Staying at the Smithy in Bodsham.

Day one, I always over pack and still manage to forget something, this time it was tomato ketchup as I found out as I was unpacking, it's not the end of the World. As I’m on holiday, I had  to go shopping, out and about as Julie. Lover it!

When going to the Smithy, which is a converted forge into holiday lets, Yes I did make sure the owners know that I’m transgender, which I had to have a conversation with the owner as I was a bit early I actually broke down with a flat battery, so I rang the owner, and he couldn’t (didn’t have the car) help but did give me the number of a local garage.

So I phoned the garage, and he said he was waiting for a chap to come back and give me a call back, well time went on, and I looked up the garage, and they were closing at 5pm. I was about a mile and a half from the garage, which was on my way to Bodsham.

As the light was fading, I decided to walk, yes walk in inch high heels down very narrow, muddy, peppered with holes, lanes, there were a few cars, but they didn't stop to ask If I was OK, so I reached the garage, and it was still open to my surprise, I asked if they could have a look at the car, and I had my knight in shining armer, or in this case a pickup with a jumper pack! So we went back to the car and got it started, and I went on my way to the holiday let.

So I’m going to check if the car starts in the morning and will go back to the garage and get a new battery, it's about £250 (not fitted) as it needs to be a stop-start battery. All as Julie, and my legs and feet are feeling the pain.

Day two, Battery on my mind, the car started, so I decided to get a new one battery, it was recommended on the service. I went to Halford Ashford, they were very helpful, and I noticed they were LGBT+ friendly by the flag in the window.  I went food shopping, Julie goes to Iceland and ends up in Lidl, in my defence it was a confusing one way system, but it was cheaper and easier to find.

I think this is an interesting situation, while the man was changing my battery he needed two hands, but the + cable kept spring back in to position, I could have easily given him a hand if I was in male mode but being in female Julie mode, I just stood there, playing damsel in distress. Do women do this on purpose and play helpless? I like it!

So after all that I went to the Tickled Trout in Wye, for a pint and a chicken and bacon wrap. It needed more mayo! It was pleasant and the women serving were nice enough. Then back with the shopping to Bodsham. Then chilled out for the rest of the day. I saw a Barn owl, as I looked out of the window, as it glided silently in the light of dusk.

Day three, “Here comes the rain again” in my head by Annie Lennox or “I Can't Stand the Rain” by Tina Turner (showing my age), this has to be the wettest September ever! Must have a tide-up before I go out, it looks like I have trashed the place.

Well, it chucked it down, on the way to the Old Gate Inn, just outside of Canterbury, I have been before, almost a year ago. It was enjoyable, got a table and had a Peroni larger and Port belly with crackling, very nice too, staff friendly. Remembered to do my reg number, or you can be fined £100. Popped into a garden centre on the way back, but there was nothing, the café was closed. So I went back to the cottage and took some pictures for my Flickr page. I decided to try out the local Chinese takeaway, it was OK, not the best but edible.

Day four, went shopping, need some makeup supplies and a few essentials. As the weather is still wet, decided to go to Ashford Cinema and see Jurassic World rebirth, as it's been showing for a while now, times are limited so the earliest was 3:50 pm, there was only 6 of us in the cinema and I would give it a 5/10, let's say its hanging on by its claws as a franchise! I stopped for a pee and coffee break at a Beefeater, the coffee was OK but the rest of it has gone down hill, sticky tables, unentreated staff, grubby etc… I give it a 3/10, and that's the coffee making it a 3.

After that, I came back to the cottage to freshen up and touch up my makeup and get changed for an evening at the pub. I went to Timber Batts @ the compasses, they used to own a pub in Bodsham and had to move due to lease. It has unusual tastes in decor, Nice people Ross and Sarah, with their friendly dogs called Moose (Great Dane) a Ziggy (Terrier), a good evening of conversation. I had 3 J2o’s, as I was driving.

Day five, planning on a chill out day, food in the fridge, and save a bit of cash. Might start on the Cottage review. I have washed my car, I know it will be covered in mud as soon as I go out. The Sun was actually out so I had breakfast and lunch in the garden. I even got the sun lounger out and had a lay in the sun, I did pack a bikini but is a bit cold for that. I saw my first bat today, I have bats flying at home (outside), It drives my cat a bit batty, she can hear them but probably think they are a strange bird.

