I kinda gave up and headed off to the dentist at half two, made sure I found somewhere to park and sat in the waiting room feeling all sorry for myself. X-rays were taken, and I did some more waiting. Yes, there’s something wrong, a lose filling, but we can’t do it now, you have to get the infection under control; take some anti-biotics and come back Monday.
And that was that. Off to Tesco to get my prescription and then home for some feeling sorry for myself and maybe some TLC from Jools. Lots of TLC as it turned out. The weather was like I felt, pouring with rain and grim! I took tablets and some painkillers and waited for the pain to stop.
As we went to bed, the rain was easing, but the forecast of relentless sunshine for Saturday still seemed optimistic to say the least. However, the day dawned bright and clear with the sun rising in a blue sky, there was a golden light on the land. To make the best of the day, we decided to walk along the cost to Walmer, have a wander round the gardens there, and walk back. And in a nutshell, that’s what we did. Although there was clear blue sky at home, and we live about a mile from the coast, by the time we reached Dover Patrol there was mist all around and the blue sky occasionally great. But, a breeze was blowing the mist away, and the warmth of the sun could be felt.
Needless to say, France was totally obscured from view by the mist, but we could see north and south along the coast, down the cliffs to the sea and beaches below. Twitches we huddled together, straining to identify a large raptor above, and a few folks were out either walking their dogs or just enjoying the day. There really is nothing quite like walking to the edge of the cliff and peering down to the beach below. The white of the cliffs and the blue of the sea and sky look wonderful in bright sunshine. Seagulls swooped near to us, just curious if we had any food for them.
We strode off north towards Kingsdown where the cliffs peter out and the stony beach begins. Each person we passed smiled and passed a few words of greetings, it was rather nice to be sure. We could hear the sound of clubs on balls as golfers were out too enjoying the weather, but we are hidden from them by bushes and small trees; best not a the gaze of the un-golfly fall upon their morning work.
At last we reached Kingsdown, made our way down the path to the beach and onwards towards Walmer. Here, the path was busier, and people came out of their holiday homes to take in the day, joggers passed, some in more advance states of exhaustion than others. We walked on.
Walmer Castle sits about 100 yards from the sea, it was once a Napoleonic fort, but was transformed into a residence for the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, amongst whose number have included The Duke of Wellington, Winston Churchill and The Queen Mother. But we had been inside the castle before, and this time it was the garden that was our target. But before then there was just time to head into the café for tea and scones, with jam and cream of course. And so it came to pass, the day was fine.
Once we had eaten our fill, we headed out into the gardens to hopefully see a sea of daffodils; but, although the daffs are out elsewhere, in Walmer they are maybe a week behind, and so there just a few to see. But there some early flowers out, and I snapped them. I also snapped plants in the greenhouses which looked very fine and in some cases, alien. And then it was time to head back home.
The day was now warm, we took off our coats and headed off along the beach to the foot of the cliffs, and then up the steps and along by the golf course again. The mist had cleared and right in front of us, the sun shone out from a clear blue sky making us shade our eyes as it reflected off the sea.
Once home we had lunch, cheese on toast and beans; a quality meal. And then time to settle down to listen to the football on the radio and to review my shots from the walk.
And in the evening we headed back down to the cliffs to see the 'supermoon' rise to the north of Calais and for me to snap it.
Sunday also promised to be sunny, but the day began with high cloud and just milky sunlight coming through. We had arranged to meet up with our good friend, Bob, as we were heading towards Tenterden to the Kent and East Sussex Railway, as they we opening a short extension. As we headed north and then west, the day did indeed get brighter. And by the time we reached the station the sun was out. We bought our tickets and then waited for the train to depart.
Preserved railways can only travel at 25mph, and so once the whistle blew and the signal gave our drive the road, we trundled and rattled along the Rother Valley. There are no spectacular bridges, no tunnels, but just pleasant English countryside, marshes and fields filled with expecting sheep. In time Bodiham Castle came into view; this is where the line used to end, but now it continues a mile or so longer to Junction Road, a few miles short of joining the mainline, and now their goal. But for now the line ends where the level crossing used to be, and after a pause we headed back.
Once back in Tenterden we sought out a place to eat and found the Vine Inn; they had tables and beer and roasts on the menu; it was all we wanted. The meals came quick, and we tucked in to either beef, lamb or pork with vegetables and the such. Jools and Bob had something sweet for dessert, whilst I had the cheeseboard and another pint.
When we walked out of the pub, the town was full of people, all out enjoying the spring weather. We headed back to the car and then back home, first dropping bob off back home and then heading up to St Margaret’s and time enough for a cup of coffee and to chill.
And like that another weekend passes in the blinking of an eye, and time enough for Professor Brian Cox to lecture us on the wonders of the universe and our eyelids to grow heavy and drop.
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