Oh I do love to be beside the sea

After pilates class this morning my friend Poppy and I were chatting over coffee. Poppy was telling me how much she enjoyed living in this area. We have all the urban grit and excitement of London with the convenience of Bluewater (Europe's largest shopping mall) just twenty minutes away and the coast only forty minutes away. She told me about a lovely seaside town called Whitstable that they like to visit.

By the time I got home I felt ready for an adventure so we loaded up the car and headed off to Whitstable. One of the best things about living on such a small island is that you're never very far from the sea. In just over an hour we were in Whitstable and it was as lovely and charming as Poppy had described. First stop was lunch. We found the East Quay Restaurant with tables outside on the beach and had proper chunky fish and chips with lots of salt and vinegar. Afterwards we walked down to the water, took off our shoes and went wading. Even Rosie had a splash.

Now I should explain that English beaches are not like the beaches we have in Texas. No one was swimming and I didn't even see anyone wearing a bathing suit. There are sandy beaches in England but most are pebble, as is Whitstable. In high summer and in places like Cornwall you do get more of the typical beachy atmosphere but places like Whitstable are more for walking and wading and enjoying the sea air. It's on the North Sea and that water is COLD. Described as 'bollock shrinking' cold today (well it is September).

It was a lovely day. Even the drive was nice. Getting out of London and seeing the patchwork of fields - bright green pastures dotted with sheep, plowed fields all golden brown with dark green hedges in between. Tobes had a great time and didn't want to leave. Of course, we came home with a few seashells and promises to visit again. Maybe for a long weekend next time.