After the short walk through The Commons I find myself out side the museum and art gallery. Looking at the war memorial outside I had to stop and take a moment to think about the war from this side of the Ocean and how different the world wars must have been. With November coming fast it is not hard to reflect on the many men and women who have fought for the freedoms I enjoy. After my brief pause I was ready to see all the wonderful sights the museum had in store for me.
The museum was amazing, the art gallery section was dedicated to water colours from artists who lived in Tunbridge Wells and capture the town in their paints. It was very tranquil and a lovely start to my time there. The object of the month at the museum was Queen Victoria's knickers. I have to admit seeing some one's undergarments was a bit of a funny shock. There were so many different items to enjoy though from games and dolls to a full butterfly collection. I have to say the room I liked the best was Tunbridge wears. In there they had a huge collection of ornate wooden boxes. The most elaborate one was a display case which was made for a family's beloved Lu Lu Terrier. This is a rare Chinese Terrier and the one in question was named Minnie. Minnie is still on display in the case and she captures the love her family must have had for her to spend so much on such a case.
My second touristy outing was to Tonbridge to see the Tonbridge Castle. The Hubby had an interview so I met up with him afterwards and we journeyed to the Castle together. It was an enchanting site standing out atop the hill side over looking the shops from the modern world. We walked past the gatehouse, moat, courtyard and the curtain wall. It was fun sitting imaging what the place might have looked like why it was in its prime.
Behind the castle there was a creek and on the other side we saw some ducks and swans. The pigeons thought we were feeding them so we were suddenly surrounded by birds. It was quite a sight. I loved it when they took flight again as well. It wasn't Trafalgar square, but it made me feel like I was there.
Saturday we went for our regular walk about and the in-laws took us out to High Rocks, which is a very rural area full of classic farms and quaint cottages. We walked past the Spa Valley Rail lines and saw a black train done up like Thomas the Tank Engine. It filled my inner child with gladness to see something from my childhood still going strong and in its original form. We stopped at the High Rocks pub for something to drink and a bag of crisps and then walked back to the flat. That night when we went to get groceries we ended up at the Sainsbury's beside the Spa Valley Rail Station and there was a proper Thomas, Diesel and the troublesome trucks. It made my day complete.
So as the sun sets on another week and I prepare to head back to Canada in 9 days. I want to wish all my Canadian friends and family and happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful to have had my dream of seeing England come true and I hope the the next 9 days are just as fun and fascinating. I always wish the Hubby will get his national insurance number soon so he can get his job and that I find a job quick when I return so we can save up all the immigration costs and get me back to this wonderful country as soon as possible.
Until then you will get one more week of English tales and then it will be back to Canada for Halloween fun and hopefully happy tales of how I get all the paper work done. Keep dreaming
~Diligentdaydreamer
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