Dover to Dungeness - Day 3

The final day was from Dymchurch to Dungeness, we started off by taking the bus from Dymchurch to Lytleton where we got off at the Jolly Fisherman.  Walking along the road parallel to the coast there wasn’t much to see on the sandy beach, with calm waveless sea on one side and picturesque sea front cottages on the other. Finally we see the “Welcome to Dungeness” sign and its famous power station in the distance.

We then came across a beach copper, a structure that resembled a miniature building with a chimney, its job is to dry and preserve fishing nets. I learnt something new then.  Next we passed Dungeness RNLI lifeboat house, however no lifeboats were visible.

Moving further along, I saw something I have not seen for a long time, a KX100 telephone box, sadly disused. 

It felt like walking along a drizzly, windswept wilderness where I was at one with nature.  Is this what heaven is like?  Next we found ourselves walking in the Dungeness estate, with its scattered warning signs against camping and flying drones. We passed the former home of the late arthouse filmmaker Derek Jarman.  Apart from the old telephone box another odd sight here was train goods carriage, rusting away due to the elements. How did it get here?  What was it for? We will never know.

The wilderness was dotted with shipwrecks and small abandoned buildings, their use now defunct.  The two Dungeness lighthouses came into clear view, sitting proudly next to the power station. The darker one obsolete while its striped successor proudly pulsating its photons to any sea captain who is interested.

Finally it was time to head back, on our way we stop at the Pilot Inn for a cup of Earl Grey before taking our bus back to Folkestone.  The Pilot Inn, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, proudly boasts about the money raised by its quiz nights last year.  Another only in Britain moment.  Outside lay part of a world war two warplane and an anchor to keep it company, Around the corner we found a red telephone box, also disused.  After waiting a few minutes for its opening we were let in.  Being on the cheeky side, we sat in the dog friendly area despite not having a canine companion. As I waited for my pot of tea, I noticed first day covers on display on a wall.  I went for a closer look, I must be getting nerdy in my old age.

All in all it was an enjoyable three days on the Kent coast, many thanks to my friend for inviting me, it was informative as well as being good exercise.

Tandoori Hut - restaurant review

 After a hard day’s walk, what better way relax and refill the calories than a meal at a curry house tucked away on a corner at the edge of Dymchurch, Kent.

First impressions was a dark interior with 1970s sofas lining against the walls. We were greeted by a chatty and talkative manager. He first offered us popadoms and they came served with the usual sauces and also a spicy ketchup which I haven’t seen before in such an establishment.

Separate menus for drinks and food. I opted for the vegetarian starter and the King Prawn Roshni.  It was the first time that I ever ordered prawns in a curry house.  Oh, there was light, easy listening music being played in the background but unfortunately didn’t distract from a screaming toddler in a nearby table.

The popadoms were crispy despite being cold. The starter was a rather mixed affair, the fried paneer was crisp on the outside and had a good texture inside. The samosa was a little bland and the onion bhaji was acceptable but I expected more. It was more like a standard take away bhaji rather than a restaurant standard one.

Now for the main course, I ordered a peas pilau to go with prawns.  There was an ample portion of rice dotted with green peas, both well cooked.  Sometimes pilau is served too hard but this was just right for me.  For the prawns, which I needed to peel myself, the flavourings overwhelmed any taste of the prawns.  That’s the reason I never go for a prawns dish.  Anyway the spiciness was about right but it would have been better to be able to taste the prawns.

We decided to have the desert and the staff gave us a desert menu each. I went for the lemon sorbet, it arrived inside an oversized hollowed out lemon.  The sorbet wasn’t too sour, although I do have a high sourness tolerance.  The portion was good value for the its cost although I would have preferred a more mature lemon to have a fuller flavour.

The friendly manager came round to chat with us about what we’re doing in town and our plans for the next day. We then paid and left satisfied.

Dover to Dungeness - day 2

Yesterday was pill boxes, today it was Martello towers and a miniature heritage railway, as we head from Folkestone to Dymchurch. After leaving the hotel it rained a little and stopped after we left Folkestone. First landmark was Sandgate castle on the town’s outskirts.

In the same vicinity, something caught my eye, a lone canon, which was next to an information plaque for army officer John Moore, who led of the 95 Rifles light infantry regiment in the Peninsular wars against Napoleon and the French over 200 years ago. I remember watching a Youtube video from the Epic History channel that mentioned them a few years ago.

Towards Hythe we saw our first Elizabethan beacon. We then saw a sign for the Royal Military Canal and we would later walk along it. 

After stopping at the Waterfront restaurant in Hythe for a pot of tea, we set off along Hythe’s sea front. From then on the Martello towers started appearing one by one. 

When we moved onto the Royal Military Canal towpath, a miniature steam train trundled alongside on the narrow gauge rails that ran parallel. Further on we came across our sound mirror and tested it out, my friend only heard a muffled voice. Then it was over the miniature railway foot crossing to go along the road to our destination, Dymchurch.

Interesting sites here included an army firing range and more Martellos. Finally we reached Dymchurch, which is a small sleepy seaside town with a little amusement park. I was expecting it to be a fishing village. It also had an incredibly well stocked charity bookshop. Unlike many second hand bookshops I’ve been in, the books are categorized for the customer. I bought three of them but I may regret it on tomorrow’s walk.