Bob and I arrived by train to Royal Tunbridge Wells yesterday afternoon a little after 2:00 pm. (Fun Fact: We went through the town of Tonbridge to get to Royal Tunbridge Wells.)
Our homeowner picked us up at the station. We had a great introduction to Nellie, our canine companion for this 31-day sit, and a thorough walkthrough of the lovely three floor home before the homeowners left at 5:00 pm for Heathrow airport to catch their flight to Rio. They will be spending a bit of time in Brazil before boarding a cruise around South America.
from the living room on the middle floor
Royal Tunbridge Wells (also just called Tunbridge Wells) is a town of about 60,000 people in Kent, England. It is 30 miles southeast of central London. The town was a spa during the Restoration and a fashionable resort in the mid-1700s. It was granted the prefix “Royal” in 1909 by King Edward VII, acknowledging its long history as a spa town frequented by royalty, especially his mother Queen Victoria. It is one of only 4 towns in England with the title. We have not yet been required to curtsy or bow to anyone.
This morning, Bob and I took Nellie out for her first walk of the day on one of the routes suggested by the homeowners. It gave us our first real glimpse of our current neighborhood.
on our 70 minute walk
After we returned to the house, we decided to visit Dunorlan Park, as today was to reach a high of 50 degrees F and was partly sunny. It is likely to be the best weather we’ll have for awhile if not the whole visit.
Dunorlan Park is a 78 acre park about a 35 minute walk from the house. It has a 6 acre lake as well as a cafe, exercise and play equipment, and boats for hire in warmer weather. The park was being well used today by walkers, dog walkers, and families.
for the International Exhibition in 1862.
It is titled “The Dunorlan.”
who were awarded the Victoria Cross,
the highest British war medal
This afternoon, Bob and I did a shorter walk with Nellie through a nearby cemetery.
Peckish Travels 