Daycation - Sissinghurst Castle Garden

This is one of our "go to" places when we want to give Molly the Motorhome a run out and to take the dog for a walk. As members of the National Trust we get in as many times as we like without paying any extra.

We always spend some money in the coffee shop and in the shop when we are there.

We set off a little later and although the route we took via Ashford and the A28 wasn't too busy, once off the road and onto the long drive up to the house and car-park we were pretty deep in it. The drive isn't wide enough in places for two cars to pass, but there are passing places on each side that allow cars to pull in. There is definitely no way to get a car and a motorhome to pass.

I tend to give way a lot. What's the point of squeezing a few extra seconds when you can be calm! I appreciate a little wave , a nod of the head, or even a flash of the headlights to acknowledge the fact I have let them pass. I have started to see who does it and who doesn't. Oddly the old people are more likely to give that little thank you gesture. Not all but some... Younger less so. Rudeness or just ignorance? I'll let you make up your mind.

Once we got to the entrance the lady volunteer told us where to park. There were already two vans there and we were asked to park as near as possible to allow another van next to us. Oddly, the coach park was bereft of coaches but full of cars. The car parking at Sissinghurst can accommodate easily in excess of 100 cars in the main area.

We locked up. Steering wheel Milenco and the Pedal Lock on the brake and clutch pedal. Molly is a six forward gear manual (stick shift kind of!).

First stop was the coffee shop before setting off to check in and then split up as Claire went into the gardens to have a look and Reggie and I went around the outside of the moat on the public area. We didn't get far as he decided to sniff every blade of grass he could find. There are maybe a million to choose from. I took a few photos as we walked around.

We were joined by Claire and adjourned to the NT Shop. I bought some walking boot socks. I have loads of motorcycle socks that go well in high boots but only one pair to go in walking boots. The NT branded socks are really good quality. For the challenged they have L and R stitched on them....

Then back to Molly for the drive home. Although we have had some sunny days, it's still good to give her a run out. Some experts suggest that 30 miles should get the engine warmed up and the batteries charged. The solar panel on the roof seems to be doing its job.

Back at Molly we saw that there were two more vans. One squeezed in next to us and one opposite. The one opposite, German registered, was a bit of a hassle for us as it meant that we had less room to clear our 7.02 metre length vehicle to turn around the front of the van on our left. I made it okay though.

So another short run out.