Kent flowers, French prisoners, hops and beer and castles

Kent has been  called 'The garden of England', partly due to French Hugenot settlers who came here as gardeners in the 16/17 century. Later, in 1750's about 3000 French sailors--taken prisoner, were housed in dreadful conditions, in Sissington House, which the prisoners renamed 'chateau' or castle. The posters depicting the history are in both English and French, taken from actual writings.

In the 1930's a couple bought the wrecked place and turned the grounds  into  magnificent gardens, and the 'castle' became associated with Virginia Woolfe and was a stopping point for Royal visitors.

Kent is also the home of hops, used for beer-making (as opposed to just 'ale') and the peculiar conical drying chimneys of the 'oast houses' are a feature  of Kent countryside.

There was a most ingenious 'stile' design and our journey there and back from Ashtead, being nearer London,included the notorious M25---bringing us back to earth, in light rain as well.

Tomorrow Farnham.

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