a day at the seaside
After a 2 month heatwave and glorious sunshine, it was to be expected that the day we decide to go to the seaside would be overcast and 10c colder. But I'd been itching to go back to the transformed Margate, before it became too hipster and "Brighton"
We had an early start, getting a direct train from Kings Cross - slightly surreal to see a train to Amsterdam at the next platform!
and then we got to Maaargate ..... innit. :-)
the iconic Dreamland building
we were pretty early, around 10 am, so the glorious vast sandy beach was still pretty deserted
(this photo would have been pretty damn perfect if that lady had sat down but I gave up waiting)
Although my first priority was a swim at Walpole tidal pool, the tide was in our favour this trip so we stopped first at the Turner Gallery, in the hope that the weather might warm up a tad. Also to see the "real" polar bear which made an appearance in the entrance on the half hour
I can;t seem to get the video of the bear to embed here but it should be viewable via this link
There was also an Anthony Gormley statue outside, looking out to the sea
the exhibition was about Animals and Art, which was pretty well curated with a good range of artworks
we were particularly impressed by the local schools' exhibition which complemented this - some incredible talent here, difficult to believe they've been created by kids!
continued our stroll to Walpole Bay, past the derelict old Lido
me with an obligatory tub of yummy cockles
and then we reached it, the beautiful and immense tidal pool. A bit quieter than last visit but I wasn't the only crazy person going for a swim!
absolute freaking heaven
Rob of course opted to stay dry.
I tried to be sensible and get out of the water when I started to get chilly but the sight of more people getting in the water gave me all the envy, and I had to go for another swim! Finally dragged myself out of the water to re-dress so that we could head back into town to hit the vintage shops.
love this place.
the tide was coming back in already and Gormley was starting to drown (much to the alarm of a couple of ladies - to whom we had to explain that it wasn't a real person)
found the Tudor House museum back in town, unfortunately just missed its opening hours
Heading towards the vintage shops .... Adventure around every corner, apparently
the shops were aesthetically rather cool, but a little self-conciously so and focussing on fairground paraphenalia, all too expensive to take home with us
joined the queue to get fish and chips for lunch, then tried to find a quiet scenic place to eat them.... this looked quiet and scenic enough ...
..... until we got company :-)
went for a drink on the Harbour Arm, watching the tide gradually sweep into the bay. It was a bit noisy here this time, due to a Soul event going on at one of the pubs, so we didn't stay too long - and icecream called anyway.
back the other side in time for a quick paddle from the steps, as they gradually got covered by the tide
got a bit splashed by the waves though!
Decided not to bother with Dreamland this time, as they now charge entry and we found out the wooden rollercoaster was once again not working, so we had a play in the amusement arcades instead. Did consider having a drink in one of the resort pubs before our train home, but by now they were full of stag/hen do's, so we decided instead to spend our final hour on the beach, the sun finally deciding to show its face for the final hour or so of daylight.
the journey home felt twice as long and tiring but I'd finally had my day at the seaside, so I was happy!
Link to gallery on smugmug here
We had an early start, getting a direct train from Kings Cross - slightly surreal to see a train to Amsterdam at the next platform!
and then we got to Maaargate ..... innit. :-)
the iconic Dreamland building
we were pretty early, around 10 am, so the glorious vast sandy beach was still pretty deserted
(this photo would have been pretty damn perfect if that lady had sat down but I gave up waiting)
Although my first priority was a swim at Walpole tidal pool, the tide was in our favour this trip so we stopped first at the Turner Gallery, in the hope that the weather might warm up a tad. Also to see the "real" polar bear which made an appearance in the entrance on the half hour
I can;t seem to get the video of the bear to embed here but it should be viewable via this link
There was also an Anthony Gormley statue outside, looking out to the sea
the exhibition was about Animals and Art, which was pretty well curated with a good range of artworks
we were particularly impressed by the local schools' exhibition which complemented this - some incredible talent here, difficult to believe they've been created by kids!
continued our stroll to Walpole Bay, past the derelict old Lido
me with an obligatory tub of yummy cockles
and then we reached it, the beautiful and immense tidal pool. A bit quieter than last visit but I wasn't the only crazy person going for a swim!
absolute freaking heaven
Rob of course opted to stay dry.
I tried to be sensible and get out of the water when I started to get chilly but the sight of more people getting in the water gave me all the envy, and I had to go for another swim! Finally dragged myself out of the water to re-dress so that we could head back into town to hit the vintage shops.
love this place.
the tide was coming back in already and Gormley was starting to drown (much to the alarm of a couple of ladies - to whom we had to explain that it wasn't a real person)
found the Tudor House museum back in town, unfortunately just missed its opening hours
Heading towards the vintage shops .... Adventure around every corner, apparently
the shops were aesthetically rather cool, but a little self-conciously so and focussing on fairground paraphenalia, all too expensive to take home with us
joined the queue to get fish and chips for lunch, then tried to find a quiet scenic place to eat them.... this looked quiet and scenic enough ...
..... until we got company :-)
went for a drink on the Harbour Arm, watching the tide gradually sweep into the bay. It was a bit noisy here this time, due to a Soul event going on at one of the pubs, so we didn't stay too long - and icecream called anyway.
back the other side in time for a quick paddle from the steps, as they gradually got covered by the tide
got a bit splashed by the waves though!
Decided not to bother with Dreamland this time, as they now charge entry and we found out the wooden rollercoaster was once again not working, so we had a play in the amusement arcades instead. Did consider having a drink in one of the resort pubs before our train home, but by now they were full of stag/hen do's, so we decided instead to spend our final hour on the beach, the sun finally deciding to show its face for the final hour or so of daylight.
the journey home felt twice as long and tiring but I'd finally had my day at the seaside, so I was happy!
Link to gallery on smugmug here