It’s interesting how hope of better things to come, generally creates a feeling of well being in the here and now. Yet, oddly, that can sometimes be true of pessimism, with its grounded reality check. The acceptance that the here and now is as good as it gets and no fear of being disappointed.
Packed alongside Scoot, in Beastie’s underbelly, we have included a number of items that may or not be destined to be put to use on this trip. Table tennis bats (the wind would have to drop considerably before use) Snorkeling gear (the sea temperature would have to rise considerably before use). Sponge beach loungers. (the air temperature will have to rise exponentially before use). Bonus balls waiting to be pulled out of the bag.
Tanner Farm Park, just south of Marden, Kent, is home for the next three nights. We have no phone signal. No wifi. Hence this ‘eventual’ posting.
We arrive via castle number two, residing at Bodiam. A once prettily plastered residence for Sir Edward Dalyngrigge. Its drainable lake enhances and conjures a romantic aesthetic appeal. On entry we’re treated to an almost expert display of swordsmanship. The first day back on duty in over a year for the three protagonists causes much amusement as they stumble and fumble through their barely remembered choreographed routines, Despite this, they impart a lot of interesting variations on how best to dispatch, or be dispatched, by an attacker.
Bodiam Castle has far fewer tidbits of information scattered throughout. Head scratching the norm. However, before leaving we’re fully compensated by David, an historian and story teller extraordinaire. He gracefully relates the history of the castle in a way that assumes our knowledgebase and acute interest in all matters past, matches his. He creates mini time warps. Grasps what’s gone and places it before us. A stream of little tittle-tattle-like stories tipple from his tongue, just as if we’re gossiping neighbours across a shared back fence.