This morning we were met by a rail workers strike, making it extremely challenging for us to take the train into Victoria Station and down to Gatwick where w were to pick up our hire car, as had been so carefully planned. In the end we took a minicab all the way to Gatwick. It cost us a fortune - £95!

We collected the hire car. Mum and Dad are happy as we have been upgraded to a 7 seater Seat 'Umbraho'. It is spacious and comfy, but not so well suited to English lanes ?.

We went to lunch at the Swan Inn at Edenbridge, where the Brown family had first been introduced to Eton Mess on our visit 2 years ago. Unfortunately it is not currently on the menu so we couldn’t reminisce.

We then drove to Capers Farm, the first of our official Family History locations. By an enormous coincidence, Tristan, the new owner was home for the first time in 4 months. He is a lawyer in London, but happened to be working from home today. He was so kind, showing us through the house and sharing in its history. We all had tea out in the sun and we walked all over the property. It is a lovely place, with its babbling brook and fields. We exchanged our addresses and invited Tristan to come to Australia and visit with his wife and two young children. He is keen to restore the house as it has been let go over the last 10 years or so. Mum is so pleased that the house will be looked after.