An unexpected
surprise ~ Sunday outing
Barbara Thomas
A few Sundays ago we were all geared up to drive over to
Shoeburyness in Essex. Me my husband step-son and his partner.
Unfortunately at the last moment the outing was cancelled. We
had intended to visit our granddaughter her partner and great grandaughter.
my granddaughters partner is involved with teaching children of
school age football so it was agreed the visit would be put on hold.
There we were all dressed up but nowhere to go, “as the saying
goes”.
My husband asked his son what if we visited the old Hopfields in
and around Tunbridge Kent.
Tom, my husband came from a large South London family, and in
those days, my husband who is now 87, said that that was the only way families
with limited amount of monies, (South London and East
London) could afford holidays. Their parents put pennies away to
pay train fares throughout the year (no cars then), the family would be met by
the farmer at wherever the Hop fields were active and then he would put belongings
on back of open lorry, in my husbands case, Tonbridge station, the family would
also climb into the back with everything they would need for sometimes as long
as three weeks.
Therefore firstly earning wages picking off the vines and
secondly having a break from the big smoke i.e. London.
All four of us agreed that would be a great idea, Nicky drove
our car, my husband sat in the front with the two women seated at the back.
It was a beautiful day not to hot, Nicky, my step-son was being
guided by his Dad. Who you can well imagine had no end of tales to tell us.
Nicky followed his Dads instructions which read “walks to Hop fields”. But of
course the Hop fields were long gone, in their place were rows and rows of
orchard trees. That didn’t stop my husband in reveling in what had been there.
I noticed a break in the field advertising Kent Cherries, and Strawberries.
I am a sucker for juicy Kent soft
fruits.
So Nicky pulled up in front of a little wooden hut.
Once punnets where ordered and distributed amongst us, my
husband said to the man aged around 30, who had been serving, that in his day
(70 odd years ago) how he still remembered the farmers name, a Mr. Earl who
lived in the farm house further up the hill. The young man said, “how strange
that’s my surname but I had never heard of the farmer or farm”.
As it was lunch time my step-son asked could the man suggest
where we could get some lunch.
We were directed along the narrow hedges to several pubs but as
you can imagine on Sunday afternoon all the car-parks were full.
Nicky persisted and he pulled into a large public house, easy
parking, we all went inside, lunch was ordered. It was decided to order a Roast
Platter which worked out for 3 people at the grand price of £25.00
I unfortunately am a Celiac so I bring my lunch with me.
All the other dinners were priced at £25.00 extra for roast
potatoes extra veg even gravy. That was well spotted by me, the platter!!
Enough for small appetite’s
but with beef, chicken, pork baked potatoes plus veg.
Drinks of course were extra!!!!
Whilst we were sitting there, a whole assortment of people
arrived, young, and old, babies, toddlers. The four of us were intrigued
considering the prices, so Nicky went up to the bar after the crowd dispersed
to be told that people paid £45.00 a head for a meal and a guide, to take them
on local walks along the fields and, lanes etc.
My husband being an ex-publican was very interest what brewers
it belong too and found out it was a family run free-house.
He was very impressed in this day and age, business looked like
it was blooming.
The name of the pub was “THE POACHER AND THE PARTRIDGE”, in case
you want to visit.
Well we made our way happily to the car and Nicky brought us
safely home.
My husband talked about it for days, all in all it was a great
day out.
Copyright Barbara Thomas
