We
have started our 'holiday season' (I know – us retired folk are on
permanent hols!) with a trip to Kent. We stopped with an old
university friend from our Exeter days and were blessed with lovely
hot weather.
We
are long-time members of the National Trust and, in some years, it is
fair to say we contribute more than gain. This July though, we went
to three NT properties in as many days!
Looking across the moat. The Castle dates from the 14th
Century – though was probably never finished. Various wings were
added as improvements in the 16th and 17th
century as a family home. In 1843, a 'new' house was built by the
owners on top of the hill, dismantling part of the old Castle house
for stone.
The ruined part of the Castle House
It
is interesting to learn that Margaret Thatcher rented a flat on the
Estate here in the 1970's and 80's as a weekend escape from her
Westminster life.
The
next day, we went with our hosts to Bateman's House. This was the
home of Rudyard Kipling from 1902 until his death in 1936. It is a
gentleman's Jacobean house from the 17th century with a
'modern' garden. Link
Looking across the lovely rose garden to the house
What
was as interesting is that the National Trust run a working flour
mill – operational on Wednesdays which is why we were there.
Kipling
had taken out the waterwheel and placed a water turbine at the edge
of the mill pond to run a generator to charge batteries – in turn
giving electric light.
The
National Trust have re-instated a (smaller) water wheel complete with
the running gear and the mill stones. Result – stone ground flour!
From the mill pond level
Looking up at the wheel and water turbine pipe squashed together
Water flow – milling underway
Running gear below stairs
Our friend – the miller – explaining how it all works
The grain hopper and mill stone underneath – enclosed for safety
and to reduce dust?
On
the third day of our National Treasure tour, we had an extended visit to
Ightham Mote – a fantastic medieval moated manor house dating from
1320. Link
These
photos don't really do the building justice – what a fascinating
and well preserved building. Ightham Mote was the subject of a
special Time Team programme about it's restoration.
All in all – a very pleasant (and hot!) trio of treasures and a great post for my 100th!
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