However the weekend was totally different, as Dawn and I set off to Canterbury for a mini break. The main purpose was to just get away for a few days and secondly it's where I was brought up and haven't been back to for some 27 years. So a bit reminiscing was on the agenda.
We set off around 7:00am and headed down the M4 corridor and apart from 3 Red Kites, the only other birds of interest were an Oystercatcher at Theale and 3 Ringed Parakeets just south of the interchange between the M4 and M25. The rest of the journey was all about concentrating on the road as we moved slowly through the roadworks just before the M26.
On the outskirts of Canterbury the sun started to break through the cloud and it looked like we were in for some good weather. There was still a chill in the air but once we had booked into the Greyfriars Lodge, in Stour Street, it was off out and boat trip on one of the tributaries of the River Stour.
The Weavers
The Environment Agency have banned motorised vessels from the River Stour within the walls of the City, so our guide resorted to a set of oars and muscle power. From the Weavers, we headed up stream towards Greyfriars and then turned about and drifted back down to the weir pool at the Millers Arms. With the sun out it was a most enjoyable 40 minute tour of the River. En rout there were Mallard with ducklings, though one individual was alone with no parents in sight, there were Grey Wagtails zooming up and down the river course and Moorhens enjoying the lovely weather.
Blackfriars and Whitefriars either side of the river
There's always a Pizza Express!!
But take a look at this, their fire exit is straight out into the river
Lonely duckling
Grey Wagtail sunbathing
Moorhen
As we moored up a Collared Dove landed on the Weavers restaurant railings, no doubt waiting for a morsel or two.
Collared Dove
From the Weavers we walked up to St Dunstans Church via the West Gate and then back through West Gate gardens towards Toddlers Cove. Along the river there were Mayfly in their millions hatching out and dancing above the flowing river.
Mayfly
At Toddlers Cove, the bathing pool and boating lake are long gone, so it was back into the city centre. Half way up the high street was the Beaney, which used to be a library and today is a museum. Back in the 60's it used to host a huge natural history exhibition with lots of stuffed animals and birds from all over the British Isles. Today there were but to glass cases with just a handful of exhibits.
Can you spot the Kingfisher and Greenfinch
Spoonbill, Black-headed Gull, Ruff and many more
After the Beaney it was time for a meal and a drink or two, before heading back to the B&B.
Looking out across City from the bedroom window I could see huge numbers of Swifts, occasionally individuals would swoop down by the window, but the speed they were travelling at made it difficult to capture them on camera. Though I did attempt a couple.
Swifts
Swift
Swift
Swift
Swift
Swift
As the sun set the Cathedral was lit up giving a striking photo.
Canterbury Cathedral
The next day it was up early and a drive around the countryside. Patrixbourne, Littlebourne, Sturry, Reculver, Herne Bay, Blean Rough Common and finally Harbledown.
At Patrixbourne the ford is still going strong, though the vegetation has grown somewhat in 40 years or so.
The ford at Patrixbourne
At Reculver the towers stand isolated against the skyline and make a great landmark if you want to know where you are. I tried putting Reculver in to my Tom tom and all I got was French and Belgium towns. Just as well I knew where I was going.
Looking west towards Herne Bay
Looking east towards Margate
Reculver Towers
From Reculver it was off to Herne Bay and Hampton Pier, where I used to fish. I can't believe I used to cycle the 8 miles or so from Harbledown to get there. Mind you in those days (1972) there were a lot fewer cars on the roads.
Hampton Pier at Herne Bay
From Herne Bay it was a flying visit to my old primary school at Blean, where I was amazed to see that one of the old wooden classrooms is still standing from 1962. From here I hear Nightingales singing away. The woods here I personally believe are one of the prettiest woods in the UK. Bluebells galore and a woodland you could really get lost in.
Blean Woods
Bluebells
And then in was into Rough Common and a quick visit to the Cricket Ground. It was great to see that Harbledown Cricket Club still play there, though they did seem to be in need of a few wickets as the opposition from Ashford were piling on the runs.
The woods at Rough Common
My last stop was at Harbledown and a last look at a house that probably had the best view in Kent. From my bedroom window I used to be able to see for miles and listen to Nightingales singing from just across the road. Those were the days....