On a personal note ...

My Dad and I have just returned from five very pleasant days exploring the south coast of Kent.  We stayed in Ramsgate and took day trips to Deal, Margate and Broadstairs as well as taking in several lovely beaches including Botany Bay, Kingsgate Bay and Joss Bay  ...  all very lovely (well, except for Margate, which has most certainly seen better days).

Here are a few picks ...

Ice-cream is an absolute must on holiday

Finally ... my chance to paddle!!

All very thirsty work!!

 

 

Holidays also involve a sufficient dose of 're-sale' therapy ... we explored a more than adequate number of emporiums and charity shops :-)

Best not to ask >>>>>

One highlight  ...  other than paddling and ice-cream and re-sale therapy and cooked breakfasts  ...  was a visit to the Ramsgate tunnels built just prior to World War II and through which THOUSANDS of lives were saved!!

A spot of reminiscing for Dad

 The tunnels were lined with bunk-beds like these and every

so often there was an alcove cut in to the chalk

providing toilet facilities divided by a curtain.

The buckets were only emptied once a day!!

 Many people were so frightened of attacks at night they spent years living in these make-shift shelters. Having spent just over an hour in the tunnels I simply can't imagine the cold and the damp; and the sheer lack of facilities.

There is so much history in these towns, most of which relates to the two world wars

At first we thought this was a diving bell but discovered it was a shelter for fire-watchers during WWII who were able to give guidance to emergency services about where incendiary devices had been dropped and buildings were ablaze.

That's it  ... I've gone and I'm not coming back again ...