O I do like to be beside the seaside....

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Well we do love to be beside the seaside so the short trip to Margate was welcomed, a short drive from London it hardly seemed any distance at all with occasional glimpses of the Kent countryside through the motorway barriers.

A quick look around Margate made it clear that this cute spot is an opportunity awaiting its time and for a place that has retained almost all of its 'old town' it will be interesting to see how it is dealt with. 

In much of the old town all that can be seen are the original buildings many of which are a composite of brick and a local material, flint. Flint buildings are probably not exclusive to Margate but in the numbers present they certainly look distinctive. In contrast though is the newly built Turner Gallery on the waterfront. A bit like the Guggenhiem in Bilboa  (not in style but in intent) placed in Margate because of the fascination Turner had for the place (he said it had the biggest sky in Britain) but perhaps to provide a draw card for Margate and it seems to be working.

Greg and Warren took the time to show off their prized allotment and with good reason. They have much more flat garden area than we do! A bit of garden envy emerged but as there were no tomatoes to be compared as the final arbiter G&W win on square feet alone.

The unavoidable happened as we had to venture to the shopping centre for provisions and although some considerable restraint was on display, some space-consuming purchases were made, not bad after a month on the road.

We had a very productive afternoon sampling some of the local ale houses and Greg is seen trying his hand out behind the bar. Lucky for some it was only momentarily. It took a little bit more effort to get up next day. Greg and Warren have been great hosts providing sumptuous feasts at ever turn and taking us on trips to the very picturesque countryside and seaside. The countryside is very beautiful and full of glimpses into Ye Olde England. We particularly liked Broadstairs, the seaside town where Dickens wrote a few of his novels. 

All in all it has been a fabulous chance to relax and recuperate from our hectic time in the US and prepare us for the next exciting part of the trip. Greece and blue waters tomorrow.