Old Town half an hour

Originally I was just trying to visit
a supermarket people told me about.

But interestingly it is in an old area....

 By chance I saw an old catholic church.
I like the pair of lamps by entrance...

 a very old pub.

Unexpectedly some sakura blossoms are there... nice.

Tonbridge a few hours

Day off. Off to Tonbridge.
Eat something in a cafe in High Street not far from rail station.
Flinch cafe. I had soup and a small salad (choose 2 )
No gluten-free option.

Not really want to spend the time in shopping malls. Castle also nearby.

Nice moat or river.

A small Lidl supermarket
within a few minutes walk
on the right of rail station exit.

 




A small church St Stephen.

Originally, thought of drop by my sister who lives in Kent.
But then they had already started making dinner.

This time maybe I shall try not to reach home too late.

Changed train at St.Leonard Sq.
But in evening, Un-manned. No waiting room.

It is open-air. Cold. 

I went to buy a bit fish-n-chip and mushy pea.
Pity that  it is microwave mushy pea.
Then, went back for connection train.
It took just about two hours back.

Faster then visiting sister
as that took over three hours via Ashford International.

see railway route map:

Maidstone just two hours

Maidstone. Just a brief walk.
Off-peak return rail ticket. Maidstone East  station.

This church was seen near rail station.Walked passed the left of it turn left towards town centre.

 Old Town Hall.

Maidstone East Rail station needs to give new visitors
more maps and directions.
New visitors at a lost at rail station.
Why not a visitor information counter
or info board  or big good maps, plus sign post?
 

The visitor information centre
is actually just a little corner inside the Museum shop.

Not obvious to first time visitors or tourists. 

Bank Street Post office in old building.

Ate something at Eden Cafe. Gluten-free available.

Nice clock inside.

Railway route map.

And route map for those who can drive.

see Maidstone in this map... Find the word KENT, 10 o'clock direction.

 I walked passed it not knowing and walked a big circle going back to it.

Chain stores and shops mostly in Fremlin Walk and The Mall Shopping Centre.
Also along other streets. And St.Peters Retail Park, Braodway shopping centre.
 Try not to spend too much time in shops as
this town has more historical buildings and sites to see.

Next time I shall try visit the old cathedral and other heritage sites.
Archbishops palace , all saints church,   brenchley garden,
walking along the River Medway on nice weather day should be nice, too.
This time, I was carrying some books and not wearing walking shoes.

Took a bus to visit sister. One bus per hour!!!
Went to Sainsbury to buy a little Easter gifts.

I left them soon after eight pm,
but ...
waiting on platform for trains, waiting for evening bus....
it was almost midnight I reached my door.
Should take much shorter time if the journey is done by car.