Day trips can be fun but deciding where to go out for the day on a cold Sunday afternoon in March can be a challenge. Ideally I’d like to go for long walks, fresh air and any excuse for a pub lunch but March can be bloody cold and the long walks become a little shorter and the pub lunch gets a little bit longer. Having studied a Google map of southern England for a matter of minutes we decided on visiting the harbor town Whitstable that is famous for oysters that have been caught in the area since Roman times. The high street is small and very quaint with great places to eat including an amazing fish & chip shop called V.C Jones that we decided to indulge ourselves with.
After a monster lunch of Cod and Chips with a big bowl of mushy peas we decided on a walk along the seafront. When we arrived before food it was colder than a Jeremy Clarkson food platter but the weather turned and the sun came out which made for a pleasant stroll in the very fresh sea air and a chance to see the harbor and watch the preparation of the Oysters.
After a wonderful year with my amazing girlfriend we decided to treat ourselves with as an anniversary present with a Spa and hotel trip. We booked into the Ashdown Park Hotel in Sussex and found a large stunning country estate that reminded me of Downton Abbey with the hotel staff dressed in traditional uniforms and delivering a fantastic professional service with great food and the most relaxing grounds you could ever ask for. The room was comfortable but not as impressive as the whole building. When we arrived at night the grounds weren’t visible but in the morning the view from the room was amazing.
Without a doubt it certainly was a great place to relax.
Last weekend I got to do something from my Bucket List that was to fire a shotgun. I went to a Virgin Experience day in Dartford called JJ’s. The details of the adventure offered me tea and seasonal food along with shooting clay pigeons. The reception area was a hole cut out of a trailer where a man with all the charisma of a tortoise welcomed me with a raffle ticket and some advice. “Get ya cutta tea and a cake over there.”
I didn’t expect the Savoy grill but to be presented with a white burger van and my tea in a polystyrene cup and choice of Muffin wasn’t quite seasonal food. While we waited for our instructor in sub zero conditions the sound of shots being fired reminded me of the London Riots a few years ago and I felt right at home. The time came for me to learn how to shoot the heads off Zombies by practicing with little black discs.
The instructor was excellent. Very friendly and within a couple of shots I fell in love with this activity. Out of 32 shots I hit 26, which isn’t too bad for a first go I think. Victoria kept score so I hope she didn’t add a few extra points for me in sympathy?
I’ve still got a sore cheek from the kick back from the Beretta shotgun. My very own war wound. I can’t wait to go back again!
I’ve really enjoyed March. Roll on April.
Terrific account of a terrific day. Happy anniversary to you both!