It’s Wednesday, so another kind post from guest blogger Birdsey

For breakfast this morning we had strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and an omelette (bacon and mushroom for Pru, mushroom and tomato for me). To say goodbye to Sissinghurst we walked to the lakes, which was a lovely green woodland walk.

Then we drove through the rather busy Royal Tunbridge Wells to Hartfield, where we found the nearby Ashdown Forest and the famous Poohsticks bridge. There wasn’t much water in the stream but we played three turns. On the first attempt the two sticks entangled with each other. Pru’s stick won the second attempt and mine the third, so it was all fair and even.

Next stop was the Haywaggon Inn, Hartfield, which was built in 1540. First I tried a half of Hogs Back Fresh Spring pale ale, 4%. Not sure if my next beer was the Beck’s Vier or 1664; I asked for 1664 but it was served in a Beck’s Vier glass; I guess either would sound similar in an Australian accent. Pru discovered on Foursquare that the Haywaggon Inn is renowned for its apple crumble so she ordered some just to check. Here it is.

Then we drove the short distance to Standen, on the outskirts of East Grinsted. Standen house is a large arts and crafts home built in the 1890s and features William Morris designs in its wallpapers, textiles and furnishings. It also has a very large and impressive garden but we decided that after Sissinghurst we didn’t really need to delve into too many more gardens. I was however sidetracked by the quarry garden, which features steep rocky walks, a pond and a stand of tree ferns. This made me feel right at home.

We had time for a light refreshment before continuing our journey to Halland where we are staying for the next two nights. The B&B is on the busy Eastbourne Road but our room is very comfortable and spacious and within walking distance of The Forge Hotel, which our hostess recommended for dinner (sorry, supper).

Dinner was quite nice although the large pub was largely empty. There wasn’t much vegetarian choice on the menu but our host advised that I could mix and match from the side dishes, so I had potatoes dauphinoise, courgettes and peppers with onions from the fish menu. Pru had lambs fry and bacon with mash and gravy.

We walked the short distance home and settled back into our rather over cluttered room. But one thing you could not criticise it for is a lack of pillows and cushions. There is a plentiful abundance which makes reading and writing in bed very comfortable.