Brunch

We hunted around for somewhere to have lunch but without much success. In the end, we plumped for this place which offered, among other items, an all-day veggie breakfast.

Crossing the Dour

We then made our way to the stop for the bus back to Folkestone, once more crossing the Dour as we went.

No shade at the bus stop

We knew what time our bus should arrive but of course, that was not when it actually arrived. The bus app behaved as though generating random numbers. The published timetable was a work of fiction.

Another view from our room

After what seemed a surprisingly short journey, we reached the bus stop near our hotel. The above photo shows a section of beach and the Folkestone Harbour Arm, built during Victorian era. Ferries to Europe departed from here but with the cessation of those services, the Arm has become a public pier. The curving roof visible on the left is that of the old harbour railway station. The line was closed down in 2009 (officially in 2014), though there is a group trying to have it reopened. Find more about it here.

We made tea, sponged ourselves down and rested for a while, recovering from our long exposure to the sun while awaiting the delayed bus.

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Riding the bus

Later, we went out and caught another bus. I knew this would be a longish ride but not how long it would turn out to be. I photographed a couple of items along the way.

A Penfold pillar box

Beside a bus stop we spotted this antique pillar box, according to the design of John Wornham Penfold. Relatively few still exist “in the wild”.

A crossroads in Dynchurch

At Dymchurch (see here for an etymology of the name), we were still in Kent but we had been travelling so long I was beginning to wonder if we were going to fall off the edge of the world.

Martello Tower

We passed several Martello Towers, built to strengthen our coastal defences against a possible invasion by Napoleon.

Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway

As time was passing, we eventually decided to call a halt here, at the terminus of this light railway than runs antique locomotives and rolling stock.

A view of the tracks

We had a view of the tracks of the RH&D Railway where the road crosses them by a bridge.

At the bus stop

We found a bus stop and settled down to patiently await the next (no doubt delayed) bus. Contrary to expectation, it was more or less on time.

On the bus

We boarded the bus with a feeling of relief, at least on my part. Curiously, the return journey felt quicker than the outward leg.

We left the bus at our usual stop near the hotel and, as we had not eaten since lunch, looked around to see what cafes or restaurants in the area were open. The short answer is none. Even the pubs we tried had stopped serving food by now. Yes, at 8:30 pm.

Herbert’s

This is when we chanced upon an establishment called Herbert’s. You are served through a slot in the transparent screen and there are a few tables and chairs outside on the cobbled road.

Our elegant repast
Photo by Tigger

The hot food on offer consisted of a range of toasties. We both had cheese and Marmite toasties, with ice cream to follow. To drink, I had green tea and Tigger coffee. The ice cream is not visible in the photo because the lady kindly kept it in the fridge for us until we were ready for it.

Having dined thus, we retired to our temporary home on the 8th floor and there, saving unforeseens, will we remain until tomorrow.

Good night, all!

Dawn in Folkestone
Photo by Tigger

Tigger was up uncommonly early this morning to take this photo of the dawn.

Morning in Folkestone

I followed much later with a photo of my own. As the title indicates, today is my birthday but that’s all I will say about it. Neither of us slept particularly well, so we are making a fairly late start. We have plans to visit that other famous Kentish port, Dover. How will that go?

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The tide is rising

Salt water and fresh

On the left is a freshwater river which is covered by the sea at high tide but exposed between tides. Pigeons and gulls come to it to bathe and drink.

The Old High Street

We went a little way up the old High Street (now rebadged as the Creative Quarter).

Folklore

We entered a cafe called Folklore.

Breakfast

Here we had breakfast.

Aboard the bus to Dover

We caught a bus for Dover which arrived almost on time (just s little bit late so as no to create a precedent).

A castle on a hill

We passed through sometimes picturesque landscapes.

Pencester Gardens

In Dover, the bus dropped us at this park, called Pencester Gardens. We sat for a while on a shaded bench, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

The River Dour

To one side of the park runs Dover’s river, the Dour.

Museum and Visitor Information

We paid a visit to the museum in Market Square. There follow just a few examples of what was on view.

Model showing the invasion of Britain by the Emperor Claudius

Remains of an Iron Age boat

WW2 “V1” Flying Bomb

Manning the cannon in defence of Dover

An Anglo-Saxon citizen of Dover

Market Square and Dover Castle

Market Square is not looking its best at present but provides a good view of the castle that still dominates the town.

La salle Verte
Photo by Tigger

We went for coffee in this coffee house with a French name, La Salle Verte. We are drinking a fair amount because the heatwave is still with us. The temperatures down here are a few degrees lower than in London, for which we are grateful.

And now for lunch…