HCI on site and Meet & Greet



Some of the Hymers in the Gravesend Rugby Club car park.



Carol watches as the Meet & Greet takes shape.





Carol outlines the plans in the evening sunshine.



First time HCI rallyers Sheila & Bryan meet President Vic.



Spot the driver.

Outing to the Historic Chatham Dockyard



Cars and Hymers transported us to the Chatham Dockyard.



It was our guide's first day, but she was excellent.



HCI members go aboard HMS Gannet (1878).



HMS Gannet was a sloop of the Victorian Royal Navy
and our guide gave us an informative tour.



In the Commander's Cabin onboard HMS Gannet
with a view down to the steering gear.



Time for contemplation at the National Destroyer Memorial.



Alongside the memorial is HMS Cavalier
the Royal Navy's last operational Second World War destroyer.
It is now preserved at Chatham as a memorial to the 143 British destroyers
and over 11,000 men lost at sea during the war.



In the quarter mile long Ropery we saw how ropes were still made in the traditional way.



One of our rallyers helping to make rope, picture by Mary C.



The guided tour finished alongside this large-scale model of HMS Victory in the museum .

Evening Barbecue



Working up an appetite - chatting as always!



The 'volunteer' chefs - Carol's son and grandson - did a magnificent job.



Serving up under Carol's supervision.



Paul tells a shaggy dog story.

Guided Tour of Gravesend



The Pocahontas statue was the starting point for our guided tour.
Pocahontas died at Gravesend and her funeral took place
in St George's church where this statue is erected.



Our guide was very informative, her knowledge of the history of Gravesend . .



. . and her enthusiasm for sharing were boundless.



The river front near the Royal pier.



St Andrews Arts Centre - Originally built as a Mission church in 1871
for the waterside community of Gravesend..



Ongoing excavations alongside the river.



The tour ended inside the impressive Gravesend Blockhouse.

Wednesday evening in the Clubhouse



Carol and assistant Rally Officer Michael plot the evening's darts championships.



Carol masterminds the selection of the darts teams.



Watching the tense darts finals.

Guided Tour of Rochester



Carol sorts out the two groups at the Tourist Office.



The first stop was only next door - The Poor Travellers' House
Sir Richard Watts (1529-1579) left money in his will for the benefit of six poor travellers,
each of whom would be given lodging and 'entertainment' for one night,
before being sent on their way with fourpence.



Charles Dickens' chalet in Rochester where he wrote his last words.



At Restoration House we bumped into the other group with their colourful guide.



Rochester cathedral Lara listening to the Dickens historical tour,
picture and caption by Mary C.



Paying attention to our excellent guide.



This fascinating sculpture of a monk was carved from
the trunk of a 100 year old Plane Tree by the international sculptor Robert Koenig.



Near the cathedral the guide berated property values in this terrace.



At the riverside.



Some HCI members joined in the Tudor dancing in Rochester cathedral.



Both Roger & Erica . .



. . and Ken & Elaine performed elegantly!

Final evening



Some of the delicious dishes at the American supper
including the scrumptious mini-pizzas.



Half an acre of Angie's amazing bread & butter pudding coming out of the oven!



Beryl & Chris won the Gravesend quiz.



The winning darts team with bull's-eye specialist Edna!



Angie won Anita's 'Sweet Sixteen' quiz.



Anita's caption competition was won by Ken & Elaine.



HCI President Vic thanks Rally Officers Carol & Derek
and the assistants Anita and Michael.