A Trombonist...stays in Kent

Tuesday 24th October

At around 6:30pm Dad and I left to go to see Ebbsfleet play Torquay United. Having parked in Car Park C of Ebbsfleet International Station, we made the short (ten minute) walk from there to the ground. It was dark, but not cold, and the home fans we met on arrival were friendly and commented on the long journey we must have made. The ground is small and dated, but undergoing refurbishment with a new, if half finished, grandstand along one side. Despite it being unsegregated the majority of Torquay fans were gathered in what would have been the away end, an open terrace. Once it became clear which way the teams were attacking in the first half, we were soon joined by a number of Ebbsfleet fans.

Torquay lined up in a 3-5-2 (wingback) formation as follows:

Vincent Dorel;

Michee Efete, Josh Gowling, Sean McGinty;

Ryan Higgins,                                                                     Liam Davis;

Luke Young, Callum Evans;

Josh McQuoid;

Jamie Reid, Rhys Murphy.

Bench: Clarke, Lathrope, Keating, Dowling, Myrie-Williams 

Goals: Jamie Reid, 62'

The first 45 minutes was a drab affair. The home side had the bulk of possession, but offered little with it save for a shot that flashed across Dorel’s goal and a header over the bar. Torquay were ponderous and slow in attack but did create the best opportunities. Luke Young had a long shot well saved and, having seen Jamie Reid’s effort fly across the face of the goal, Ryan Higgins smashed a shot into the side netting. Either because of the shot or, more likely, the huge Ebbsfleet keeper falling into it,  the net broke and there was a lengthy delay as someone tried to locate the ground staff to fix it. After two calls over the PA system, two men eventually appeared and wandered up to the other end seemingly without a care in the world. The remainder of the half continued in a similar vein and it was well and truly a dull 0-0 at half time. The teams emerged into the warm Kent evening after the break and it was clear both managers were keen to change the pace of the game. Ebbsfleet made a substitution at half time, but Torquay, from the kick off, were fast and keen, snapping into tackles and pressuring the back four and goalkeeper who was receiving a warm welcome from the away fans. The goalkeeper was a giant of a man; yet he seemed to be wearing a kit several sizes too small for him, which added to the amusement of the traveling fans positioned behind his net. A good chance missed by Rhys Murphy and overplaying in attacking positions was leading me to think that Torquay would come away with nothing to show for their efforts. After some good work by Liam Davis on the left, Jamie Reid picked up the ball and dribbled across goal. “He really needs to stop taking so many touches….” I began but, before I’d finished that sentence, the ball had flown into the top corner. What do I know anyway?!  While the goal sparked Ebbsfleet into life, they continued to huff and puff without really threatening Vincent Dorel, and Torquay continued to be a threat on the counter attack. The key moment came midway through the half when, having whipped the ball in from a free kick in the Torquay left back position, the home crowd cheered and the Ebbsfleet players turned away to celebrate. Turning to each other to express our dismay it took a few moments before the Torquay fans realised that Dorel had emerged with the ball and was launching another attack. As full time approached, the game changed again. Torquay had changed their front three attacking players and while they launched some quick counters, nothing came from them and Ebbsfleet were pushing further and further forward. Despite the sustained pressure Torquay held on to claim their first away win (and only second in total) of the season.

Wednesday 25th October

Despite arranging with Dad that I would meet him and Mum in Tunbridge Wells after work, I found myself climbing into their car outside the office at 3:30pm. With Aunty Angela also there, the four of us travelled to the Fir Tree Tea Rooms in Penshurst.   I had been here before with colleagues from work and had recommended it to Mum and Dad. As before, the experience was lovely with the four of us sharing sandwiches, scones, cakes and different types of tea. The garden in which we were sat was quiet and peaceful as we watched the sun sinking below the horizon. Feeling thoroughly relaxed, we drove to Penshurst Place and had a look around the gardens and in the shop before we set off for Eridge Village Hall where we were due to meet Steph. I had arranged for us to have a second look at the hall as a possible reception venue but this time Mum, Dad, Aunty Angela, Mel and Helen would be joining us. We spent a good deal of time there investigating the size and the facilities, including mocking up a barn dance.  Despite loving the character and setting with views out across the Kent countryside, ultimately we all felt it was just too small for what we were wanting. Having said goodbye to Helen and Mel, we headed down into town in search of somewhere for tea. With Steph joining us, we settled on a place called ‘Bill’s’. Stuffed to the gills, we exited a while later and, having dropped Steph off, we headed home.

Saturday 28th October

Having bought me a young person’s membership to the National Trust, in the hope that it would help me get out and about and walk more, Mum and Dad decided to strike while the iron was hot and took me to Chartwell for the day. The former residence of Sir Winston Churchill, this Tudor house (extended by Churchill) is set in in a small valley in the rolling Kent countryside. I suspect the hundreds of photos that I took during the day, and now safely on my computer, will do it far more justice than my words can, yet I will do my best. I loved the colours and the smells of autumn. I enjoyed the hot chocolate we had in the coffee shop and the walk through the entrance and down the path to the grounds. We stood on the lawn and looked into the distance; the view was utterly stunning. We walked through into the walled kitchen garden looking at the produce growing and Mum bought me some cooking pears. We then went down and had lunch by the gallery. Dad and I then went into the gallery before heading up to the house to have a look around. Having had to book a time slot, we went into the house at 1:30pm and followed the planned route looking at the artefacts and hearing the stories from the guides in each room. Having completed our walk around the building, we went outside and had a cup of tea by the croquet lawn. Heading back down through the walled garden we made our way to the lake at the bottom of the hill. There are walks across the lake and up into the woods on the other side, but we didn’t have suitable footwear to undertake these in the slightly boggy conditions. Instead, we spent time looking at the huge fish in the lake as well as a family of black swans. As we made our way along the bank, we spotted a heron in a tree.

All in all, it had been a great day out, and a fitting end to an excellent week.