Travel: Americas: Europe: Southern England 4:Canterbury, Rye and Hampton Court

For the last part of the trip, we headed for Kent, Michael and Linda's long-time home. Here we stayed for four nights at this welcoming and charming Farm Stay property near Faversham, We highly recommend BRENLEY FARM Top-notch lodging and breakfasts, even in the winter.	Click for larger versions ... In season, these hop poles are covered in the green vines that produced a major ingredient for beer. They were also the source of a childhood nickname for tall Linda.	The entrance gate to Canterbury Cathedral is in the picturesque center of this ancient yet up-to-date town. Note the Starbucks on the right.	Once through the gate, one sees the cathedral surrounded by open park land with inviting walks.
Another view of the cathedral.	The cathedral clock	The stained glass windows were both varied and beautiful ...
	Just click the thumbnails to see the wonderful details. I've left the full-size photos large to display them.
The sanctuary (above) and the arcade around the cloisters (right).		Canterbury's buildings are loaded with age and character.
Our travels took us to visit Linda and Michael's old homestead in Egerton and to meet her friend Sarah and other former neighbors.	One of the best lunches we had on the trip was at this pub near Linda's old home. We highly recommend The Mundy Bois at Pluckley, Kent (formerly the Rose and Crown)	We took the train from Faversham into London for a day of the British Museum and shopping. We wanted to relax over a "good meal" and a kind lady at the train station suggested Ardennes Restaurant Historic Faversham We recommend its imaginative food and good wines.	I also got to meet her wonderful Mum and step-dad Andy. Then Linda took "us girls" out for an elegant tea at Eastwell Manor.
We spent part of a rainy afternoon in the picturesque medieval town of Rye, on England's southeastern shore.	An inviting path in Rye, whose history dates to the Norman Conquest. Time and rain kept us from exploring it fully.	At its heart is the Parish Church of Rye, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin..	The church yard is filled with ancient tombstones, many with unreadable inscriptions.
Linda had never been inside historic Hampton Court Palace, one-time home to Henry the VIII and other royalty, so we made that the last site on our ramble.	Dragons and lions were among the heraldic statuary at the entrance to the palace.		The balls in this tree outside the palace are mistletoe.
The various tours start from the courtyard just inside the gates, where one sees this magnificent clock.	The palace's maze and other gardens were not inviting on the cold brisk day, but this shielded interior lawn and fountain were a breath of fresh air.	The gardens at the rear of the palace extend almost as far as the eye can see.	Let me end this ramble, by saying though the weather was chilly (for someone from Florida), the people were warm and welcoming and the grass was still greener on the "other side. "