Robertsbridge

After some rest and recovery at the tent (a cup of tea!) we decided to take a look at nearby Robertsbridge. Maybe in my mind I still had memories of 1961 and that ‘Last train’ on the old Kent and East Sussex Railway which travelled from Robertsbridge to Tenterden. In the end we didn’t actually visit the station.

Once upon a time this broad street was the main road from London to Hastings. But Robertsbridge got a by-pass in 1989 and life probably became much sleepier.

We could see what a pretty place it is.

Village sign and war memorial/clock tower.

Here’s a dwelling to match anything anywhere. It’s just lovely.

But so were other buildings along the main street.

A weather boarded side street.

A rather cheeky looking tea set in a Robertsbridge shop window.

The letter box and the utterly out of date stamp machine.

Towards the top of the town.

Some good homes on the road down to the station.

But this was our closest approach to the railway.

My Uncle Bill somewhat re-engineered this line for electrification. The tunnels, which were too narrow for normal trains, were made single track and then normal trains fitted.

The River Rother passes through Robertsbridge and maybe that gave the old KESR its original name of the Rother Valley Railway. Enthusiasts are trying to extend the line from Bodiam to Robertsbridge. Track is laid at both ends and there’s about a mile and a half to go. But some people object and I’m not sure how they propose to cross that main A21 Robertsbridge by-pass. A level crossing just wouldn’t be allowed, would it?

Anyway, this is the terminus of the track out of Robertsbridge.

They have put up appropriate notices.

This board, beginning to be overtaken by weeds, tells us about the proposals.

And that, was enough for the day.