Day 277 - A Jane double bill

Lady Jane Tanqueray, drink in hand, arose to find herself in Kent. She took a deep breath in, sighed loudly, and fought the urge to escape the great unwashed. 

While I am sure we would all have rather enjoyed hearing Lady Jane's first-hand account of our day in Hythe, she has refused citing something about ensuring future deniability. So, I shall endeavour to update our gentle readers and allow future generations to decide whether she was ever really here or not.

Does the sun ever stop shining in Kent? We don't think so.

Following a continental breakfast on the scale of a 5-star B&B, we ventured out to enjoy the sun and attempt to convince Lady Jane that she had Kent all wrong. We walked through Hythe then 2 miles along the seafront to the outskirts of Sandgate. We could sense Lady Jane's defenses falling slowly as she basked in the sun and seaside. That is, at least, until she found herself behind a rather large and boisterous shirtless man whose numerous tattoos and well exposed plumber's bum were in a highly fought battle to be noticed first. Phil and I definitely had our Kent-enthusing work cut out for us.

Nesting cygnets along the Military Canal.

On reaching Sandgate, we turned onto the Military Canal to walk it back to Hythe. The sea almost immediately disappears from view along this path, and so, fortunately, do most of the tattoos. I could sense that Lady Jane felt more at home as she began to compare the environs to those of her beloved Hampshire. It helped that swans were nesting right near the start of this part of the canal, and as swans are all owned by the Queen, Lady Jane felt closer to royalty. She could see herself riding her steeds along the route.

By the time we arrived back into Hythe, she was converted, making plans to bring the Dowager with her for a visit. Will wonders never cease?

We checked out the Hythe Railway, and as if on queue one of the tiny steam trains came chugging into the station as we made our way onto the platform.

A patron of the culinary arts, Lady Jane insisted on buying lunch at the Hythe Food and Drink Festival if only to attempt to prove to me that a sausage roll can be haute cuisine if prepared properly.

Before we knew it, we were saying goodbye to Lady Jane, amid hugs and tears. Lady Jane claimed it was her allergies to poverty acting up. I learned I must have a similar reaction to affluence and nobility. ;-)

As the afternoon began to ebb, our dear friends Jane and the Major joined us for the evening. More bubbly was consumed before we took a walk down to the seaside. As if on queue (seriously, how often has this kind of thing happened on this trip?!) the Red Arrows flew over. The Major thanked us for providing him with the fly-past. The Royal Air Force is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year, and their aerobatic team has been out in force flying their red Hawk fast-jets in gut-wrenchingly close formation. Even though we were about 5 miles from the centre of the action at Folkestone, I managed to get some interesting photos (see more below).

Airshow over, it was time for dinner, and what better to eat when by the seaside than seafood. Despite the crowds who had gathered for the airshow, we got a table at the Hythe Bay Seafood Restaurant.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Jane and the Major after dinner. All these goodbyes are certainly the low point of our wonderful trip. But, we know we will see everyone again soon.

And that is how you confuse the enemy.

Fancy UK crop dusting.

Buzz cut.

Despite how it appears, this is not a watercolour painting.

Everybody dance now!

Oops, thought you said, 'Left."

'Did somebody say, "Time for lunch?"