UK 2023: Part 3

Yes, we were back in Dover just like last year.

Our taxi had the biggest sunroof I’ve ever seen. It was like traveling in a fish tank!

Saint Margarets Bay almost felt like our second home, although the view was a little different this year!

The dogs were just as cute though!

With two very willing dogs to keep occupied we spent a lot of time on our feet.

Florence and Frieda are quite elderly now and not getting any younger (ahum, who is?!). Frieda struggled with her leg but it only seemed to be on the up-hills. With that thought in mind we either drove or carried her up the steepest parts, and tah-dah, she was like a spring chicken on the flats! Bless her!

We also tried Frieda with dog booties. After a few failed but hilarious attempts we gave up on them. They were left as a parting gift in the hope that they would come in handy in the future!

How cute does Frieda look?! Cute but bemused!

We walked many miles along the majestic coastline and, on the whole, the weather treated us well! The scenery was spectacular so this year more than ever it’s been a challenge to select just a few photos to share with you!

My shoes just didn’t make the distance!

My new shoes were great!

With two good walks a day, the girls slept a lot!

But always with an ear to the ground should there be the slightest sound or sniff of a treat or food!

This year we were much more aware of the wartime history that features along this coastline. On one of our walks, we were fortunate to receive an unexpected free pass to the pre-opening of a recent WWII gun turret and weapons bunker excavation.

We also got to see the filming of an archeology documentary – with the presenter Alice Roberts (and her famous pink hair).

This guy was such a good sport. His guided tour of the dig wasn’t supposed to include a look behind this door but ….

Maybe this inspired us to open our eyes! Here are a few of the sites we spotted on our walks.

We finally walked the full cliff walk into Dover, and back too. I never realised quite how fascinating ports are! (tell me I did not just say that!)

We didn’t just stay local. We did our share of exploring too, making use of the car to visit new places.

SANDWICH

Yes, there is such a place! And yes, that’s where that famous food got its name.

It’s all down to John Montagu, aka the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Whilst playing cards he requested a serving of roast beef to be placed between two slices of bread so he could eat with his hands.

It really was just a matter of time before someone thought up the idea though. But it does make you wonder what the name might have been! What if Ethel had invented it?!

Walking these old streets feels like stepping back in time. It’s all rather quaint.

And guess what we had for lunch? Pasty of course!

That must be the pasty. I knew we should’ve had a sandwich!

And behind all those lovely old houses there’s the beautiful River Stour, and moored at the quay is the P-22 boat used in the movie Dunkirk.

FAVERSHAM

It started as a rather wet day with an impromptu picnic brunch in the car in a supermarket carpark but the skies cleared and it turned into a lovely day of exploring.

DEAL

This town featured prominently during last year’s Dover stay. We did return this year, mostly for groceries, but also for a wander on a very wet day!

SANDGATE

The home of H.G. Wells no less!

If you’re in Folkestone facing the ocean, turn right, keep walking and you’ll get to Sandgate. It is quite small, so if you get to Hythe you’ve missed it.

FOLKESTONE

The jewel in our crown! We fell in love with Folkestone, hook, line, and sinker! This is where we spent most of our time and it was close enough to cover the round trip on just over one charge of the electric car. Result!

We found the town to be an interesting mix of quirky art, seaside beachfront, coastal nature, high street shopping, architectural elegance (and some architectural disasters), and tasteful redevelopment. Just keep that to yourselves!

Crikey, this is going to be tricky choosing the best photos!

Quirky Art –

Seaside Beachfront –

In my mind, the beachfront was sort of divided into three sections.

There’s the vast shingle beach that borders the town and stretches for miles to Sandgate, Hythe, and onwards towards Dungeness.

And as an added bonus there’s a large sandy beach with the stunning Coronation Parade arches as a backdrop.

Then in the space between the two beaches, you’ll find nice restaurants and food trucks, the restored Harbour Arm and old railway station, and the mermaid! Not bad eh!

Of all the so called No. 1 chip shops this was the best!

According to creativefolkestone.org.uk

“(Cornelia) Parker has created a Folkestone version of one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, Copenhagen’s ‘Little Mermaid’. All women of Folkestone were offered the opportunity to model for the mermaid. Through a process of open submission, Parker chose Georgina Baker, mother of two and Folkestone born and bred. Unlike the idealised Copenhagen version, ‘The Folkestone Mermaid’ is a life-size, life-cast sculpture, celebrating the local and the everyday. Parker’s mermaid, a more confident and knowing lady of the sea than Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale one, is a permanent work for Folkestone.”

Architectural Elegance –

The Zig-Zag path is a bit of coastal nature and architectural elegance.

The path was built in 1921 as a post-first World War project. It was a way of offering work to hundreds of returning soldiers who were unable to find work. It makes for a beautiful stroll with quite a few hidden surprises.

The Zig-Zag path leads down from The Leas – quintessential architectural elegance!

Tasteful Redevelopment –

Even the beach huts are funky colours.

Are you still following me? There’s a lot to keep up with!

Our hosts very kindly let us have use of the family car again. A hybrid mini countryman – I loved driving it and charging it overnight kept our petrol costs down. I want one!