Sunday 22nd January 2023

Welcome to the weekend. Still.

It was to be less sunny that Saturday, but worth going out.

Only Jools wanted to go to the sports centre for a remote class.

Or something.

We made it work.

So, after getting up at half seven, having coffee, we go out in the car to Folkestone for a walk and some light botanising.

As you know, we spend most of our visits to the town in and around the top of the Old High Street, but the town, and The Leas, the areas on the cliffs overlooking the sea, go on and on.

We drove over to Folkestone, parked behind The Leas and once putting our coats on, we walked through the narrow lane to the Leas, and turned south.

There is a wide area for walking, and in the past, to be seen walking, though that is now a thing of the past. Not much to see, a mix of new, brutalist flats and hotels, with the Victorian speandour of the Leas a quarter wile further on.

From The Leas there are a series of paths and tracks leading down to garden, and then further on to the beach. We walked on for a while, surprising a rat out scavanging for breakfast. Then turning down a steep track leading to the beach. Having to throw ourselves out of the way to avoind being run down by cyclists, we took to a steep set of steps for the last part to the beach.

All along the way wereworks of public art from the triennial arts festivals dating back to 2008. Public art is unusual in post-war England, so these works are really refreshing, and now more than a novelty.

The beach was quiet, a few preparing for a winter's dip, while others were walking their dogs, and we wandered on looking for a way back up to where the car was parked.

We ended up at the cliff lift, out of action for the best part of a decade, but it is being repaired, we hear. It operates by using water to make the lift going down heavier than the one coming up. Simple, cheap and causes no pollution. The entrance at beach level is a popular cafe now. We smelt bacon cooking, and were tempted, but walk on.

We were left with a steep climb back to The Leas, huffing and puffing in the now warming sunshine.

Under the celebration arch remembering those who gave their lives in the two world wars, from there it was a two minute walk back to the car.

A simple drive back through Capel and onto the A20 back into Dover and up Jubilee Way to home.

Time for a brew.

Lunch was chorizo hash, cooked once Jools was back from the sports centre, served with the last of the Adnam's Tally Ho! dark ale. Hash always delivers on the taste front, and the potatoes boiled and fried, deliver the required crunch.

Highlight of the afternoon was the game between the Arse and Utd, once a title decider unti it wasn't, but is again now. A fine game, end to end, the five goals with the Arse just edging it.

The last of the mince pies for supper along with the last brew of the day rounded the day off, meanwhile, Cleo was on the stairs looking at me to head to bed, so did at quarter past eight.

Phew, rock and roll!