The cage

Had a really good day!  Breakfast at the hotel: all you could eat!  And I did have quite a lot!  Ro left first to go to the match: Liverpool at Fulham’s ground.  He wasn’t looking forward to being in overcrowded tubes etc.  But he managed to get a seat and met up with our sons when he arrived.  The 2:2 result might have been better but he had a good time! 

Meanwhile I went from East Croydon to Three Bridges and was very worried when the next station in the train was a different station, but it did stop at mine so all good! My school friend met me there and took us back to her place! A great house so beautifully arranged.  We sat in the garden and talked and reminisced and talked and laughed and laughed some more .  It was wonderful to see her.  Then she took me for a walk round her village.  We started with the library: a really old house with a minstrel’s gallery. No photos allowed inside! We wandered round the garden admiring how well kept it was and admiring the old beams etc! Built in 1431 and grade ll listed building!

Then we went into the old church: St. Peter and St. Paul.   A 14th century church rebuilt in 1431.  A grade 1 listed building. Fabulous tombs : one huge one placed right in front of the altar blocking the view of it! Reginald of Cobham and his wife!  There was a lovely lady there who pointed things out to us.  Fascinating facts! 

We left the church to go to the pub but as we sat there, inside, it was hot, we just didn’t see anything we wanted.  Neither of us was particularly hungry so we stopped in the bakery for some bread and a cake and went back to my friend’s house.  

On the way we saw the cage! Built in 1773 for the detention of petty criminals.  Last used in 1882 for poachers!  Next to it stands a really old oak tree.  Completely hollow at the bottom.  Like a small room! 

A light lunch and lots more talking till I finally, reluctantly left to get back to the train to East Croydon and met Ro back at the hotel! 

Mass at 7:00 and a delicious cob salad for me at the hotel restaurant! The lady serving was so cheerful and happy it was wonderful!  I had a Nutella hot chocolate as they had run out of chocolate powder!  Very good!  This morning there were no scrambled eggs due to a lack of eggs, and no decaf coffee! Apparently a food delivery didn’t turn up! 

I think it will be bed next! We are exhausted in a really good way! Tomorrow Brighton!