Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle in East Sussex was built in 1385 for Sir Edward Dallingridge. He was a soldier, King's Knight and Member of Parliament. It was built at a time when there was a constant threat of invasion by the French and also defending his family and property from revolting peasants.

The portcullis is made of oak with iron covering. Possibly the oldest in the country.












Looking above the gate house you can still see the family coat of arms.

At the other side of the castle is the Postern gatehouse, this was the entrance for  tradespeople. Climbing to the top of the Postern tower gives a good view over the castle and its layout. The rooms on the right hand side were the Lord and Lady's apartments. This was the East side so that they would have thelight from the morning sun. On the West side of the castle were the servants quarters and kitchen.

A garderobe(toilet). Toilets were emptied by the Gong Scourer or Gong Farmer. The job was often done by children who worked at night to clean out the pots, pits and chutes.

Fireplaces were a rare feature in 14th century buildings and were a sign of wealth. Sir Edward had 33 built into the walls of his castle.

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Look how thick the castle walls were

Archeaological excavations have discovered that the chapel window had colourful stained glass.

Sharing with James at Weekend Reflections

Rye Harbour

This is the nature reserve at Rye Harbour on the East Sussex coast. It is 1149 acres of mainly flat saltmarsh with shingle ridges, scrub and woodland creating a mosaic of habitats. This reserve has been designated a site of special scientific interest and has recorded more than 4,500 species of plants and animals.

I spent all day wandering through the reserve admiring the plant life and viewing some of the numerous sea birds from the hides dotted throughout the area. I could identify a few of the flowers but not many of the birds.

Yellow horned-poppy

Wild geranium




Scarlet Pimpernel

Greylag geese

Cormorants

Numerous teasels were attracting the bees.


.I climbed over the shingle ridges onto the beach.

The beautiful sandy beach was empty and the weather perfect for walking.




After walking along the beach for a few miles I clambered back over the shingle back onto the reserve.

During the past 700 years this coastline has changed dramatially with shingle ridges shifting and reforming. A series of great storms around 1287 moved the river mouth 15 km from New Romney to Rye ans washed away the the original town of Winchelsea. Camber Castle marked the shoreline 500 years ago.

This 16th century  defensive fort was built by Henry VIII to protect the Sussex coast against French attack.

It is only open on the first Saturday of the month during the Summer but I did manage to take a few photos through the gates.

The walk back to Rye Village car park took me round a newly created reedbed which used to be a very large gravel pit.

The River Rother, Rye Harbour.

Sharing with  Our World Tuesday

Northolt

After a necessary break from blogging I am back. Thank you for all your kind comments and emails and I will be visiting your blogs again very soon.


This clock tower can be found in the village of Northolt, NW London which I recently visited as part of my 'Above the Underground challenge. Read more here

Mum

Mum passed peaceable away yesterday aged 96. 

Weekend Reflections

I always enjoy a walk by the river. This is the Thames Barrier, built to protect London from exceptional high tides and storm surges from the North Sea.
Sharing with James at weekend reflection

London Bridge

I have found it very difficult to post this week due to the horrific attacks in London last Saturday evening. London Bridge where my son works; the Southwark Tavern where he meets up with friends; London Bridge where my daughter meets up with friends; Borough Market where we all go to eat and socialise; London Bridge where I was on Saturday morning, on my way to Manchester; London Bridge where I would have been on Saturday night had I returned to London as planned.

Yesterday I was again at London Bridge. Part of the area is still cordoned off and Borough Market closed.

I want my family to feel safe and secure where they live and work. The police and security forces protect us as far as possible. In this latest attack it took just 8 minutes from the police receiving the first call to when the terrorists were killed, preventing many more deaths and injuries.

More must be done but I feel it is too late by the time these people come to the attention of the security forces. Their places of worship must do more to understand how to make the young people be part of a multi cultural society and help them respect other views and cultures. A segregated society is a dangerous one.