Categories: uncategorized
Date: 30 August 2008 08:17:54
This morning the machine really will be unplugged, and boxed off - should have been done yesterday really, but ....... Anyway I know I've gone on at length about the people I'll be leaving behind but not so much about the place. So I thought I'd leave you with my mini guide to the area and what I'd recommend if you're ever down this end of the world.
Herne Bay - remember this is the place the first series of Little Britain was filmed & the place I have lovingly referred to as "no-whereville-on-sea" this blog. Yet there are things to recommend:
The walk between Herne Bay Clock Tower and Reculver Towers is beautiful. There is a bench part way along where you can stop and look out at the wind farm, which is just off the coast, and pub, toilet and ice cream facilities when you reach Reculver's ancient towers.
Memorial Park is a "proper" park with footie pitches, tennis courts, gardens, an ickle duck pond and war memorial.
The Wine Bar is a civillised "grown up" place to go with friends, for younger people I'd recommend the Weatherspoons on the Sea Front.
The cinema is small, but v. clean and reasonably priced.
Late July / Early August is a good time to visit with the delights of the bus rally, decent firework displays on the beach & the carnival.
Broadstairs - Has more to offer than just folk week, (which is outstanding and which I would say is v. worth coming down for):
It's a picturesque and has a wonderful sandy beach.
There is also a wonderful milk shake shop just off from the main shops, whose name I can't remember, which does wonderful thick shakes.
There are a variety of ickle shops including Crusty's bakers and a v.g. independent record shop, whose name also escapes (but both I'd thoroughly recommend).
Margate:
Only do it once for the experience and to see why, contary to popular belief, there are areas of the South East that are not affluent and definately need major reinvestment.
Dover and Walmer:
The Castles (Deal often gets included with these as one to see, but is not v. interesting). These two places alone explain why English Heritage membership is a worthwhile investment.
The from the White Cliffs cliff top visitor centre at St. Margrets is also worth a look.
Canterbury:
Um, there's a few old churches there worth a look including a big one in the city centre next door to Starbucks. They try to charge you to get into the big one, but just say you're going into worship and the guys on the gate are fine ;) N.b. if you take this approach please do then give the donation you feel appropriate, as it is the charging to get into church, not the donating to the upkeep which is the issue.
Whitstable:
Well, there are enough DFL's, (down from London's), with holiday homes there writing about the place that I really don't need to say anything, because it's frequently been said before.