|
 |
The morning of September 18th found thirty members at various 'pick-up' points waiting to clamber on board David Powell's 1948 Vintage 'bus for the start of our latest trip. We could hardly believe our luck as we were, once again, blessed with perfect weather for our journey to investigate part of the East Kent coast. By the time we stopped in Faversham to pick up the last four passengers the 'bus was probably top heavy with all the upstairs seats occupied as people enjoyed the views of a secluded world rarely seen.
 We arrived in Deal well before lunchtime where we disembarked and soon scattered ourselves through the town to investigate the various activities on hand. There was a Folk Festival in progress with several different groups of Morris Dancers and Clog Dancers to entertain us as we sat outside one of the many cafés and pubs along the promenade and enjoyed our lunch. There was plenty of time to stroll along the pier, view Deal Castle, one of Henry VIII's coastal fortresses, or visit the Time Ball Museum on the front. One of the best known features of Deal front , the Time Ball, which rises and falls above the Museum roof every hour was, unfortunately, out of action but the Museum contained more information about the Shutter Telegraph, part of the nineteenth century messaging system that we had first learnt about during a Society visit to Perry Wood last year. After this there was still time to join other members and sit on the pebbled beach to watch the waves and eat fresh shrimps from a paper bag!
Several of the group decided to spend more time in the afternoon exploring Deal while the remainder climbed back onto the 'bus for the short trip along the coast to Walmer. The castle at Walmer is another Henry VIII fortification and is the seat of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports - a post held by such famous names as Wellington, Churchill and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. There was an interesting audio tour around the castle to see, amongst other things, original Wellington Boots. Other people were more attracted to walking in the grounds and gardens around the castle. Finally most of us then met up again at the the Castle Restaurant where an appetising cream tea was tucked into.
By late afternoon we were ready to climb aboard again for the spin home through the beautiful Kent countryside - remembering, of course, to collect those who had stayed on the promenade in Deal, on the way!
Our grateful thanks again to David for a memorable day out in the late Summer sunshine.
Norma Baxter
|
