Westgate, Canterbury

The Westgate Canterbury is the oldest city gate intact in the country and dates back to 1379. Very impressive. It’s the last surviving gate of the original seven medieval gates in Canterbury. 

We stayed near here earlier this week.

Canterbury Cathedral is covered in scaffolding.

Long weekend in Canterbury

My wife and I were down in Kent, just outside Canterbury, visiting our son and his family including 2 of our young grandchildren. So I have not blogged for a few days. Sorry, but family comes first. The photo shows my wife and grandson. Canterbury Cathedral, where he was Christened, is in the background.

Canterbury by train

Grandson with some of his paintings.

Today we went by train to see our younger son and his family. The train takes about 2.25 hours each way and we get about 5 hours in Canterbury We could have longer but I find this long enough. Our younger grandson is only 5 but his painting and knitting are both excellent: he has real talent way beyond his years.



Both the young grandchildren, and my wife and I, really enjoyed their dad's cooking. He did an excellent meat and potato pie.

Archbishop admits doubts about God.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29255318 .

The Archbishop of Canterbury explains that it was acceptable to occasionally have doubt, and still be a Christian. He added: "The extraordinary thing about being a Christian is that God is faithful even when we're not. When we get into the wrong place he comes alongside us and says, 'Right let's go from here.'"

His remarks were made at an event in Bristol Cathedral in which the Archbishop spoke about why he believes in God and how his faith in Jesus has transformed his life.

Kent train trip

Chris, Lauren and their children

Because I still cannot drive (stroke) we went to Canterbury by train to see our son, his wife Lauren, our 2 grandchildren and the Australian in-laws . Everything went very well. The trains were fine - all on time and clean - and our son and family very good hosts. My main stroke issue still is my giddiness when walking.

Australian grandparents on LHS

Day in Canterbury

For the first time since my stroke last September I ventured out of the county (Newmarket and Bury-St-Edmunds, Suffolk excepted), with my wife, to visit my son and family who live near Canterbury, Kent.

As I cannot drive (currently, as a result of the stroke) we did a day return by train. It was seamless and travel in both directions was fast. We had from 12-4pm with our son and family and about the same time in travel on fast trains, especially in Kent.

Now we have done it once we may well do it again. Being a Sunday, parking at Cambridge station was easy and cheap. Our son picked us up at Canterbury West station. There were no delays because of engineering works.

Booking in advance, via http://www.thetrainline.com/, and using our Seniour Railcards, the fares were reasonable too. 

All in all, a very good day.