Deal and the Isle of Thanet

Today we thought we’d do a circuit which would take us down to Deal and then up to the Isle of Thanet and back. We set off across country to Deal which was pretty straightforward and managed to find the coast road, passing the Castle

before parking up for coffee. There was land on the horizon which didn’t make sense unless it was France! Surely not?

Mike asked a local who said yes it was France and we were very lucky to see it as the weather conditions were particularly favourable. From here we back-tracked a short distance and rook the road into Sandwich. We stopped at a local Farm Shop and then drove on through the town to the Quay …

After crossing the river …

we made our way to the main road and headed for Broadstairs hoping to find the seafront where we could stop for lunch. All was going so well until we saw a diversion which we followed only to be sent round in circles and not seeing the sea! The only explanation I could think was that it’s Friday the 13th so what else could we expect!! We kept going in what we hoped was the right direction and thought we’d find somewhere else to stop when we spotted a road to Minnis Bay which sounded okay. We had a lovely spot overlooking the sea and after lunch took Hamish for a walk along the prom …

After leaving the Bay we made our way towards Margate which was last visited by us in the late 1960’s when we’d raced our Fireball in the Nationals there. Needless to say nothing looked familiar but I got this photo of the Clock Tower as we drove through …

It was now back to the main road and after topping up with fuel at Whitstable Tesco, we came on back to the site for a lazy afternoon.

Isle of Sheppey

We had a very lazy start to the day today. With no wildlife waking us at 6am we didn’t stir until nearly 9am! So after breks and tidying up we set off to visit the Isle of Sheppey which was somewhere neither of us had been to before.

As we approached the bridge it look awesome …

but what a fantastic view from the top of it …

We drove to Queenborough where we found the old harbour and we stopped for coffee …

We then drove on to Sheerness and Minster where we stopped overlooking the beach for lunch …

After lunch we made our way across the island to Leysdown-on-Sea which was very rough and full of statics. We then had to retrace our steps as the road was a dead-end and on our way back we noticed a road to the Ferry House Inn and an RSPB viewpoint. It was a very old road which took us across a completely uninhabited part of the island until we reached a couple of farms and the pub. We could look across the River Swale towards Oare …

and then we went to the viewpoint to watch the birds and have a cuppa. However it was this little chap who got captured on my camera …

the birds were all flying too quickly for me! As we left though we spotted these two Oystercatchers sitting on a fence and then they took off …

It was now time to leave the island and I got this shot looking eastwards from the bridge …

and driving around Canterbury on our way back ...

When we arrived at the site Mike received a phone call from his doctor at Treliske. She said not to worry about the blood test but to enjoy our holiday and she would see him on our return. What a nice lady!

Off to Kent

We were up early today as it was moving day.

After saying our farewells to Ann and Derek, the couple in the motorhome next to us, we set off at 10am. It’s always sad when we leave Norfolk but we’ll be back again in late September.

The route to Kent took us down the A11 and M11 before reaching my least favourite road – the M25! Driving east was a first for us and we soon reached the Dartford Crossing …

followed by the Medway crossing …

It was then the A2 and M2 on our way to Canterbury. The Club site here is much bigger than the Norwich site and it seems to be much quieter. No trains, cockerels, geese or ducks - only rabbits …


which are thankfully silent!

Off to Norfolk

Up early this morning and as it was lovely and sunny we took Hamish for a walk along the towpath. We were admiring the boats …

and crossing the canal on the nearest bridge …

Then it was back to the RV and all set for Norfolk! We took the quickest route which meant M4, M25 and M11 but there were no problems and we finally arrived at the Norwich Camping and Caravanning Club site where we were shown to our pitch which will be home for a week …

If you want to follow our daily adventures then you need to look at our Broadland Blog for the next week.

Off on Hols!

We left Cornwall today and headed for Wiltshire and the village of Sells Green where the Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site is situated. After a good run we arrived and were shown to our pitch for the night. We took Hamish for a walk along the canal in the evening and then we enjoyed this lovely sunset …

Trelissick Gardens and Smugglers Cottage

With the weather forecast predicting localised showers, we set off for Trelissick Gardens in the hope that the dogs would get a good run and Pam would be able to do some painting in the dry. After parking and getting Pam set-up in the Gardens we made our way up to the start of the Woodland Walk where we looked down on the River Fal and luckily there was no hint of rain.

The cows were all at the bottom of the field ...

and what a lovely view they enjoy ...

We then passed through a gate into the wooded area where every now and then there was a break in the trees and we could see the river ...

yachts were sailing by ...

and as we neared the end of the first half of the walk we approached the King Harry Ferry and also one of the ferry boats which ply their trade from Falmouth ...

We decided to cross the road and do the second half of the walk, so after a short climb uphill we were able to look back down to the river ...

The dogs were really having a great time - especially Ozzie who was certain that all manner of creatures were living in the undergrowth - so when we came to a dividing of the ways ...

they were very glad of a drink when we spotted a watering-hole ...

It was now up-hill all the way back to the road but luckily a bench had been provided for a short rest and to admire the view ...

After crossing the road and the field where we had started our circular route, we found ourselves back at the car near the old water tower which is now used for holiday lets ...

Pam was found still painting in the Gardens ...

and after moving the car to the grass car park we enjoyed a picnic lunch and snooze ..

When we left Trelissick we headed down to the Ferry and crossed over to the Roseland ...

where we made for Smugglers Cottage, Tolverne as the boys wanted a final cream tea before going home tomorrow.

During World War II the Cottage was requisitioned and the road and beach built as an embarkation point for the D-Day landings ...

The sky was getting darker and darker but we were very lucky because we just managed to finish our tea before the rain began and everyone made a dash for shelter or their cars. We drove home to find Portreath had been dry and sunny all day.

Trago Mills Day!

No holiday in Cornwall is complete without a trip to Trago Mills!

The boys picked us up this morning and we set off hoping that it wouldn't be too crowded but as it wasn't beach weather we weren't optimistic. As expected there were a fair few cars parked up but we had a good wander around and didn't spend too much! Here are just a few photos of what the outside of Trago is all about ...








Inside there are bargains galore and it's very easy to be tempted to spend, spend, spend!