26 Saturday Oct 2013
Posted in England, Food, Travel, Uncategorized
Tags
Tucked away in a small corner of Ramsgate, a coastal town on the English Channel…
You might miss it and just walk by on your way down to the marina…
But there is a sweet little cafe almost like a cave in the seawall near the water.
It has cakes and jacket potatoes with beans, and little sandwiches. All the British staples.
I love England. There are these little hidden gems to be found in every old place.
21 Wednesday Aug 2013
Posted in England, Sailing, sketching, Travel, Uncategorized
Early one morning this summer in southeast England, when the sailors had gone out to race during Ramsgate week…
I decided to take my sketchbook and head up the Viking Coastal Trail which hugs the English Coast. France is only 30 miles away across the sea, but the coastline here is pure English…chalk cliffs, seagulls and beautiful horizons.
Appropriately, the walk begins in Ramsgate above a popular fish and chips shop near the beach.
I headed up the cliff to get on the upper walkway along the coast. I was heading to Broadstairs, sketchbook and camera in hand.
I was well above the marina and the seawall of Ramsgate.
I headed north. It was overcast but lovely…maybe 65 degrees with a soft breeze. I headed along some of the Victorian era crescents to my left…
the sea and vistas back towards Ramsgate behind me…
and the sea and the beaches to my right.
As I walked out of Ramsgate proper, it became all about the sea.
The path finally cut a bit away from the sea, into a wooded park, with a small food stop and dogs everywhere playing with balls and kids and each other.
As the park ended, the path went through mounds of berry bushes…
and finally ended up here…on the Boradstairs side of the park.
The sea reappeared in all its glory.
And after a long sit on a strategically placed bench, I decided to head back towards Ramsgate.
This time when I came to the other end of the park, I decided to take the lower beach walk. I took a long time getting down these steps taking in the views.
I headed home along the beach, watching the sea and the people and the birds.
Back to town and the sailors…
18 Sunday Aug 2013
Tags
On the trek down the seawall in Ramsgate, on your way to the marina where the sailors take off for the race of the day, is a sweet little coffee cafe called “Lola’s”.
Photo by me.
I stopped for a coffee myself yesterday morning on my way down to watch the send off. She also has homemade bread pudding, brownies, sausage rolls and egg sandwiches as well as other treats in case you didn’t have enough time to grab breakfast at the club before a hard day on the open water.
A stop for a hot drink on your way down the sea wall. Photo by me.
And of course, you can always find a bit of conversation…most often related to the days sailing activities.
Hot chocolate and “dock talk” at Lola’s. Photo by me
And they’re off…
Another day racing at Ramsgate. Photo by me
16 Friday Aug 2013
It has been a lovely week. Beautiful clouds floating in the sky, but so far no rain at all. That is predicted to change today. Each morning My Beloved Brit packs up his sailing gear, and heads over to the Royal Temple Yacht Club to join his mates for a big breakfast before they set out for the day to race on the English Channel.
Looking back towards the yacht club from the marina, Ramsgate. Photo by me
A few mornings I have walked down to the sea wall to see them off, and I must say it is great fun.
The marina is still full. Photo by me.
There is a lot of bustling about on the boats, and you can hear the laughter coming across the marine…often following what sounds like MBB’s voice.
Heading for the boat. Photo by me
There’s lots of activity getting the boat ready.
It’s very exciting as they start pulling away from their berths and head out to the open sea for a day of racing.
Photo by me.
My Beloved Brit heads out on Assassin. photo by me.
Almost like a parade.
Photo by me.
It never gets old for him…or for me. I head out with a friend to walk through the gardens of Kent. Win, win.
An artichoke blooming in a Kent Garden with a small bee looking for pollen. Photo by me.
13 Tuesday Aug 2013
Posted in Sailing
We got to Ramsgate in the Southeast of England late Sunday, with time to prep for Race Week.
Boats at the ready for Ramsgate Week. Photo by me.
Ramsgate Week is the Royal Temple Yacht Club’s annual regatta and bills itself as “the friendly regatta”.
The Royal Temple Yacht Club on the front looks over the huge marina at Ramsgate. Photo by me.
It is a full week of sailing, competition and partying, and this year proves to be no exception.
Waiting for the week to begin, My Beloved Brit looks out to sea. Photo by me.
I spent my first evening walking around the port on the English Channel, taking in the gorgeous skies and mellow seas.
The sailboats ready for the next morning. Photo by me.
It promises to be a beautiful week with temps in the high 60s to low 70s, cool on the water but perfect for touring.
The way out of the protected port to where they will race. Photo by me.
I am heading down to the marina now to see the boats take off for their races. Wish him luck!