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Castle, cathedral and a submarine!

I suppose I'm so busy usually working or charging off into the countryside that I kept forgetting I really wanted to share what's right on my doorstep with my friends on here. The school I went to took great pains to teach about our local history, geology and geography. For art classes we sketched the historic buildings, our tennnis courts and playing fields were surrounded by the overgrown ramparts of the old fort, we visited the dockyard (closed down and now a visitor centre and shopping mall), cathedral, castle, had to learn the dates of the buildings, the industries, the trades.
I remember vividly hearing how the pineapples that decorate the fencing surrounding the guildhall museum were a boast about wealth from trading with the West Indies, the working dioramas in there showing the defenses of the river under attack from the Dutch raiders. Our early trading links with Japan through Willl Adams are still celebrated with a festival every year which I've missed through work too many times.
 
Wonderful pictures as usual Janine. Thanks so much for showing some of the wonderful historic sites in your area. I look forward to seeing more when your able to get them.
 
Great area, thanks for sharing it with us.
I really like the buildings, both the castle walls and the small buildings in Rochester.
Thank you for the submarine pics!! I wish someone would buy that thing and open it up for viewing again. It's not looking too good with that list, it must have some leaks.
 
alan said:
Great area, thanks for sharing it with us.
I really like the buildings, both the castle walls and the small buildings in Rochester.
Thank you for the submarine pics!! I wish someone would buy that thing and open it up for viewing again. It's not looking too good with that list, it must have some leaks.
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I know I've got a disc somewhere with close-up photos from when I got to steer a yacht around the sub about 9 years ago, Alan. I lost the pictures off my 'puter when it had to be rebuilt but I will find the disc and upload it for you at some point. I'll get you to run your eyes over them but I'm pretty sure the list was just the same then. I'd love for the sub to be restored and opened up, it would definately be a must-see for me. My uncle (my godfather) was a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy so as kids we got to go on subs and warships as his guests on the Navy days when Chatham still had a real dockyard. My next-door neighbour at the time worked on fitting the subs up in dry dock, while another uncle was a rigger.
 
I am so so so so jealous! I really want to go to Europe and take a tour of all the castles I can. I have a book about castles and I have a nice long list of all the ones I want to go visit. Its a huge dream of mine, just looking at these pictures I am getting that pull to travel. But I am too poor :( I heard someone the other day saying how annoyed she was because she had to go on a trip to Greece. I wanted to whack her head. I'd jump at any chance to travel anywhere! Particularly somewhere in Europe. I just love how much history there is.
 
Last night I stayed at my friend cathy's and got the trains home, because she couldn't get the day off work, so as I had to stop off in a little village called Aylesford I took a wander through in between trains.
 

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So again this is further inland along the same river Medway from where I walk Rosie, and I walked the river banks here last summer looking for the heronry. The bridge was originally built in the 14th century and the river here was important for transporting argricultural goods with wharves being constructed
 

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Great pics Janine! I really miss traveling around Europe and being able to immerse myself in the history.
 
ArpeggioAngel said:
Great pics Janine! I really miss traveling around Europe and being able to immerse myself in the history.
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Thanks (and to all the others who like this thread!)
I think I'll add to it when I spot interesting old buildings or things that sum up the best of the areas I visit. Of course just along from the old buildings there are modern developments, but in some places like Aylesford they are kept to a style in keeping with the older stuff. I know how much I enjoy seeing things from all of you showing your neighbourhoods so I enjoy paying it back like this.
I actually live in a scruffy, run-down town but nicer areas are right on my doorstep.
 
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