Spent last night in Sandgate, at 'Ships Inn', just down hill from BD. Old pub with slightly disorganized proprietor who is in process of doing reno, or a relie is. Has renovated a couple of rooms for B&B. Our was a sea view suite which certainly lived up to its name! We were no more than 30 metres from Channel!! Had drink in old pub and a lovely dinner in new pub restaurant right on water front. I had Scallops on pea puree and Dover sole meuniere, yum!!
He cooked us best bfast we have had so far, regaled us with info on want to see and we went on our way up hill to.... Dixwell rd and there was ex BD. Now James court apts (17 of) but still very recognizable with no external changes at front except 2nd floor balcony, ?Sinkies room, sure not there before. Playing fields gone and rows of very tacky garages out the back. Now painted cream. Apts looked quite nice. A lady came out and asked if we were OK. Turned out she went to St Margarets, another school a bit before our time but remembers BD girls as rivals!! Her apt is the original kitchen, laundry rooms. Apparently school closed in early 70's and was converted soon after. We walked all around,remembering what rooms were what. I really expected it to be gone or unrecognizable!! Took a few photos but sorry this is the only I remembered to reduce so I could send it via email.
We went for a walk along the Leas, saw old church, went for a drive through town an out the other side. All decided it is a lovely seaside town and we could live there, especially in houses along the Leas!! :-)
Went on to Battle of Britain memorial at Capel de Ferme which pleased the guys and was very interesting.
Drove through Dover and on to White Cliffs, don't ever remember seeing them that close.
Then to Ramsgate and Margate but not very impressed by them.
To Canterbury, left car at park and ride and got bus into town. Went to Canterbury Cathedral and it was just amazing, so big, huge stain glass with does and such history. Couldn't go into Trinity Chapel or Quire as closed for special service.
From Canterbury went up M2 to Stood, Rochester and found Berber Rd and it was pouring by then!!! Rang door bell of number 13 and young man answered, had only owned house for 8 months and said people before them had only lived there a few years and was happy fo me take a couple of photos. I should have take them on phone or loe Res BUT it was raining and not thinking straight! : <(. Will have to show you them when we get home. Staying in Maidstone tonight before heading off to Oxford tomorrow and lunch with my cousins, Steve and Martin at restaurant outside Oxford. We only have 2 sleeps left till we fly out Tues :<(.
Back again Sunday night and sitting up in bed after Fab day:-) :-) :-)
Had good trip to Oxford, only misplaced once but found our way to Fishes pub/rest. E&P dropped us off. Steve, martin and Steph already there and Steph recognized us as i had sent a photo a few days before. It was so daunting to realize these strangers were my cousins but it wasn't long before they didn't feel like that!! We had a lovely lunch and we didn't know what to talk about next! I had taken some family photos on my Acer tab and they had some of Rob and Emmas (Martin and Stephs son) wedding 5 weeks ago. Martin and Steph had a 3 hour drive home so we reluctantly said goodbye after some photos and caught cab into Oxford. We still had so much to talk about!
Whilst we were at lunch, E and P had done our washing at Laundromat after checking into B&B AND carrying our cases up 2 flights of stairs!!!! True friends:-) :-)
Walked down road for Pizza at little but busy Italian place. D and I did manage pizza/after our lunch. Was funny, served by Aussie girls at lunch and dinner!! All in all in all, a wonderful day to add to our memories of this great holiday
Off to explore Cotswalds tomorrow.
1st photo-Jill cousins (and wife)
2nd- J in from of thatched cottage Little Hinksey, outside Oxford.
More tomorrow.
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