Christmas Day, about 12.00 noon. I decided the weather was too perfect to stay indoors looking at tinsel and drinking Port, Whiskey, Baileys (take your choice - I do!).
So a gentle 25 miles beckoned. Across Romney Marsh and down to St. Mary's Bay and a three mile toddle along the sea wall to Dymchurch. Of course, no cafes were open but I had prepared for that, taking a flask of coffee and a couple of mince pies.
This view looks East towards Folkestone - you may just discern Folkestone cliffs on the promontory if you click the image. The sea looks almost Mediterranean and there was no wind, but the temperature was 4 degrees C, so I eschewed bathing.
There were quite a few cars about and some brave souls were out walking dogs, children and/or elderly relatives when I reached Dymchurch, but on my ride home through the lanes back to Ashford only 4 vehicles passed me.
A delightful way to work up an appetite for the Christmas lunch cooked by Mrs Avus (But I did my bit with the washing up!)
12 comments:
A lovely day.
All the best for 2020
Lovely. I always think of The Scarecrow when I hear of Dimchurch. That's my kind of vicar.
gz: Thanks. I see you are still very busy enjoying NZ!
Tom: Obviously a fan of Dr. Syn!
Christmas day here was a sunny one so I managed a ride in the morning and then a walk after lunch. All the best for 2020.
Dave:
A like minded soul! Let's hope 2020 is a good year for all of us
A man who willingly drinks Baileys! Whisper it not in Gath. But what about the medication?
Comparison worthy of consideration: Time spent by Mrs Avus preparing and monitoring the cooking of a Christmas lunch - a couple of hours (more if turkey was involved). Time spent washing up for two - 30 minutes at a stretch. But no doubt you made up the deficit by washing the sheets and ironing the doilies.
I must say you chose a good vantage point for viewing Folkestone, although the other side of the Channel would have been better. It is of course VR's home town and we used to visit it regularly and happily when her parents were alive. Now it is gloom added to desolation with the result cubed. Not surprisingly it is host to what must surely be the worst hotel in Britain. I won't name it but I'm sure you are able to identify it. If ever your doughty spirit enters a trough, revivify it by reading TripAdvisor reviews; life could be far, far worse as a permanent resident of this rickety structure.
Some day you and I must discuss what I used to call kick-stands, Their desirability, their deployment and their imperfections
RR:
The only occasions when I drink alcohol these days are at Christmas and then I limit it to one glass per day only. To hell with the medication - I need to "break out"just occasionally and try to forget my aged body. We both enjoy Baileys, but even in my drinking days one glass was enough as it can cloy the palate.
No, I didn't wash the sheets and iron the napkins, but I do hoover/dust the whole house every day (we have a dog), help Mrs Avus with the heavy, awkward tasks (unfortunately she has severe rheumatoid arthritis) and she always gets her breakfast in bed every day. We have a working partnership, forged over 60 years and I try my best to help, although she is a fiercely independent lady - and good for her. "Rage, rage...." etc. as Thomas has it.
Knowing modern Folkestone (from afar, fortunately) I think I might be hard pushed to single out just one dire hotel. But like most harbour towns these days the whole place is in failing decreptitude.
My bike came with the kick stand as standard, it is a robust structure and scientifically positioned to distrubute the fore/aft weights. I find it excellent for general use. However I have retro-fitted a centre stand which is useful for lifting the rear wheel off the ground when tuning the derailleur gears, etc.
Happy New Year! How nice you were able to ride out on Christmas Day to whet your appetite for your midday meal. Thank goodness being away for a year didn't keep me from being able to finally get on with things.
Vita:
Really good to hear from you once more. I was beginning to wonder if you, like many others, had called it a day where blogging is concerned.
A happy new year to you and yours, too.
Another bike ride to enjoy vicariously! Happy New Year to you and yours from me and mine.
Kay:
And a Happy New Year to you and yours, too.
💜
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