Day 15 - Family Business - Borough Green and Eynsford

The Circle Line trains have a great deal of capacity, seen here in the morning. Coming back in the afternoon the trains were very, very full indeed.

We left Paddington in good time and travelled by the Circle Line to Victoria where we caught a train to Borough Green and Wrotham. This was through pretty familiar territory - Bromley South, Bickley, St. Mary Cray and Eynsford. Linda and Frances met our on time train at Borough Green and we walked to Amy and George's home.

Our train was on time at Borough Green

Frances and Linda were a great welcoming committee

We had coffee with Amy and George and handed over the family bible which was dated 1863.

Paul hands over the bible to Amy

Amy and George have just put up their Christmas tree

We all went to lunch at the Malt Shovel in Eynsford which I remember visiting for the occasional lunch while excavating the Lullingstone Roman Villa in the summers of 1959 and 1960. Beckie (from Sidcup), Amy's sister, joined us for lunch.

The Malt Shovel



After lunch Linda and Frances took Paul and I to visit the Lullingstone Roman Villa. It has changed immensely since I was there. The whole area is now well protected by an overall roof, a visitor centre and some well thought out signs that gave a good impression of the way the building was built up and the life in those times. 






These pictures bring back pleasant memories about the times I spent excavating the Lullingstone Roman Villa in the summers of 1959 and 1960

There was then an interesting ride back to Bromley to see Trevor and Doris, Linda and Frances' parents. It was great to see them again.

A quick ride back from Bromley South to Victoria and a very full Circle line train completed a full day. Linda and Frances were very kind and it was good to meet some additional family members. We spent some time sorting out how we were related to each other. I am not sure that I have it straight now but we have met some interesting and friendly people. A great day.

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