From The North Pole to Terraced Teston

It really felt like a summer's day today so why not head for the North Pole? O.K so it may not have been the the actual point in the northern hemisphere where the earth's axis of rotation meets its surface and actually a 19th Century pub of the same name in Wateringbury five miles south east of Maidstone but what it may lack in constantly shifting sea ice and passing polar bears it more than makes up for with a glorious pub garden, no chance of frostbite whilst you're enjoying your drinks and at least if anybody asks where you've been you can still casually answer "just to the North Pole and back"! :-)
As it was such a glorious day we decided to stop off at Teston Bridge Country Park on the way home. We had a lovely stroll around the parkland and down to the rivers edge and lockside. My main image is taken from the lock across to the opposite bank of the river where these row of wonderfully characterful terraced cottages sit atop a garden which almost feels like it's been carved into the hillside. The extra is one of several wooden carvings situated next to the lock which forms part of an art trail through the park - I liked this particular boating themed example with an open section that acts as frame to some wildflowers beyond. We finished our walk with a strong coffee and a chocolate muffin whilst catching a few more precious rays of sun.