12 June ’05, Sunday. The Village of Battle
Hastings? Well, not yet, but Battle we found to be a great stop. It seems that I have some ties to Battle through family. I wont go into a lot of detail, but that we know, goes back to “Thomas Goodman” being born in Battle in 1840 or there about. Sunday, we went into town after setting up at this fantastic campground, and had fun going through one of the many cemeteries looking for someone with the “Goodman” name on their tombstone. I’m sure it doesn’t surprise anyone, but we didn’t have any luck… I know I told you that we had purchased a “English Heritage” membership when we arrived in England. This is because of all the wonderful sites that they have and take care of. We have used our card for free admission so many times, it is almost embarrassing, and we were able to use it one more time here in Battle. Heck, it even pays for our parking in most of the places as well. The “Battle Abbey” and the fields around it, is the location that the invading Normans defeated the Anglo Saxons in 1066 and we were able to stand on “The” site were King Harold fell and died. Most of the original buildings were destroyed, but some were rebuilt soon after. One of the best preserved, is the Great Gatehouse. It is said to be the finest of the surviving medieval abbey entrances. It is used daily by the teachers and special guests who drive their cars onto the grounds of the private school that now occupies the courtyard of the abbey. In walking around the abbey grounds and then out into the fields were the battle was actually held, was interesting, to think that my grandfather may have grown up playing in this field, and a thought on the other side, thinking of all those that lost their lives on this “Battle Field”.
Just as we were walking along a portion of the exterior wall that overlooks Battle, we noticed that a band, and 3 different military groups were lining up for a march through town. We saw them off from our position on the wall, and then finished our tour. After walking through the gates of the Great Gatehouse, we saw the small band sitting in a small courtyard in the main part of town and playing songs. Just across the street from them I saw a great place to have a “cup of coffee”… well, I was ready… I really enjoyed Battle. It is a small, quaint, and friendly place to visit and I’m sure, live.
After getting back, we found that we just weren’t hungry enough to make up dinner, so we pulled out this computer, slipped in a movie (Fiddler on The Roof), and settled in for a couple of hours before closing our eyes for the night. Oh, I forgot to mention I had bought something new… A couple of campgrounds back, a van somewhat similar to ours, was parked behind us. I had noticed a small tent set up behind it, but kind of passed it off to being for the dog, or maybe the “Dog House”. Upon questioning, I found they had it for storage so when they get to the campgrounds, they don’t have to “shuffle” everything around so they can take the van out. They told me they had paid $20 for it, and it was worth every penny of it….I found a sale and paid $5.24 !!! I already love it !!! We pulled in to camp, put all the “extras” in it, and we were ready to leave with Bumble Bee anytime we wanted…and we did…
Hastings? Well, not yet, but Battle we found to be a great stop. It seems that I have some ties to Battle through family. I wont go into a lot of detail, but that we know, goes back to “Thomas Goodman” being born in Battle in 1840 or there about. Sunday, we went into town after setting up at this fantastic campground, and had fun going through one of the many cemeteries looking for someone with the “Goodman” name on their tombstone. I’m sure it doesn’t surprise anyone, but we didn’t have any luck… I know I told you that we had purchased a “English Heritage” membership when we arrived in England. This is because of all the wonderful sites that they have and take care of. We have used our card for free admission so many times, it is almost embarrassing, and we were able to use it one more time here in Battle. Heck, it even pays for our parking in most of the places as well. The “Battle Abbey” and the fields around it, is the location that the invading Normans defeated the Anglo Saxons in 1066 and we were able to stand on “The” site were King Harold fell and died. Most of the original buildings were destroyed, but some were rebuilt soon after. One of the best preserved, is the Great Gatehouse. It is said to be the finest of the surviving medieval abbey entrances. It is used daily by the teachers and special guests who drive their cars onto the grounds of the private school that now occupies the courtyard of the abbey. In walking around the abbey grounds and then out into the fields were the battle was actually held, was interesting, to think that my grandfather may have grown up playing in this field, and a thought on the other side, thinking of all those that lost their lives on this “Battle Field”.
Just as we were walking along a portion of the exterior wall that overlooks Battle, we noticed that a band, and 3 different military groups were lining up for a march through town. We saw them off from our position on the wall, and then finished our tour. After walking through the gates of the Great Gatehouse, we saw the small band sitting in a small courtyard in the main part of town and playing songs. Just across the street from them I saw a great place to have a “cup of coffee”… well, I was ready… I really enjoyed Battle. It is a small, quaint, and friendly place to visit and I’m sure, live.
After getting back, we found that we just weren’t hungry enough to make up dinner, so we pulled out this computer, slipped in a movie (Fiddler on The Roof), and settled in for a couple of hours before closing our eyes for the night. Oh, I forgot to mention I had bought something new… A couple of campgrounds back, a van somewhat similar to ours, was parked behind us. I had noticed a small tent set up behind it, but kind of passed it off to being for the dog, or maybe the “Dog House”. Upon questioning, I found they had it for storage so when they get to the campgrounds, they don’t have to “shuffle” everything around so they can take the van out. They told me they had paid $20 for it, and it was worth every penny of it….I found a sale and paid $5.24 !!! I already love it !!! We pulled in to camp, put all the “extras” in it, and we were ready to leave with Bumble Bee anytime we wanted…and we did…