Thursday 30th July Battle

Last night we were picked up by Stef & Jo and taken out to a pub in East Malling for drinks prior to going to another of Stef's favourite pubs in West Malling for dinner. We had a lovely night with lots of laughs. In the morning we drove to Stef and Jo's place mainly to get some papers signed but also to take back a book that Stef had leant us. We had a lovely hour with then before we got into our car and headed for Battle.

I haven't mentioned much about the roads and the traffic so because of "The Stack" cars are finding alternate routes to go down to the south coast. Well we got onto a secondary road, narrow, roundabout after roundabout, lots of cars and a few trucks, diversions, stop go lights all leading to a lot of stressful driving.

Road limits are 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70mph depending on where you are. At one stage we waited in queue foe about 20 minutes just stop start until we got to a set of traffic lights that was crossing a major highway and so only a couple of cars got through on each phase. We heard on the radio that there were 3000+ trucks in "The Stack" today but that it was starting to move.

We arrived at Battle and yes there was a battle here in October 1066 when William the Conquerer came across the Channel from Normandy and fought King Harold how was defeated at the Battle of Hastings. William was crowned in December as the King of England at Westminster Abbey.

William had an abbey built on the site of the battle to honour the thousands of soldiers on both sides that were killed. So we were here to see Battle Abbey and the remains. The battle was held on a hill which the Saxons set up to defend against the Normans was very steep and the whole battle must have been very taxing for both sides. The battle lasted more than 6 hours.

We watched a dramatic film uncovering the events of October 1066. King Harold and his army of some 5000 men walked to York in 5 days to defeat the Vikings that had been trying to settle there. Then they had the battle there and walked all the way home to London and then walked to Hastings as they got word that William was waiting for fair weather to allow him to come across the Channel. William landed without any challenge and marched north where he met the forces of King Harold at Battle.

We walked the wall of the Abbey. Walked a path above the battle field. Had a look inside the ruined buildings, the ice chest, the dairy and had a look at the plaque that is commonly believed to be the spot where King Harold was killed. We lifted pike, swords, shields and chain mail. I cannot imagine wearing all this stuff and standing up let alone marching and going into battle for 6 hours.

The village of Battle was lovely and we stopped at Mrs Burton's Licensed Tearoom for lunch. A very old building with low ceilings, oak beams and all the plaster finishing. Beer and sandwiches for us and rather glad we didn't have the burgers as they were huge.

Out on the street Jannie spied a lovely ladies clothing store. In she went and came out a while later with a bright pink plastic bag.