Exploring Kent

Kent.  Saturday/Sunday October 13/14 2018

Saturday

Saturday was packing and travelling day – in very warm, sunny conditions. The letting agency had given us short instructions on how to reach Cavalry Cottage ‘’take Junction 11 off the M20, 5 miles later, Cavalry Cottage is on the left’’. It wasn’t. Turning round, Pam asked at a garage. It might be down there, waving at a side road. Ask again at a timber yard ‘’ it’s round the back there’’. Eventually it was. A very nice house, a hedge and… a ramshackle entrance into Cavalry Farm. A small yard with horse box, stables, a tractor, etc. 

Horse Stud ? More like a small livery stables.

The cottage tucked away against the hedge was ours.

Pam went to the creeper covered farmhouse door and an elderly woman, craggy-faced and clad in very short shorts and a sweater, appeared to give her a guided tour.

We then unpacked the car, walking across the grass to the French windows, and settled in. Much better inside than out - until I tried to connect to the internet - as promised in the advert. Lack of WiFi is a deal breaker for both of us. Router turned off was the message. Off went Pam again. Try the patio and the bedroom window sill was the message. Not good enough, we were furious. Claiming its availability when it isn’t is fraudulent. Neither could I access the web in order to pay for to-day’s Dartmouth crossing. Failure to do so by midnight to-morrow results in a heavy fine. It’s the only way to pay. I’d tried to pre pay but there was a fault.

We’ll see what to-morrow brings.

Sunday October 14  Battle of Hastings day

Sunday began with birthday card and present opening for Pam, 81 to-day. Then, a much anticipated first Kent moth trap opening. The trap was placed on the patio to shelter it from the strong blustery wind. 147 in number of 31 species. Waw. Nothing rare nor new but, some pleasing moths. Cypress Carpet, Delicate, Dark Swordgrass, Mottled Umber, Grey Pine, Merveille de Jour, November Agg, many Barred Sallows and the usual expected brown jobs .

Pam’s decision on how to spend her birthday was to try for the Beluga Whale at Gravesend – which I applauded.

Parking at Poundland, on a small retail park on the banks of the Thames, we walked about 40 metres up to the concrete walkway and wall overlooking Tilbury Docks on the opposite bank. A few other watchers already present reported that the whale had been seen well and near this buoy at 10.30 this morning, before swimming downstream. It should return with the turning tide. We sat/ stood for three hours, enjoying the water traffic. The Marco Polo cruise ship, tied up at Tilbury Docks opposite, leftfor Sydney, Australia. Tug boats and pilot boats and sailing yachts came and went. 

 

The drizzle became heavier and visbility worsened. Wet and cold, we gave up and drove to our home for the week. We’ll try again. The forecast for to-morrow is similar unfortunately.

Back home in Norfolk, our group have seen Beautiful Marbled and the very rare Clancy’s Rustic. No point regretting.