13th July 2026

A Disappointment

This morning we were to visit Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre. Many years ago I took a photo of my van in front of a large radio dish, I had long forgotten which dish it was though I suspected it was either Goonhilly Downs or Jodrell Bank.

When we arrived it was closed! Open Tuesday to Sunday. I took a few pictures of the dish from afar before we returned to Macclesfield.

Shopping Therapy

I asked my brother to drop me off in the town centre and I would walk home from there. I thought it wise to buy another book as I was already over half way through the book I was currently reading.

He dropped me near TG Jones (ex WH Smiths) where I found a couple of books that I liked the look of, couldn’t decide between them so bought both.

Followed this up with buying a couple of pork pies at the deli in the market hall and a coffee on the town square before wandering about, getting coffee and eventually setting off for home.

Called in at the pub for a quick half a pint of beer on the way (that is getting to be a habit).

14th July 2026

A Visit to Folkestone

I grew up in Folkestone, lived there from 1954 until 1966 when I first went to Australia.

My brother and I drove there this morning, sharing the driving.

Before going to our hotel we visited Alder Road where we lived.

We checked into the Grand Burstin Hotel right next to the harbour where I had booked on line. When I left Folkestone the Grand Burstin didn’t exist there were a couple of Victorian hotels on the site, I think this place was built in the 1970s.

After checking in and taking our bags to our room we decided to go for a walk to the harbour arm now a pedestrian precinct. It was warm but quite windy.

We walked back over the old rotating railway bridge back to the Stade where we bought fish and chips which we ate sitting on a seat along the path to the Sunny Sands. Frankly the fish was worse than that we had in Blackpool, the fish was dry and not very nice (Hake) however the chips were fine, better than those in Blackpool.

We had a couple of beers in the Ship Inn on the Stade before returning to our hotel for the night.

15th July 2026

Walking about

This morning our intention was to explore the town by walking up the Old High Street, along Sandgate Road, The Leas, down the Zig Zag Path and return along the seafront park.

In the afternoon we had whelks at one of the local sellers.

Later walked to the viaduct.

That night we had a few beers at the hotel watching England lose to Argentina in the World Cup.

16th July 2026

Memorials

First a visit to the grave of our parents in Hawkinge Cemetery and Crematorium, The lady in the office gave us a lot of help finding the site. When we found it it was unreadable and our efforts to clean it only made it worse.

Battle of Britain

Today a visit to both the Battle of Britain Museum and the Battle of Britain Memorial. they are at opposite ends of the town, the former in Hawkinge on or near the old aerodrome and the latter on the cliffs at Capel le Ferne.

Was not allowed to take pictures at the museum though did take some outside.

The Capel Le Ferne site was more photogenic.

However once you see the Mickey Mouse face it is hard to unsee.

17th July 2026

Return to Macclesfield

Set off early in the morning to drive back to Cheshire where we arrived after noon.

18th July 2026

Jodrell Bank

On Saturday took off for a visit to the radio telescope at Jodrell Bank. We missed out at the last attempts (not open on Monday). Turned out to be a quite interesting display and exhibition, spent several hours there.

An Old Photo

I have a picture taken in 1969 of my Morris van with Jodrell Bank in the background, it must have been taken when I was on a GPO course at Stone which is nearby.

As you can see there has been some major reinforcement of the dish since that time.