Romney Marsh and Rye

I was absent from the ranks of bloggers on Tuesday to visit my cousins in Kent. They always invite my best friend along as part of the family, since she looked after everyone's needs at my mother's funeral.

We visited Rye, just across the border in Sussex. It is an ancient (actually, antient) town, part of the Cinque Ports confederation that was set up in the 12th century to protect the south coast of England. There are some very old buildings. Parts of the church date to the lare 11th century.

My cousin June flanked by her husband Mick

and my friend Susanna outside the castle.

You can just see the Romney Marsh wind farm in the distant.

The turbines are quite attractive, though massive.

There are loads of wattle-and-daub houses in Rye. I like

this one because it keeps its natural colours - the supposed

"traditional" black-and-white was a Victorian invention.

Nevertheless, you can't fault this amazingly beautiful building

that overlooks the church.

We had lunch at The Woolpack, a pub - or perhaps I

should say inn - that dates back to the

15th century.

We had a great day, with the weather - forecast to be rainy - keeping fine, hot and sunny for us.