Saturday 21st November 2020

Each weekend comes round and we have to deicde how we are going to spend the two and a half days. In the past it would have been churchcrawling, maybe a trip to that London or further afield. And now that we are moneied, we could go away for a long weekend or two.

But these are not normal times, now having the time and money to travel, we cannot travel. Such is life in 2020. And with Jools have a five day weekend two day working week means that any chores can be done by Friday lunchtime, giving us the whole weekend to do whatever we want.

Not that there is anything to do, really. Travel is allowed for exercise for two people from the same household. I belive that's correct.

And I believe walking round a town counts as exercise, as long as we keep distancing rules, we should be OK. Which is how we come to be driving to Rye over the border in East Sussex Saturday morning.

Rye sits on a rocky outcrop of the North Downs, overlooking the Romney Marsh, and can be seen rising from the haze from as far away as Folkestone, if the weather is good. Even the windfarm just in front of it can be seen from the white cliffs north of Dover, as the coast swings south through Greatstone to Dungeness.

We had coffee, croisants and half a second coffee, so our bladders wouldn't be full. But even then we needed a comfort stop, and found the facilities in Rye open, at least. So that was nice.

We drive out of Dover, up the A20, only to find the roundhill tunnels, London=bound, we closed. No issue at half eight in the morning, we simple took the offramp, turned up past Cret Road and drove through Folkestone and out through the Leas to Sandgate and along the coast road through Hythe. Later there would eb four miles of james heading along the A20 after a ferry or two had docked, but coast bound there were no issues, and we cruised past.

The coast road meanders through Dymchurch, New Romney before heading out over the Marsh to Brookland and the Sussex border. I kept to the speed limit, others didn't, and we were tailgated by a 20 year old Astra for miles. He got past only to be jammed behind another car keeping to the limit for a few more miles.

All churches are closed now, so no need to got to New or Old Romney, instead pass by at 60 mph, heading to the sharp bends at Brookland where the Woolpack is also closed for the month, though it being only just gone nine, would be closed anyway.

Into Sussex, over two level crossings, over the river and park at the roundabout in the mostly empty car park.

Above us, the town rises built up on the rocky outcrop, with the walls of Ypres Tower at the top poking above the red tield roofs.

Welcome to Rye.

We walk up the steep path, avoiding a family walking down, and above us the thich walls of Land Gate towered over the shops built beside it. Along the street there were numerous parking spaces, and through the arch the main road was mostly deserted too.

The new normal.

I took shots, we walked through and along Tower Street, see some good new places to eat and drink when things get back to normal, before taking the cobbled path back to the High Street.

As there have been less people about grass was growing up between the cobbles, giving the appreance of a stoney lawn between the ancient houses.

I go on a shop to buy Jools a birthday card. I also get a Christmas card too, so two more boxes ticked.

I also get a small chocolate bars, which we much while looking at the display in an art shop.

Living the dream.

Up to Ypres Tower, then along past the parish church, which was open, or the door was, but I knew wouldn't accept casual visitors, so I don't bother asking. We walk to Mermaid Street, the most attractive thoroughfare in the town,a nd there's some stiff compition, to snap the 15th century pub and street, before walking back to the car down the path once again.

We had been an hour, done what I wanted, and had lots of photographs.

From there it is a five minute drive to Rye Harbour for the nature reserve, but what I wasn't expecting was half of Kent and half of Sussex being there too, mostly walking their dogs off the leir lead.

I like Rye Harbour, it has a north Norfolk coast feeling, but with hundreds of people, and dozens of dogs milling around, and piles of dog shit everywhere, it wasn't that enjoyable.

No path was quiet, and although I tried to eny the views over the fenced off areas, I could feel my anger rising.

And rising.

We reach the river mouth, and from the dunes I could see along the coast to Camber where dozens of kite surfers were out racing, the sky full of their multi-coloured kites.

We were not close, but with my macro lens, I got an acceptable shot.

We walk back as quick as our fat, hairy legs could carry us, back to the car. And with most shops and all pubs closed, no point in going to Winchelsea, so we head for home, back along the main road to Ashford, past the new Brexit lorry park and onto the motorway.

We arrive home at half twelve. Hungry and thirsty.

I make ham rolls whilst Jools makes brews, which we make vanish in a puff of crumbs.

And then it is the serious business of football: first follow the early Prem game which I think was Villa v Brighton, then to follow Norwich via Twitter as we played away at Middlesborough.

And what a game: Boro had a pentlaty chalked off when the player slipped and kicked the ball against his standing food. It went in, but counted as a doble kick! And them Pukki scored a penalty, no mistake, to take all three points. And as other results went our way, we ended the day top of the league. Tope of the Football League.

Well.

We dined on party food while I watch the Spurs v Citeh game, as football doesn't watch itself, and Spurs romped to a 2-0 win even though they touched the bal just four times all game. Posession isn't everthing, apparently.

So, to yet more football, watching the EFL highlights on Quest, just to see the table at the end and laugh like a drain.

A good day.