Thursday 4th May 2018
Anne and I travelled down to Margate from Kettering via Dartford Crossing with a brief stop in Epping Forest on 4th May 2018 and stayed until Monday 7th May 2018.
It was great to be back at Red House albeit for a short stay this time. Guy and Margaret made us instantly welcome.
The first afternoon we went out to Pegwell Bay thinking we might spot some birds and see the sunset. We saw a lot of mud and a couple of wading birds.
Friday 5th May 2018
The next day (Friday) Anne went to London for the day to be with Ellie on her day off work, Will was still in South Africa, so it was an opportunity for Mother / Daughter bonding time. I went to be a farmer again and proceeded to do some ploughing. This was a real joy as It was the first time that I had this experience. At Birchington and at the Scott’s farm on Waltham I drove the tractor for many other purposes; but not ploughing. Sadly, there were no following seagulls or flocks of birds seeking works and grubs; but to have the wind through my hair and sense of achievement was tremendous. See some practical work on this Video.
Saturday 6th May 2018
Anne and I went exploring Margate and some of the haunts from my youth.
Shell Grotto was the first place to visit. The website has excellent photos and history.For me, the significance is that the home in front (indeed on top) of the grotto was occupied by a family well known to us the Deacons. This family moved from Reading, Berkshire, to Ramsgate, Kent and lived in a home that was situated on a railway tunnel that was part of the Railway Line from Margate Sands to Ramsgate Harbour. (This line had a crossing gate on Star Lane and this year I swa the remains of the gate keepers lodge being demolished).
The Ramsgate Tunnel was used after closure for a fun fair railway and it was possible to feel the rumble of trains while taking tea on Sunday afternoon. When the Deacon family moved to Margate, they needed a home near the Margate meeting room (In fact opposite), Rose Lodge is built on top of the Grotto and was built before the Grotto was discovered in 1835.
Sunday 7th May 2018
Nelson and Ruth, and Tim and Merle came to Margate for the day. We all went to St James Church with Guy and Margaret back to Red House for lunch, and thence to the beach. There is nothing like a walk on the Minnis Bay beach (or promenade) for a good chat and catch up with family news and activities in the past 12 months. A storm had been through the previous week and damaged a number of beach huts (in some cases beyond repair).
At Afternoon tea back at the farm Guy introduced Geoff Philpott who was not known to any of us but all well acquitted with his father and Grand parents.