Day 14 Wednesday 2nd June:

Decided on a tour itinerary today! Scotney Castle and Smallhythe Place. Arrived at Scotney Castle by 9.50 - a beautiful day - as the numbers of visitors bagan to grow.An hour later the car park was full - it was half-term school holidays. This was an absolute stunning place. The house attemted to capture the last owners wedding, as well as their life, which succeeded brillantly. The gardens and castle were even more stunning. From just being a curiosity it turned out to be a very enjoyable diversion.

We enjoyed the vey pleasant surrounds during our lunch and then drove deeper into the Kent countryside to Smallhythe Place. This 14th century house was once the home of the very famous Shakespearean actress Ellen Terry. A few photos and then set the GPS for Kipling's house, Batemans, to finish off the day. Very interesting but no match for Scotney Castle.

Along the road we found a quite layby to stop for the evening.

Day 13 Tuesday 1st June:

Shopping day! To Oxted but couldn't shop because supermarket had had height restrictions so we couldn't park because of height restrictions - is this the pattern for the future in England?

Jim phone - right on cue - and google a shopping centre near to us - this was the Riverside superstore in Sevenoaks. Drove down and TomTom found it with ease.

Later through Sevenoaks and onto Ashurst for the night. Lovely spot.

Day 12 Monday 31st May:

Up and away early on our way to the Cotswolds. Arrived early at Chipping Campden - very unique honey coloured sandstone dwellings are the hallmark of this medieval market town.

Having spent a good part of the morning here we then moved onto Oxford for lunch. Used our first "park and ride" into the centre of the city. Jim located a suitable venue to eat, looked around the town before heading off for London to drop Jim home at the Barbican. The trip was rather slow because we ran into all the long-weekend traffic.

We continued down the A23 to be out of London before business the next day.

Day 11 Sunday 30th May:

A certain member of the road trippers not feeling the best this morning - the honey vodka! Eggs and bacon for breakfast may not have helped either . The oldies headed off into Stratford to meet Ewa and Radek for coffee by the river. Very pleasant, with the English summer turning

on a treat. The medieval town was far from medieval - crowds and crowds. Nevertheless, an enchanting town.

Returning to the van found the ailing member of the trippers was now feeling much better. A plan was hatched to book a table for dinner in Warwick. To the castle we headed - a very pleasant meal had by all.

Day 10 Saturday 29th May:

Call from Jim at 7.00 am to say he was ready for the road-trip with the "oldies" to Stratford-Upon-Avon. Just out of London and it started to rain heavily - this is the England we were expecting, not the 29 degrees of yesterday! Stopped off at Banbury to exchange the inverter and crockery (purchased the day before in London) which made us late arriving in Stratford.

Dropped Helene off at the Courtyard Theatre for RSC's Romeo and Juliet. James and I parked the van and arrived late for the performance. Met Jondon at the door and he organised things with with the theatre ushers. What an outstanding performance - the energy and the intensity of the actors brought this old classic alive. After the show we finally was able to meet the lovely Ewa. We all went back to Jondon's where Radek was waiting.  Jondon had prepared a lavish meal for us all.

The honey Polish vodka slipped down a little too easily! Fantastic night and home after midnight.

Day 9 Friday 28th May:

Checked out of Golden Lane accommodation this morning. Spent most of the day getting the van equipped with supplies and other odds and ends.

First night in the van - all going well.

Day 8 Thursday 27th May:

V-Day (Van Day) today - the exchange to take place. Off to the London Museum early - along London Wall, Moorgate, Aldersgate and a tour around the museum. A good snapshot of the overall development of London. We missed by a day the latest rooms to be opened - the 19th and 20th Century rooms - a must when we return to London in August.

Met Jim at the bank to get the Banker's Draft to pay for the van, then off to meet Ray and Nadia for the transaction. All done and dust by early afternoon.

Transfered our clothes to the van and then, when Jim, called by later, we gave him our cases to store in his apartment.