John Burke's Hastings, August 1999
Folkestone, Rye and Back to Hastings |
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Sunday 1st August 1999
After a full day at Dover Castle, we walked back down the earthworks and left the ancient
fortress, then back up the hill to the car park.
Our next port of call, quite literally, was Folkestone.
Left is the harbour and the viaduct that crosses it. On the horizon towards the right is
one of a row of Martello towers, built for the defence of the coastline. |
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Some, badly signposted roadworks sent us the wrong way and we did a tour of the ferry car
park before finding somewhere to leave the car and having a walk around.
The second photo is of the same harbour, taken from quite close to the railway viaduct.
After a short while we returned to the car and drove on around the coastline until we came
to Rye (below).
From the main road we walked over the railway crossing and came to a white-painted smock
windmill. |
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We did not have a map of the town with us and had no idea whether we were
close to or a long way from the actual town centre. Not finding anything but a chip shop and
one expensive and crowded bistro open for food, we decided to head back to Hastings to eat.
In fact we were only a stone's throw from the town centre, but this will have to wait until
Friday!
Walking back over the railway line brought us back to the harbour. |
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On the way back to Hastings we came across a Beefeater
Restaurant by the roadside and stopped for a meal.
It was a leisurely meal and an easy drive back to Hastings.
We parked close to the guest house and walked back down towards George Street in Hastings'
Old Town. In the dusk, the old buildings took on a different character. |
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| I found myself wishing I had my sketch book with me but
it was back in the car.
I always think that you should walk around any town both in daylight and again at twilight.
It is those few minutes before the sky completely loses its colour that is most magical.
The atmosphere could almost be tasted - we are looking at a fish and chips shop... |
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