Category: Kent

Whilst suffering/enjoying the September heatwave, we decided to head to the South Coast for a few days.

Stopped at Knole on the way, which is becoming a bit of a tradition but well worth it.

Last came here in August 2021 when we were beginning to escape from COVID. Felt much freer this time.

But it was sooooo hot all we could do was enjoy the shade.

Ventured to Hastings in the evening which was a bit depressing. Beach was fine though.

View from dinner at a reasonable Italian.

Wasn’t quite like that as lots of cars, but it was cooler outside and I really liked the pic!

Sissinghurst (again)

More Rye, and then Igtham (“Item”) on the way home.

We like Rye a lot, although from memory it has been cold on previous visits.

And climbed the church tower:

And a day with good food throughout – makes a big difference (take note N Wales!).

It’s not far, and we know and like (parts of) Kent. So with a decent weather forecast and managing to find somewhere to stay outside Rye, we’re off.

Knole is a very decent place to stop on the way.

Last visited in June 2016 on a grotty day but we couldn’t remember it without looking back at the blog!

Extremely good dinner at the White Dog – shame it was a bit too chilly to eat out – you can just make out Bodiam Castle (last visited March 2020 just days before lockdown – we did remember that visit).

We know it and like it and enjoyed it.

Back in a little over 2 hours. Sad fact – we both decided we prefer anonymous, comfortable, air-conditioned 4 star hotels to quirky ones 🙃

It’s shaping up to be a weird summer, especially with quarantining coming and going. That means that everyone seems to be holidaying at home in the UK, so there’s not a lot of places to rent. So rather than days out, we thought we’d go a bit further afield and have two days out. Hence Kent.

First stop – Leeds Castle. We were last there in mid-March, just before lockdown and surrounded by daffodils. It looks good in summer as well.

If we follow a general rule-of-thumb that government subsidies that end up with us must, by definition, be a bit daft, then how about afternoon tea at half price. It was yummy though!

Then on to Margate, and quite a quirky hotel set up as a museum from the 30s.

Beach was lovely, and empty. But because of the virus the kitchen was closed, so we were able to order a takeaway and have it on the terrace.

And maybe it is … It has been such a weird time, listening to the news about the country falling to bits and yet all is normal for us. Got excellent use from the NT card today:

Sissinghurst

First ones in so had the gardens to ourselves for a bit

Made sure we had our coffee outside. Apparently all NT cafes to close from tomorrow.

Nymans

Maybe a couple of weeks too early to see all the best colours, but who knows where on earth we will all be.

Wonderful early Spring day.

Bexhill-on-Sea

Rye

It was very windy. Couldn’t go into any cafes for lunch so bought a sandwich and huddled in this hide with a fantastic view of the birds.

And it’s getting weirder every day. Talk about social distancing and over 70s staying at home. Meanwhile the south coast is gorgeous and quite a lot of folks out and about. No idea if it’s quieter than usual as we wouldn’t expect to see many people on a midweek Tuesday anyway.

Are we crazy? Are we selfish? Are we in denial? Who knows, although it does feel extremely odd to be having a nice time while the world is falling apart.

Last minute we have rented a lovely little house in Kent for a couple of nights. It isn’t far and we can behave exactly as we would be doing at home – that already sounds a bit defensive.

But we had a lovely day.

And, of course, liberally interspersed with coffee, tea and cakes.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring …..

Last day. Planned to have a walk at Rye Harbour but it rained so made do with a coffee in Rye.

Went home via Nymans. Last time we went was in November and we promised ourselves a return trip so see some colour.