Batemans, home of Rudyard Kipling

A day out at Batemans, home of Rudyard Kipling, as it was Susan's birthday. The weather was unkind most of the day with torrential rain on the way there and while we were in the house. It cleared up at the end of the afternoon, allowing a bit of a walk to look at the gardens and catch this classical view of the house.

I haven't read much of Kipling's work but was highly influenced by his writing through the Cubs and Scouts. Kipling and Baden-Powell were friends and much of the lore of the Scouting movement was based on Kipling's books, especially the Jungle Books. The names of all our leaders came from the tales; Akela, Kim, Bahheera and Baloo.

We had lunch in the cafe, just in time really as a coach party came in as we were in the queue. Rather disappointed in the food; soup thin, watery and cool and quite expensive too. Found this recently in National Trust cafes.

Susan seemed to have a good time at Bateman's and we got back in time to go to her guitar lesson while I prepared a birthday supper of Pimms and cheese stuffed olives and peppers, tarragon salmon, sweet potato fries and green beans followed by birthday cake.