St Margaret's at Cliffe

We decided to go out today as we just pottered around the house yesterday. We drove to
St Margaret's at Cliffe which is just along the coast from Dover. It is where channel swimmers start their journeys and supposedly where the sun first hits the UK each morning. We could faintly see the French coastline today. Mobile phones change to French companies as you arrive. It was such a sunny windy day-bracing is the word I think! We had a delicious lunch at The Coastguard Pub.
We had scallops (mmm!), followed by cod, chips and mushy peas and then I had Bailey's creme brulee and Andy had the cheese board of British cheeses. All lovely! The pub had a friendly cat and the weather was just about warm enough to sit outside though I did wear my hat, gloves and scarf!

A sunny wall makes everything alright.

One of many container ships and ferries arriving at Dover.

After lunch we had a walk on the beach. I didn't notice the graffiti on this chalk cave until I downloaded my photos. We didn't go in there-it looked a little dangerous to me. There were lots of little caves along the cliffs-must have been lots of smugglers.

At first I thought the beach combing was a bit poor, but then I found some little pieces of beach glass, a turquoise bead, part of a lobster shell, a peice of copper, some holey flints and, the best treasure, a lovely piece of wood with a perfect hole in the middle-a sculpture ready made.

I like this little boat shaped hut.

Further along the beach a large white house stands under the cliff. It looked unoccupied somehow and there was a shutter banging on this orange roofed building. A bit creepy in fact. I wonder who lives there. Usually I want to live in these places but I didn't here. The sea was so rough and just below and I could imagine the cats being swept away!

Ah well, back to work tomorrow. I really must do some work, it is piling up a bit as I didn't do much over the holiday. I did have a proper holiday though so I don't feel too guilty!

Shadow Shot Sunday

We had lunch at this pub yesterday with my Mum, brother and his girlfriend. It is such a sweet higgledy piggledy building with so many roofs. It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday, so perfect for shadows. We went to my brother's house next, to see his progress on the kitchen and his finished workshop. The kitchen is from a friend of his-the units and he has managed to fit them into his space. The worktop is made my him-sandwiching plywood and not plywood(I don't know the name) together in sheets to get that stripey effect.

In the garden the rusty bells jester was smiling in the sun.

In the workshop the half finished hand was casting a more gentle shadow.

For more shadows from around he world, visit HeyHarriet here.

Shadow Shot Sunday

It is very hot in London!

Hence this week's shot.

Friday evening, pub next to the river watching all sorts of boats cruise up and down.

For more shadow shots from around the world, visit HeyHarriet here.

Plastic Poodles

400-600
300-450
How I changed the width and height in edit Html to make the picture slightly bigger. I am writing it here to remember it! I have put it back as I realise it looks pixelated. I will try it again with higher resolution photos.
They are going for a walk along the newly painted shelves Helen! That was quick commenting-it has only been there for two minutes!
Sonia said
'Broccoli Pirate
Green Pirate
Green Sparrow'
Sam said-'Is the pub called "Broc-depp" by any chance?
Linda Sue said 'I too thought it must be green sparrow or green Jack- no body would ever name a pub Broccoli!!'
Kenda said 'I also love the light fitting and would guess green sparrow for the pub although I'd love to find out it's called broccoli johnny's or something really cool!'
I liked all of the guesses but these four were the closest so they win the tiny prize-yet to be decided-it will be a surprise prize!
The pub's real name is The Brockley Jack (which I think no one would have got-the Brockley part anyway! It is named after a highwayman. Here is a page with a bit of history and some ghost hunting!

To The Mallyan

The Mallyan is a waterfall. It is near Goathland-where they film Heartbeat! It is a good walk-quite short but just enough to give you an appetite for a lovely pint at the Birch Hall Inn at Beckhole-conveniently sited half way along the walk. The sign on the pub is an oil painting-protected under concave glass. This is me at the waterfall. The only rain we had all weekend was when we arrived at the pub. We didn't mind! The pub has two bars-one is very tiny and the other one is small. It has a tiny shop that sells sweets and crisps. This is Gary and Clare-our lovely hosts and guides.

It was busy at Beckhole!

We went to many pubs-this one (The Lion Inn) is on the moors, and has very thick walls, making it cosy and toasty whatever the weather outside.

Clare looking ghost like in her furry white jacket.

Andy, Gary, Andy and Chris the poet in a pub-not sure which one!

More holiday tales tomorrow!