St George's Day, Easter and Royal Wedding!

Has been a while since been on, I've been a busy bee! Weather has been glorious here in the South East for the past 3 weeks, let's hope it keeps up for the Royal Wedding day. Do let me know if you are doing anything for it? I think we'll be having a little picnic while watching it. Plenty of places in the South East are doing street parties though.

I had a fun job in Brighton a week back which was a Ghost Tour for a group of Dutch schoolchildren. Managed to scare a few of them which their friends found funny!

St George's Day was on Saturday, and I went up to London with some friends. We called into Leadenhall Market which is normally quite quiet at weekends, but there was a real knees up going on with a Pearly King and Queen there, and a band playing classic tunes, and even the Pearly King joined in on the spoons!! Some St George's ale was consumed and we all wore red roses in our hats to get into the spirit of things.

It has felt like summer but I keep having to remind myself that it's only April. First BBQ of the year though was on Easter Sunday.

A lot of people are taking the 3 days off between the Easter weekend and the Royal wedding/Mayday weekend, as they can get 11 whole days off for 3! Lucky them! It never stops being a guide, but that's all part of the job.

Surprising how much time planning tours takes, but you dig up some gems of information. Had a good morning today getting in contact about a possible job in July. It's all ideas at the moment, but will keep you all posted when things are confirmed!

Turner Contemporary in Margate OPENS TODAY!

Margate's Turner Contemporary Gallery

Well, today is the day that Margate has been waiting for. It has taken almost 20 years to realise, and over £17 million, but today, 16 April 2011, is the day that the Turner Contemporary Gallery opens to the world.


Built to celebrate J.M.W. Turner's associations with Margate and supported by the modern British artist, Tracey Emin who was brought up in the town, the striking building really stands out, and it is hoped will bring much regeneration to Margate. The Gallery was designed by British architect David Chipperfield.

There have been 4 preview days over the past week, and one friend of mine was lucky enough to be invited along. She said that it was a wonderful space for art and had fantastic views out to sea. I can't wait to go myself.

The opening exhibition is a celebration of the new Gallery and showcases 6 contemporary artists works alongside the work of Turner himself. Find out more by clicking on the link above. To Discover Margate with Discover South East England, please contact me directly.

Success!

The coveted Blue Badge!

Well, received the good news on Thursday afternoon. I have passed all of my exams and I am now officially a Blue Badge Tourist Guide for South East England! How exciting! Badge giving ceremony in a month's time at Rochester Cathedral.

Celebrated with a tour of Brighton for a group of American University students on Saturday morning and a Treasure Hunt in the afternoon, thanks to http://www.brightonwalks.com

This week must get cracking with sorting out tours, walks and talks. They all take up so much time to prepare, but it will all be good in the long run. I will also start work on my website too, and the logo is beginning to come together thanks to a friend who is helping me.

Even better, the weather in South East England this week has been glorious, and I hope it continues to be!

Remember, for group or individually bespoke tours, please do not hesitate to contact me, your South East England Blue Badge Guide, Catherine Pitt on 07759 226060 or via email - discoversoutheastengland@gmail.com

Rochester Walking Tour

Charles Dickens

Sunday, I had my first solo tour of Rochester with a lovely group of American students and their tutors. They were concentrating on Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations", and so I was able to tailor their tour to include many of the buildings that Dickens wrote about.

2011 is the 150th anniversary of the publication of "Great Expectations" and next year, 2012, will be the bicentenary of Dickens' birth. Plenty will be going on in Rochester and tours will be in demand! Rochester has a Dickens' Festival every June and a Christmas Dickens' Festival in December too.

The tour on Sunday lasted about 2 1/2 hours as I included in the circular tour of the city a tour of Rochester Cathedral, the second oldest cathedral in England (after Canterbury Cathedral), the Castle bailey area and we also viewed some of the Guildhall too.

All the places, such as the Guildhall, Visitor Centre and Cathedral were very accommodating and made organising the trip a pleasure. I hope that once the American college return home I will have some positive feedback to add to my site. It was certainly an enjoyable tour for me. If you wish to book a guided tour of Rochester, please do not hesitate to contact me - Catherine Pitt, your personal, professional Tour Guide.

Rochester Castle