Saturday 11th July (Day 1)
So after over ten weeks in lockdown (Coronavirus - Covid19) we were off on a jaunt. As we couldn’t get onto the site until 2.00pm the plan was to go to Herne Bay and park on the sea front for lunch. We left at 11.00am and, after a short stop (we forgot the frozen prawns) we were off. A quick stop at Costco service station for their cheap diesel and then over the QEII bridge. A gantry on the M25 informed us of problems on the M2 so plan B - miss Herne Bay and take M20. We stopped at Folkestone services for our lunch and then on to Sandwich (Delf Nurseries, a certified location). Here we were warmly welcomed and then met up with Chris and Carolyn. After they had had a snack we opted for a walk around Sandwich which none of us had been to. It is one of the ‘Cinque Ports’. All the information boards are in both English and French. For anyone who has missed this place in Kent, it is a gem. Old buildings, twisty lanes with unusual names eg.’No Name Street’. Our walk was through the town and on to Richborough Fort. A pleasant walk along a river over the main railway line (literally) ‘plunging’ through woods and over fields. (We have never had a route description use the word ‘plunge’ a very unusual word for a walking guide.) We (I) got us all a bit lost which added a short extra distance to the route and then around the old fort. Back into town and, for Chris and I, our first pint in a pub for ten weeks or so. Shepherd Neame - lovely! By the time we returned it was around 7.00pm and Chris K did a curry for the four of us and we sat and chatted watching a glorious sunset develop. No sun = a bit chilly so we retired to Chris and Carolyn’s Motorhome to chat further and before we knew it it was midnight so bed. A good start to the trip.
Sunday 12th July (Day 2)
So a nice sunny start to the day with good weather forecast. A good start to the day as, after showering etc, a mini Big Boys Breakfast. We then discussed options for a walk. By about 10.30am the four of us were off. It turned out to be a nice varied walk. First a stroll into Sandwich before walking part of the walls of the town to the river, the Sandwich Haven. Quite a busy path (we were still able to easily keep our distance from people) with many enjoying the hot weather. This gave way to a soft ground that was sandy soil and then we were crossing the Royal St George Golf Course where the Golf Open should have been taking place. (It obviously wasn’t which was good for us as (a) we would not have found anywhere to stay and (b) had we done so the price would be at least doubled.) Having crossed the links we arrived at the shoreline with Ramsgate over to our left clearly in view. There were a lot of cars, vans and motorhomes already parked up with a great sea views, but room for many more. We walked towards Deal but, upon reaching a private housing estate we walked inland. The houses were all different (and clearly expensive) and we each picked our favourite. We then walked alongside a road for a short distance to a wild bird observatory and then across open fields to a small village called Worthy. Here we stopped in The Crispin Inn’s large garden for a couple of pints before a short, mile or so, walk back to the motorhomes. Then just a laze in the sunshine with a cup of tea before a Spag Bol. Around 8.00pm it was chilling down and the air was getting damp so we retired to our Motorhome and chatted until around 10.30pm when sleep was the order of the day.
Monday 13th July (Day 3)
Today we were going into Deal. So after breakfast we went to Sandwich rail station and caught a train for the seven minute trip to Deal. Arriving before 11.00am we walked along the short High Street before going to the seafront. There was a short concrete pier which was not very nice to look at but we walked along it anyway. Originally the plan was to then walk north and back to ‘base’. However, Chris K wanted a pint at the Zetland Arms, which featured in a TV production ‘The Liar’. So southwards we went. We passed the memorial bandstand which was erected in memory of the eleven military bandsman who died in 1989 at the Deal Garrison - a bomb atrocity. We also found out that Julius Caesar most likely landed here having found Dover too well defended in AD55. When he arrived at Deal a fierce battle ensued. So ‘“Veni, Vid, Vici” was nearly “bugger it let’s go home”. We continued southwards towards the pub and on and on. The Zetland Arms was just before the cliffs so added almost three miles each way to our route with no bus route to help. The pub was formerly called ‘The Earl of Zetland’ after a boat that foundered and sank in 1860 on the way to Ramsgate. More than that I do not know. Anyway the outside was very busy, with even the benches on the prom, looking out to sea, full. Everyone was well distanced. As we arrived a couple moved from the table right outside the pub so we scooted into the seats very pleased with our luck. A couple of pints sitting in the lovely sunshine watching the world go by followed. Then the return walk. All the benches along the sea front were dedicated to various, now departed, friends and family. One was of particular interest to us. It was different from the rest as it was a metal bench not wood. It had four stars and the centre one showed it was in remembrance of a Breck David LaFave Bernard who died in February 2014. The reason this was known to us is the person who killed him was an ex-cub from the pack we ran. He was late teens when he committed the offence and serving a long sentence quite rightly. Even when six years old one of the beaver leaders informed us they thought he would commit some serious crime when older and we agreed having had him in our pack for three years. Anyway on to happier things. We continued along the shoreline until we were back at the Royal St Georges Golf Course and then turned inland following yesterdays route. On the last bit we found a fledgling song thrush that had, possibly, tried to leave the nest too early. It was just sitting on the side of a driveway not moving. We got really close up photos but left it not knowing wether it was better to move it or not - deciding on luck / nature to take its course. It was gone 6.00pm when we got back ‘home’, foot weary but having had an enjoyable day (over 14 miles and 32,000 steps). Christopher then cooked a stir fry and we sat and chatted until it cooled down then into their motorhome before an earlyish night. Rain is the forecast for tomorrow.
Tuesday 14th July (Day 4)
With the forecast being at best ‘dodgy’ and after the long walk yesterday today was a ‘Sandwich’ day. After breakfast we strolled into Sandwich and walked part of the town wall again until the local nature reserve which we walked around, unimpressed and bug bitten. A stroll around the river area, which in years gone by formed the major port for the country (despite the two or so miles form the sea). We were surprised to see US Navy boat P-22. It was used to prevent the Russians gaining an unfair expansion from East to West Germany in WWII. Also it was used fo the film’Dunkirk”. We had lunch by the guildhall - chips - before a couple of pints at a pub. We then returned to the motorhomes and also bought some good local produce at the nursery shop. The rest of the afternoon / evening was spent chatting and eating a chorizo and prawn rice dish. By 10.00pm we had all opted to return to our own homes as all were a bit tired despite only 4.5 miles or 10,000+ steps.
Wednesday 15th July (Day 5)
So today we say goodbye. By around 10.00am we were filled with water and emptied and off ....... for a quick stop at home. An easy drive with the Dartford Tunnel clear of all traffic. Home by just after 11.00am. Chris put the washing on and we took items out of the motorhome we didn’t need for the next part of our trip and put in other bits we would need. By 2.30pm and we were off again .... next stop The Stratton Arms, at Turkwestan in Bedfordshire. A good drive again, although we were lucky as at one point on the M1 we came to a stop. We could see the next gantry showing traffic clear so we only had about 400m of solid traffic. The problem was two cars has collided and one women was standing in Lane 3 (of 4) on the phone! Anyway two lanes were blocked but we got by ok. If we were ten or fifteen minutes later leaving home the traffic would have been horrendous. Arriving at the pub the owner, Phil Caley, greeted us warmly and we parked up and had a cup of tea. By just before 6.00pm we were hungry and so went over for a meal. A full rack of ribs, chips and salad for me and fish and chips with peas for chris only £18. The back to the motorhome to watch the football and a bit of other tv before we retired about 10.45pm.
