Fine Dining

This is the entrance hall of Walworth Castle Hotel. It is a Grade 1 listed building completed around 1600. It has been the home of various families through the years. My Mum started her working life here as a member of the "downstairs" staff when she was 14 years old. It gave me quite a touch of nostalgia when I thought of her being here as a young girl.
Auntie Marie treated us to lunch here and wanted to have her picture taken sitting in that chair, one of a pair. I don't know how old they are.

Home Sweet Home

We have just had coffee with Auntie Marie in her house. Now we are leaving to go out for lunch, her treat. We have Connie & Steve with us, Steve is driving because he knows the area.

Market Day

The centre of Darlington with it's dominant clock tower. That black cloud has been there all the time we have been here but it's never actually rained.

The Little Pub!

It looks like the owners of the little pub have dug their heels in against the obvious development of the area. Finding your way across from this side doesn't look easy until you notice the underpass.

Strictly, I don't think so!

She's either enjoying it or I've just trodden on her foot!!

The Family Northern Branch

Five of the original eleven Rutherford girls are still with us. Emily, 97 and young at heart, couldn't make the trip but the other 4 are here Isabel 93, Mary 87 and the baby of the family, Marie 90 and Mildred 88. In the back row, my cousins, Arnold, David and Trevor.

Grand Old Lady

Here she is looking so well and sharp as a razor, one of the fabulous, long lived Rutherford sisters. She only came home from a cruise two weeks ago and to think she has to travel to and from Southampton, not like us who live so near the port.

Party Venue

I've just done a recce to find the Freemason's Hall to make sure it is within walking distance of the hotel, it is but it looks a bit grim in scruffy surroundings, doesn't it!!

Northern Panorama

This is the view from our room in the King's Hotel Darlington. At least the hotel was in the town centre so Ruth could walk to Marks & Spencer!!

A Peaceful Place

It is very peaceful and emotional when you think deeply about the reason why it is here. There is a gap, which you can just see, which is designed to allow the sun's ray to shine through and illuminate the centre of the memorial at 11.00 on 11th November each year.

A Moving Experience

Malcolm lives very near the National Memorial Arboretum. I have never been there before so it was good to have the chance on this occasion. The lady in the centre, in the black coat, is the Duchess of Gloucester. Members of the Royal Family often visit because many of them are Colonels in Chief of various regiments etc.

Family Connection

We have arrived at Malcolm's house in Ashby de la Zouche where we will be staying for two nights.

Sheer luxury - NOT

We set out on our epic expedition up North to Darlington for Auntie Marie's 90th birthday. We planned to stop at different places on the way. This is the first, a travelodge in Buckingham. Unfortunately it is also open to truckers and, judging by the state of the bed, I reckon they have all slept in it. At £19 for the night I suppose we can't complain, at least we didn't have to actually share it with the truckers, it might have been even cheaper if we had though.

The Girls

Ruth at the wedding with friends. From the left, another Ruth, Judy, Gill and Mo.