Day six, I went to Leeds Castle which has their Sculpture trail, as they do every year and I also needed to get a new year pass ticket, especially when Christmas is almost around the corner. There was one with a face, chained to a tree, near the bat roosts. I thought it was the best one, it looked like a death cast of a face. Then I went to my local garden centre, as a member they give me discounts, so coffee was a £1 and as it was my birthday a few weeks ago I get a free cake! Went straight to the hips!!!

I then popped into home to check up on my cat, she has a cat sitter, my cat seams a bit off, I like to think she is missing me. I gave her some chicken, so she should be OK. Then I went to a few shop to see if I can get a bargain or two. There were a few dresses I liked, but I don’t really need them, and I am limited on space.

Then I sent food shopping and drove back to the cottage. Another day as Julie, If things were different, I think I would consider being a woman full-time, I am happy being Julie. One question has crossed my mind is: How do people see me? As I am out and about I get treated as a woman, I look like one, I have to be honest, if they see me as transgender, do I care? No!

Day seven, day of rest, maybe for the wicked! So I just want to mention, a lot of villages don’t have shops, not even a post office or pub any more, so planning is needed to get supplies! On one of the reviews, marks were reduced due to the lack of amenities, Its village life and not the owner's fault. So when you go out visiting a place, go shopping after wards!

My plan for today is a Sunday lunch! I have been scouring the internet for local pubs/restaurants and comparing prices, some are very high! So I am going to Dobbies Garden centre for a Sunday roast for £15 or three meats for £17.50, or I would be looking at £25+ at a pub/restaurant and that's without any drinks. I have to say wasn’t disappointed, the lady serving cut the meat, roast beef a bit too thick, one of her colleagues complained, but she didn't care. I had it with a large latte, which came £18.95, which was not a bad price.

After that I went back to the cottage and as the sun was shining, I decided to sunbathe, I did remember to pack my bathing costume with sun cream and a sarong, so I was out there for a few hours, I was waiting also for my clothes washing to finish in the washing machine.

Day eight, It's a Monday, 8th September 2025, just for the record. I am thinking sea air! I decided to go to the Battle of Britain Memorial, I have been before, just have to pay for parking, and a coffee. Furthermore, I had a good noise around, I saw a formation of Spitfires, overhead. I went near the cliff edge, My knees started knocking, there is no fence. There are two marked spots where male have jumped, sod that! It's a good view, can see France, way in the distance.

After that I went to the Black Bull pub, Hungry Horse owned in Folkestone, It was busier than I thought it would be, had to order at the bar, a Pint of Heineken and a Korean Burger and chips. Not bad, came to £15. I would give it 7/10, the ladies loos are clean, the staff were not as attentive as the reviews suggest! 

Then I followed my noise down to Hythe, just to have another noise around, checked out some charity shops, the price was not charitable tho! Nothing caught my eye. I went into some gift shops, I loved it when I was a kid, Aladdin's cave of toot, all those shiny knick-knacks. A couple of quid these days won’t buy you much! Then I went back to the cottage, to enjoy the last of the sun.

Day nine, I went to Dobbies for breakfast, it was nice, had a look around the garden centre, I looked at some hand cream which was £17.50, it was nice smell and was super soft. But I couldn't justify the price. Then I went to ADSA, I perched some bras, knickers, and some hand cream, and a few other bits. Then I went back to the cottage, and relaxed.

Day ten, I decided to go to breakfast, in Wye, the New Horse Inn had stopped serving breakfast, so I had to go to The Wye Coffee Shop and Kitchen, it had mixed reviews, there were only a few people in there, the service was OK, and the classic breakfast was OK, a bit on the small side, and it came with coffee, all for £10. 

After that, I returned to the cottage and started to pack and give the cottage a clean and hover. Just encase I oversleep and leave some bits behind. I have half packed the car, so it was a relaxing departure. I did leave early so I could stop off on the way home. The holiday as Julie was most enjoyable.