Richmond (rest day)

We stayed at 66 Frenchgate which was in the quarter of Richmond where the French workers and their families lived. They came to build some of Richmond's fine old buildings and even today a number of landmarks and street names still testify to their having lived here. In fact the name Richmond (the mother of all 50 or so Richmonds around the world) comes from the French "riche monte" meaning strong hill.

 66 Frenchgate, our B&B in Richmond

A special mention to the B&B at 66 Frenchgate. The views were spectacular from the high part of the town and the landlord, Ralph Doy, was a mine of local information and interesting history. He was also very helpful and later showed his worth when a Danish walker who had stayed there realised a day or two later that she had left her passport in one shop or another. After unsuccessfully trying to contact the shops she rang Ralph who walked around town asking in the shops on her behalf. Great service, though unsuccessful as it turned out.

In the Georgian Theatre at Richmond

The rest day was a slowish one, browsing shops and museums and antiquities. We ate a pretty disappointing meal at the chippy but lingered around the town square with its seven pubs on the promise of a folk session at the Bishop Blaize Hotel. (Bishop Blaize is the patron saint of wool combers, a piece of trivia that should either start a discussion or end one!)

A few people with guitars drifted in and later, and ominously, three bodhrans (goatskin hand drums) also appeared. However the session was lively, friendly and fun. Although nobody showed much skill with the bodhran they mercifully played them softly. The Australian visitors were the focus of the night as people tried to remember songs from or about Australia. The chap next to me sang the Eric Bogle song, "Now I'm Easy" and was delighted to learn from us what a cocky actually is (and why). Someone else sang "The Man From Kiandra". Geordie and I made our own contributions before the session disintegrated and we tumbled out just before midnight.