Dartford

Over a week ago, the men, i.e. Walter, Steve, Scott, Aaron, Patrick, plus Patrick's friends, went to Dusseldorf, Germany, to celebrate Patrick's forthcoming marriage to Donna.    A bucks weekend.   Although I believe there were some in the party that consumed too much of the brown liquid on the Friday, and suffered the next day,  most of the time was spent being tourists, discovering Dusseldorf.    That is what they told us, anyway.  

Luckily for them the weather was brilliant, sunny and very warm, so they were able to spend quite a lot of time sitting in cafes and watching the barges go past on the Rhine River, visiting a fair ground on the Sunday, and then watching it being dismantled on the Monday (very interesting with all the large machinery), visiting the museum, walking and admiring the longest bar in the world.   The longest bar is actually a series of windows in buildings along the Rhine, where local beer is served and consumed at the tables which are set up along on the pavement.    Our men seemed to know a lot about the longest bar.   They all had a great time though and came back very happy.   

We had a relaxing few days on our own, all the girls, Donna, Lucy, Emma, Isabel plus our one male, Jackson.    Jackson did point out on a number of occasions that he was the only male in the family that did not go to Dusseldorf.   What can you say to a 10 year old! 

As well as lots of coffee, a few wines, plenty of talking, and a short session of nail painting, we ventured out on the Saturday to visit Dartford in order to do a little shopping as well as spend time in Dartford Park, mostly the playground.    I know Dartford is not the most glamorous of places but it actually was quite a pleasant afternoon.

The park was buzzing with music, and activities, courtesy of the local churches.

The trio posing on, and under, the small bridge in the park.

A brilliant flower display.

Bright and cheerful colours.

The bandstand.    Unfortunately this photograph was taken at the end, when the band members were packing up so of course people had already left the grass.

I hear that Dartford has been given a regeneration grant, which should go a long way to brighten the shopping area up, and perhaps bring the shoppers back again.