Visiting North Kent - Whitstable, Rochester, Cliffe, Oare Marshes

Although, we visit southeast Kent whenever we come over we never seem to give North Kent a go. And, in fairness, it is a really interesting area. Lots of history of course but I always find the coastal towns have a certain je ne sais quoi. So, here are some pictures from our visit to Whitstable on Sunday after touring around Rochester. While there J-Rock had a 'pot' of mussels (already de-shelled) which were really nice but, er, came from 'somewhere in Europe'. Anyhow, these parts are famous for their oysters BUT most of the oysters aren't native - they come from Portugal and are farmed locally. But lots of so-called famous/and or wealthy people from London and environs are looking for property in this area - needless to say we saw no familiar faces.

I'm jumping ahead - Whitstable was our last town on our weekend adventure. Our first stop was the Oare Marshes RSPB reserve. We were blessed with great weather, a good packed lunch, chocolate and a 'flask' of tea. We saw a Little Stint and the Brits were keen on seeing the Long Billed Dowitcher. Also, lots of Golden Plovers, Dunlin, and Lapwing. DB also kept running into People He Knew and J-Rock kept wanting to move on. So J-Rock and I moved on and DB caught up with the People He Knew!

After Oare we went skating as below - the less said about that the better!

We slept in the Medway Youth Hostel in Gillingham - a converted Oast House. And took their comfy womfy family room. But first we de-stressed from the skating with a pint at the local pub - I had a half of Buckley's REVEREND JAMES! - It's worth the trip to Gillingham!

Next day we birded/hiked another RSPB reserve called Cliffe Pools. The little community there almost had an international airport thrust upon them and their marshes until a huge campaign was mounted against it. The airport never happened. For any of you into Dickens the area was the setting for Great Expectations - the church in town is supposed to be the meeting place of Pip and Magwitch.

We also visited Rochester as they were having a food and drink festival. The cathedral is free with donation and was well worth it (the donation that is!)...We celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada but over 'ere they have harvest festivals in all the churches. People bring in fruits of the harvest such as marrows, apples, pumpkins, cabbages, zucchinis and cans of food. All piled up at the front of the church to be given to those who need it.

We were fortunate enough to happen upon the start of the Sausage Hurling Contest - the event took place on the grounds of the castle (which we didn't enter as it required a £30 entrance fee!). The winner threw one sausage 128 feet! Talk about athletics. It provided a good break for us as we sat and ate our Black Jacks, Turkish Delight and crisps.
But, hey, what IS this spiky thing that we saw at the gates of the castle??? A device to foil muggers? A multi-marshmallow roaster? All ideas welcomed!