). After the disappointing dampness of most of August we were delighted to be greeted by a perfect summer’s day on August 30th with blue skies and bright sunshine. David Powell guided us through the Maidstone traffic out into the relative calm of the Kent countryside, through Staplehurst and beyond into East Sussex. From the ‘bus we could see, over hedges and walls, sights that are never seen when driving a car.
By 11 a.m. we had reached Battle where we had an hour to stretch our legs. There was time for a quick look around the new visitors’ centre and exhibition ‘1066 the Battle for England’, or relax over a cup of coffee in the pleasant town of Battle with its attractive looking shops. Refreshed, we climbed back onto the ‘bus for the short journey to Hastings. Soon we were at the Old Town seafront where we left the ‘bus roof to the herring gulls and went our separate ways around Hastings.
The afternoon stretched before us as we drifted off to have lunch and explore our new surroundings. We were certainly spoilt for choice. Some people visited the Blue Reef Aquarium while others took a ride on the funicular railway up to the Old Castle. For those with a penchant for museums there was plenty to interest them - the Fisherman’s Museum, the Flower Maker’s Museum and the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre. Of course you were not obliged to do anything and many simply enjoyed a leisurely meal followed by a gentle stroll and relaxation, sitting besides the sea, eating an ice cream on a perfect day.
Delighted by our successful day we climbed happily back onto the 1948 ‘bus for the picturesque journey home. We hit heavy traffic on the A2 for the last leg of the journey, due to a motorway closure. However, for the many weary travellers, crawling nose to tail trough Sittingbourne in their cars, we provided an interesting ‘side-show’ giving many of them a reason to smile as they waved up to us.
Thanks again David! We had a great time.
Norma Baxter
|
