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Saturday 25th

Last day.  Decided to go home via Whitstable.
Eileen was very taken by some pictures of Whitstable that were displayed in the Duck, so we hunted out the artist’s studio and bought one.
Then off to Knole in Sevenoaks.  A NT property, so pretty sure what to expect.  Really big shock was that the cafe was closed, so expectations of a nice lunch were cruelly dashed!
And it rained.  Otherwise pretty good!
It has become clear that one of the defining themes of the week is The Sky.  It seems large and ever-changing over the week, so here is a random selection from the week.
The house where we stayed.
Deal.
Margate.
Camber Sands.
Dungeness.
Port of Dover.
Valley near our house.
Whitstable.
Knole (in the rain!).
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Friday 24th

Still reeling from referendum and what it will mean.  
Didn’t go too far on our last day – a walk around the place we are staying, and still surprised we had never been to this beautiful part of Kent before.
And finally to the Duck in Petts Bottom.  Only 5 miles away but narrow lanes mean very slow progress – nearly half an hour each way!  Terrific value for the 4 course tasting menu for the second time in a week.
And a sunset!
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Dover

Storms blew out the wifi, but also blew through much quicker than anticipated.  So dry and sunny in the morning, rather than the forecast relentless rain.  Hence sat in the sun and read.
Ventured out in the afternoon to the White Cliffs – much better than the pictures suggest as it was very warm and for once didn’t get sunburned.
The back to stay up and watch the referendum. OMG …….
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A Good Photo Day

The photos say it all today.

1.  Sissinghurst

2.  Camber Sands

3.  Dungeness at Sunset

Then we had the torrential thunderstorms overnight, which also knocked out the wifi.  Already have no mobile signal, so feeling very cut off!

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Margate and Broadstairs

The more we explore, the more we realise how little we know of Kent.  So many tiny country lanes, making driving interesting.  And most of the wealth seems to be inland rather than on the coast.
So off to Margate.
The new Tate Modern is terrific, but the rest of Margate is pretty run down.  View of the bay whilst having lunch – actually quite a lot warmer than it looks.
Water lapping against the promenade – “feels a bit like Venice” is not a statement often heard in Margate …
Broadstairs is much nicer, although a small traffic jam caused by two van drivers having a fight!  We’re able to drag our deckchairs on to the beach and enjoy the sun.
Then found a terrific gastro pub so a good end.
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Wet and Whitstable

It’s a Monday morning, and it’s not just raining, it’s pouring.  So pleased we’re not camping ..
By lunchtime it was easing off, and so ventured forth to Whitstable.  We had been a few months ago so knew what to expect – pretty wild and bleak but a great walk along the beach.
Bit of an attempt at an arty shot ..
Then it really opened up and were able to fight the newspaper while having a drink ..
… or two.
Had a quick look in Faversham on the way back.  All these places we had never been to – lovely but a bit quiet by 6pm.
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Deal and Canterbury

I think we’ve both realised how little we know Kent.  Tried a little trip out to Hythe last night, and concluded probably wouldn’t ever need to go there again!
Anyway, Sunday was a lovely morning, so Sunday papers, a bit of Radio 4, coffee and sitting in the garden almost getting burned!
Then roused ourselves and off to Deal.  Deal, Walmer and Kingsdown is a beautiful walk along the cost, even finding a pub.
And the colours were terrific.
Wondering where to eat and decided to take our first venture into Canterbury.  Can’t remember if we’ve ever been – if we have it was a long time ago.
Tomorrow will be interesting – English summer rain forecast for most of the day …
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Saturday 18th June

A bit last minute, so Eileen has been hunting for somewhere to stay.  Fantastic result, only a day and a half before we left.  This is the valley near Canterbury ..
And this is zooming in – the white farmhouse in the middle.
View from our paddock back to the house.
Before we arrived, and having suffered the M25 and the British weather doing their worst, stopped off at Ightham Mote – very diverting, and being NT does a great lunch and cake!
Sunday looks like a nice day, so hopefully Sunday papers in the garden.
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Saturday – Last Day

We booked a ridiculously late flight (11.20 pm) to give us an extra day, and we’re lucky there’s no-one staying after us.  So we’ve stayed on all day enjoying the sun and the views (take you’re pick from previous days – they haven’t changed!).
So down to our favourite restaurant for our final visit.
Talking to the owner (he’s standing up in the background above), we never found out his name but he told us he was born and lived in Mochlos all his life.  Didn’t say he would probably die here as well, but that seemed to be the general gist.
More views …
… and more food!
And even more cats!
And finally, only for those with a strong disposition …
Now just packing up – 3.00am estimated time of getting home …..
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Friday – Driving and Knossos

So to begin with, a lesson in the Cretan Highway Code (or not).  On the main single carriageway main road there is a hard shoulder/cycle lane or whatever, and double white lines in the middle of the road.  The solution to overtaking and not crossing the double white lines is to drive on the hard shoulder.  Everyone does it (see below and note we are doing it as well).  Seems to work until
– the hard shoulder stops without warning
– someone has broken down or just stopped
– someone is performing an identical manoeuvre coming the other way.
Anyway, it seems to work!
So, off to Knossos.  We had wondered about visiting on the way to the airport, but decided we needed a day out.  Quite a long drive, but nevertheless entertaining (see above!).
Knossos pretty much as expected.  Both of us had been before, decades ago, but no real recollection.
No idea who the bodyguard was!
As you can see, a beautiful day, and pretty quiet apart from a coach party of Russians.  We could see from the size of the car park how busy it could get in summer.
Not sure where he turned up from!
And a couple of examples of gorgeous colours.
Finally, couldn’t resist the sunset from our balcony.