From London to Staplehurst Kent via the scenic route on a birthday

A birthday today, in a nice place, Swiss watch from Turkey!

We managed to get out of London without any problems, again we went through some beautiful areas, where to have the sunny side of the street means a more elegant home than the other side.

Towards the outer areas, there are rows of terrace houses, and so many churches

But on the way we found this disused Windmill with modern houses surrounding it.  Look familiar?  Bit like Oatlands.

 Onwards to Chilington Caves. Deep underground from Roman times, and the home for thousands during World War 2, chalk and flint was mined, smugglers stored goods there and Druids did all sorts of evil there. A stop Firstly at Addington, a small old village where Thomas Elston/Robert Jillett stole from a home. Goodness knows what he was doing in this beautiful countryside, there must have been many more houses here in 1700's.

We did take a few scenic routes when Heidi told us to turn too late, but we made Chilington for the 11.00 tour.

This was the hospital underground in 1940 amazing

Next stop was Longfield, along narrow country lanes. This was the church and home of grandfather Rev Peter Jennings, Ellen's father.  Not a hope of reading and gravestones, the vicar was not home, so we were unable to go inside.  We thought of going to Sunday service, but realised after taking the really long scenic route that the distances along narrow country lanes, is really quite far.  The church is badly in need of repair, and while the Vicerage is across the road, it looked a modern building.  The church must also have a crypt.

On to Royal Tunbridge Wells and the cemetery where grandfather Rev.
James Sedgwick is buried.  Another scenic route and along heaps of narrow lanes.

 By this time it was getting late, so we headed for Weald Cottage, along more narrow lanes, but past lots of sheep in the meadows. Tomorrow we go back to Cranbrook and Sisseleston gardens, cause now we can use our English heritage pass.

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Thanks for all the birthday wishes, we could not find the recommended pub but enjoyed our meal at the Railway Tavern, a really old pub.  

Probably offline till we can buy an adapter in Dover because someone 

left his back in London!