Westerham and the Zoid

In the History of England there are many significant events and we all know the most common, 1066, Magna Carta, The Industrial Revolution, World War I and World War II among others.  We tend to think of the two world wars as English and British although they were the last gasp of the British Empire and a means of setting up the modern superstates and all that.  However, it is easy to overlook the achievements of some men and women in our History.  Queen Elizabeth the first springs to mind with Drake and Raleigh  who more or less fought for English claims on the Americas that shaped the future for our islands.  The battle with the Spanish and the Portugese over the Carribean and the eventual fight with the French over North America and especially Canada has great significance for the Kent town of Westerham.

The George and Dragon

We, that is Zoid the dog, my sister and myself, took a trip there to explore and have lunch at the dog friendly George and Dragon pub.  The pub was a good choice and more of that later.

We arrived at the town surprised that snow was still lingering there including a fair amount on the surrounding fields and as to be expected much dirty snow on the sidewalks and gutters although most areas were sanded.  The day was a mixture of grey cloud and sunshine, cool but not cold and starting from the main town car park we walked across the sports fields crossing the narrow but fast flowing Darent river and into the town.  Westerham boasts many old buildings and we saw many as well as some pleasant modern efforts, as well as the inevitable nondescript blocks of flats.  These older buildings that represent the centuries from Tudor to Victorian give Westerham a charm that creates for the visitor a sense of the history of England.  And indeed this is evident with the statue of General Wolfe and the Quebec House that remind us of the empire building that claimed wrested Canada from the French and claimed much of America before it turned into a Republic (and eventually saved us in two world wars).  Westerham is proud of General Wolfe.

Churchill

Straddling the A25, the once clogged East West holiday highway, Westerham sits on a hill surrounded by hills and is a hub for Emmets gardens, Ide Hill, Toys Hill and other attractions including Chartwell House the home of Sir Winston Churchill.  To show that Westerham knew how valuable the old warrior was they erected a statue to him as well. Both statues are nicely placed on the green  - we also noted there was a Christmas Tree - and having passed through the town on occasion in the Summer realise how attractive these tow monuments look.  Ah, but, when Zoid saw the statue of Winnie his hackles rose and he emitted a series of low growls.  Weird, but then he is an Australian breed and it is well known that many Aussies don't like Churchill, stemming as it does from Gallipoli and again at Singapore where much of the AIF was stranded to deal with the Japanese.  Zoid is a Kelpie, an Australian breed dog.

Westerham is small and it was a pleasure to walk through the town to the outside and discover footpaths which later we will explore.  Paths that will no doubt lead up to the hills and follow the river East to Sevenoaks and West to lands yet to be explored.

A Row of house just off the main road

But to lunch.  The George and the Dragon was a pleasant experience, friendly staff, an excellent menu and unobtrusive but friendly service.  The bar we were in with the dog was cosy and comfortable with heaters under the window seats for that cold bum and back.  Out back the garden bar offers views across the valley and in summer will make a pleasant place to eat and drink.  We will no doubt use the pub again (with or without the dog) .

Snow covered farmland

A treat was meeting up with a man in Georgian costume standing in the grounds of Quebec House taking his leisure with a clay pipe and a snuff box.  It would have been interesting to visit the place but with Zoid in tow we might not be that welcome.  However, we wandered admiring the church and took a walk up Holey Road and back before it got too dark to enjoy the sights.  

Gentleman with Pipe  

The idea will be later to visit Quebec House in March when it reopens and look on the web-site for events.  The history of Canada was set here we could say  but at the same time we have to remember that it was Europeans ripping off the locals and arguing with each other over the spoils.  Bear in mind that if it were not for Wolfe and the timely intervention of troubles in France all of Canada would be French speaking.