This week we have have a double bank holiday: the annual spring bank holiday has been moved to Thursday and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is celebrated on Friday, making a four-day weekend.

Today, the weather being reasonably fine, we decided to visit the seaside town of Margate, where Tigger once lived. Possibly, it is not a good idea because, predictably, lots of people have the idea of going to the seaside and everywhere will be crowded. And you know how I hate crowds…

We took a bus to St Pancras International Station. Everywhere was crowded and there was a long queue for the Eurostar which you had to break through to reach the shops. I bought coffee and croissants while Tigger took care of the tickets.

Aboard the HS1

Coffee and croissants in hand, we went up the escalator to the HS1 platforms. Our train was already there and we went aboard. It looked as though all the seats might be occupied but we found two vacant priority seats and grabbed them.

Arriving at Margate

We reached Margate at last and walked through the station.

Margate Station

Margate’s first railway station opened in 1863 but the present building dates from 1926.

A glimpse of the sea

We crossed the road and had our first sight of the sea across Margate’s famous sandy beach.

The Victoria Jubilee Clock Tower

As we approached it, the Jubilee Clock, installed in honour of that other long-lived monarch, Victoria, was striking 12 noon.

Margate Harbour

We walked along the promenade, approaching the harbour arm that also serves the purpose of a pier. The actual pier, somewhat perversely called the Jetty, became dangerous and first closed, then was destroyed by a storm, in the 1970s.

Exploring the backstreets

The seafront was crowded, not only by pedestrians but, worse, by hundreds of motorcycles, mostly in groups. The noise of engines and the stink of exhaust fumes spoilt an otherwise pleasant environment. We took a turn round the backstreets where it was quieter.

Motorcycles everywhere

Despite the noise, we sat on a bench near the seafront for a while taking in the scene. As some motorcycles departed, others arrived. There were also quite a few motor scooters but the two communities seemed to coexist peacefully. The old quarrels of “Mods” and “Rockers” have seemingly passed into history.

The Wig & Pen

For lunch we looked at a few places but they were either unappealing or crowded. This is where local knowledge comes in handy: we went to the pub called the Wig & Pen because…

Bow’s Thai Kitchen

…upstairs is Bow’s Thai Kitchen. It was not at all crowded and the menu included a lot of vegetarian dishes.

Two number 17s
Photo by Tigger

We both had number 17 on the menu – Kway Teow Pad See-Ewe – a mildly spiced noodle dish with halloumi in place of meat. With it we shared a pot of jasmin tea.

Sitting on the sesfront

Afterwards, we sat on a bench at the seafront for a while. Despite the crowds and the uncouth noises from the road behind us, it was quite pleasant in the sunshine.

The old Custom House

We then walked to the harbour arm and the old Custom House that is now a tourist information office and RNLI shop.

Bicycles, scooters, motor cycles

The open space behind the Custom House was crowded with bicycles, motor scooters and motorcycles but…

Mostly motorcycles

…mostly motorcycles.

The Lifeboat Station

We briefly visited the lifeboat station.

Quieter streets

We went for a stroll in quieter parts of town.

Costa Coffee

We tarried a while in a branch of Costa Coffee which was far enough away from the centre not to be crowded.

The High Street

We walked up the High Street which is pedestrian only, though you have to watch out for cyclists who don’t think the rules apply to them. “Cyclists Dismount” is apparently incomprehensible to these idiots.

Jubilee Clock Tower and promenade

Though we had a while to go before our train at 4:30 pm, we began slowly to make our way back to the railway station, passing the Jubilee Clock Tower again, …

Amusement arcade

…the several amusement arcades and…

Ice cream shop

…the ice cream shops, which were doing plenty of trade on such a warm, sunny day.

Approaching the station

Here we are approaching the railway station in plenty of time for our train, so no need to hurry.

Aboard HS1

The train arrived and we went aboard. There was the usual scramble for seats but…

Priority Seatsn

… once again we found a pair of priority seats which have extra space for our long legs.

Crossing the River Medway
Photo by Tigger

We crossed the River Medway, taking us out of the modern county and ancient kingdom of Kent.

Arriving back in London

The train duly delivered us back at St Pancras in London.

EL & N

For a final treat, we stopped off at EL & N for coffee where the Eurostar queue was denser than ever, winding past like a river.

Aboard the 214

Outside the station, we caught a number 214 bus which carried us up the hill to the Angel, ending today’s outing.

Photographed and written as it happened.