A KENTISH EYE TEST
During this strange pandemic time and induced discipline I was thankful, as I’m sure all are, of the gradual ease of lockdown restrictions.
So I travelled to visit three Kent coastal gems on various days. (Purely to test my eyesight, of course!) They were Whitstable, Folkestone Harbour and Hythe.
Strolling around Whitstable is a delight: taking in its working harbour and watching the day’s catch being landed then having a few appetising fresh oysters before tucking into fish ’n’ chips.
This was followed by a short amble to the “Cushing view” of the Isle of Sheppey. The view is named after the wonderful Hammer Horror actor Peter Cushing OBE, and his wife Helen, who lived in Whitstable and often sat there watching the sunset. In my view he should have been knighted.
In the high street there’s the little cheese shop selling a variety of Kent cheeses. My favourite? Kentish Blue, a bite into heaven.
In Folkestone, there’s the picturesque harbour and its nearby sandy beach; ideal for a seaside paddle. And outlets prevail of locally caught seafood. Lovely!
Then up to the Leas and views across the English Channel where you can espy the French coast on a clear day. Sit on selected benches and from speakers within, hear letters read out, written by soldiers departing from Folkestone to fight in the Great War. Heartbreaking!
Escaping overcrowded beaches led me to Hythe’s two mile stretch of shingle shoreline where only a couple of hundred gathered with comfortable ample distancing in the heat. Then a walk along the banks of the historic Grand Military canal to Hythe’s Dickensian High Street for, you’ve guessed it – fish ’n’ chips.
Bliss.
Don Austen, London Did anyone else take any interesting trips to test their eyesight after lockdown? We’d love to hear.