A right royal time
Up early today, and off to Hove to pick up Beth and then we drove to Ashford for a day out with Pat and Maureen. Today was the day before Pat's 85th birthday, as Wednesday is supposed to be rainy.
We drove to Hythe, where Lorraine had booked us The Royal Saloon, a carriage on a little miniature railway, called the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. There were two plaques on The Royal Saloon saying the Queen herself had ridden in it on two occasions, so it was a fitting carriage for Pat. It took us to Dungeness, where Pat had worked in the nuclear power stations.
We all loved it. Lorraine particularly has a strong love for steam trains, and spent the journey looking shining eyed, and waving at everyone as we passed, most of whom waved back. Soon Pat and Maureen were waving too, and Beth had soon perfected a royal wave that made people laugh all the way from Hythe to Dungeness. This was a corner of Kent strange to me. Pat told me was the largest area of shingle in Europe. The tiny train trundled along the tiny track very slowly, but its size made it seem faster.
We arrived at Dungeness which I found an intriguing place. Completely flat, with wooden slatted buildings dotted here and there, and a pleasingly bleak flatness. Bits of vegetation including sea kale, and swathes of shingle were here and there. Near at the station was the Britannia Inn, it was warm enough to sit outside this, and we had fish and chips there (Betty opting for a pint of prawns) and we had some drinks. I had two pints of shandy.
Lorraine and I had a quick walk down to the sea past the new lighthouse, and a model have a photoshoot on the shingle. The place was very photogenic.
Then all back into the Royal carriage, and back to Hythe, and from there Lorraine drove us home where we had cups of tea, a bit of birthday cake, clambered in lofts and Lorraine sorted the Skype so Pat and Maureen could talk to Derek over in Finland again.
Fond farewells, then we drove home listening to reggae on Radio two, with Beth curled on the backseat. It had been a lovely day.
Below inside the Royal Carriage, and Pat with his cake.
We drove to Hythe, where Lorraine had booked us The Royal Saloon, a carriage on a little miniature railway, called the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. There were two plaques on The Royal Saloon saying the Queen herself had ridden in it on two occasions, so it was a fitting carriage for Pat. It took us to Dungeness, where Pat had worked in the nuclear power stations.
We all loved it. Lorraine particularly has a strong love for steam trains, and spent the journey looking shining eyed, and waving at everyone as we passed, most of whom waved back. Soon Pat and Maureen were waving too, and Beth had soon perfected a royal wave that made people laugh all the way from Hythe to Dungeness. This was a corner of Kent strange to me. Pat told me was the largest area of shingle in Europe. The tiny train trundled along the tiny track very slowly, but its size made it seem faster.
We arrived at Dungeness which I found an intriguing place. Completely flat, with wooden slatted buildings dotted here and there, and a pleasingly bleak flatness. Bits of vegetation including sea kale, and swathes of shingle were here and there. Near at the station was the Britannia Inn, it was warm enough to sit outside this, and we had fish and chips there (Betty opting for a pint of prawns) and we had some drinks. I had two pints of shandy.
Lorraine and I had a quick walk down to the sea past the new lighthouse, and a model have a photoshoot on the shingle. The place was very photogenic.
Then all back into the Royal carriage, and back to Hythe, and from there Lorraine drove us home where we had cups of tea, a bit of birthday cake, clambered in lofts and Lorraine sorted the Skype so Pat and Maureen could talk to Derek over in Finland again.
Fond farewells, then we drove home listening to reggae on Radio two, with Beth curled on the backseat. It had been a lovely day.
Below inside the Royal Carriage, and Pat with his cake.
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