A day at the seaside

As it was promising to be very hot today we drove to the Kent coast where we hoped it would be a bit cooler! We originally planned to go to Hastings but luckily changed our mind and went to Whitstable instead. I say luckily, because the journey wasn't the best we ever had and we heard of a long delay on the M25 near to where we'd have had to turn off to go to Hastings!

Whitstable is famous for oysters and there was a festival taking place celebrating the slippery little things, but we had a picnic with us so we weren't tempted. It was very busy with lots of people soaking up the sun on the pebbly beaches and a few children in the sea.

As soon as we arrived we ate some of our picnic (and a couple of gulls shared our sandwiches) and then we took a walk along the beach. It was very hot! I was beginning to wonder if it was a good idea, because unless we were set to spend the day on the beach with all the paraphernalia that that involves (beach chairs, umbrellas etc) walking about in the heat is not my idea of fun!

The children wanted an ice-cream so we walked up to a lovely shady park overlooking the beach that we visited the last time we came to Whitstable back in 2008.

It was a beautiful place with lots of shade and some gorgeous flowers and plants. I could have stayed all day!

After our little break we carried on along the promenade which stretches along the coast to the next small town. There were lots of beach huts with people enjoying the weather and we saw several groups of teenagers with barbecues on the beach. Summer must be sorted easily if you live by the coast and the weather is good!

I was getting worried about being out in the fierce sun so we returned to the car and drove along the coast to Reculver where we had a drink in the pub there. It was full of people enjoying an early afternoon meal and it was lovely to it outside and enjoy the warmth. We decided to head back home as the journey would take us about three hours and then order a takeaway, rather than try and find a pub on the way. Sitting out in our garden with a glass of chilled white wine would be just about perfect!