Looking for a sandwich, in Sandwich, Kent, England

        Habit is a funny thing, it keeps you going back to the same places, at the same time. Or journeying in the same general direction at least.  It's not a good thing is it, to take the same route every time. Maybe getting favourites, and perhaps eating the same dishes off a menu. Or cooking the same food, "it's my favourite", we say. Perhaps it's only me, this getting stuck into habits, but I don't think so. I think we all fall into habits, either through choice, perhaps through lack of choice, or is it lack of imagination. The silly thing is, I really pride myself on being a more adventurous type, of enjoying trying new things, be it food places, or adventures. So what's going 

              I could end up somewhere different, like this swish cafe, nowhere near Sandwich.

           The thing is, today I made more of an effort to break the mould. Mainly becasue it had only them occurred to me, I might be in a rut. It was cold, bitterly cold, I found myself more than tired of the fact that spring had regressed back into winter. I was already so happy that we had avoided a harsh winter, like the one before. Particularly, after last year, which we shivered through, suffering the coldest, longest winter in many years.  I found it hard, really hard to get through it, my health suffered, and my equilibrium even more. I was virtually house bound, for months. This year I knew it had to be different, I could not just let my health deteriorate further.

           Lately though, the weather has been picking up, daffodils dancing, soft green buds on the trees, all showing promise, that warmth is, at last in the ground.  'Its finished', I thought, 'the dread of harsh weather'. I can relax, enjoy the onset of Spring, and, I was sure, a hot Summer to follow. Boy, did we all deserve it, especially myself. Who, not only had the hardest Winter, but also missed the (very hot summer, thank you) by having to travel to be with my Mother, ill on the other side of the World. I was not happy, on so many levels. Still everything came right, my Mother's health, an easy winter this year, but now....this! This return of the cold, and winter weather. Just when I thought I had seen the last of it.

            Today, on impulse, trying to do something different because of all the above, I turned the car in the opposite direction to the usual. Away from my favourite place of Broadstairs, and towards the further destination of Sandwich. Now, Sandwich has an excellent fish & chip shop, ' Papas', with the freshest fish ever! Also, a great French delicatessen, called 'No Name', after the street in which it stands, and a couple of quite ordinary pubs...I thought. The lovely hotel, 'The Bell', near the river, and swing bridge, is too expensive for a snack today, I thought. Although, I just love the place. One day, I vow, I am going to have a great weekend, or longer there, enjoying everything it has to offer, including being spoilt, and pampered by old fashioned service. Already, over the last few years, I have had some nice lunches in the restaurant, with family, as treats. Always good food, served traditionally,with crisp white tablecloths, subdued conversation, and attentive waiters.

                          The Bell Hotel, Sandwich. A grand old lady.

        Although today, It is more expensive than we want to spend, and I want to relax. I love the foyer of the hotel too, we could sit there, with its sumptuous seating arrangement of couches, and plump chairs, around a large open fire, yet it is out of favour for many months. The fire is probably old news too. Or, more honestly, we are all just too hard up at present for buying real lunches. Better to keep it simple I decide. At least, we are out of the house.

          So, why am I heading to that particular town today? When I have no idea where to go for the best. The third member of our party wants to eat fish & chips, but that's a big meal, and the dining room is not the most comfortable in the world, nor the cheapest. I always seem to be on a strict budget lately, as are the other people with me. A direct result of the enconomy, with fast rising prices, and incomes staying the same. It is impossible to have any kind of social life!  Except for the very cheapest of reasons, to leave the house. I have to get out, with space inside so restricted, and no outside space at all, the only alternative is to get out altogether, away from the house. It gives a pattern to the day,  staves off boredom, or depression for a while. 

                           Papa's wonderful fish & chips..Hadock for me.

             I resisted dropping in for fish, after all there must be places so far, untried. Again on impulse, we spotted the two closest establishments to the Bell as we came over the bridge into town, the pub, 'The Crispin', a wonderful old original 'Medieval building. This originally, I discovered later, used as a meeting house for leather workers, who have 'st Crispin' as their patron saint. Along with the little restaurant by the river, next to it, a little riverside cafe. For unknown reasons I don't have good memories of either. Reluctantly, perished with the cold on the short walk from the parked car, dived into the nearest of the two places. St Crispin. Intent on keeping right on going if it did not look appealing. Ridiculously, the lover of fish& chips spotted the specials board outside, full of West Indian, or. Jamaican food. Curried Goat, jerk chicken and the like, unbelievable really. Of course he went into raptures over the idea he could get typically London style food down here, in this quaint little Medieval town.

       St Crispins pub, closest, painted yellow, and white.

           It was a lovely little pub inside with dried hops hanging from the beams. Plenty of couches about, and bar seats, but the waitress took us through to hard chairs, and the dining area. Empty on a Monday. We snacked, the bread was fresh, and fillings generous. We didn't stop long, not liking the chairs, we should have insisted on a move. No one could be bothered by then, as she was a nice little girl, who thought she was doing right. Deciding to coffee later, elsewhere, comfortably, we left. But just then the hail came down, large lumps, and fast. Bouncing like tiny cannon balls along the pavement before our feet, as we huddled in the doorway. The nice man in the pub found us two abandoned umbrellas, and off we scampered. Completely frozen in double quick time. Five minutes later, we hustled into a new doorway, of the New Inn. Near to No Name deli, discovered they did a much bigger menu, for cheap snacks, vowing to return again another day.

         I tell you, it's a neat trick. Finding the right ambience, the right price, and decent fresh food. It can be done if you take time to explore. I vow now, to explore more often and not stay stuck in a rut. After that, epwe braved the cold again....only to pleased to peach home, and comparative warmth of the tiny living room.

            Oh well, warmer weather is coming soon..... So the weather reports say. I can only hope....

Where in the world?: A snippet of a rainy Ramsgate

Where in the world?: A snippet of a rainy Ramsgate:           Scenes today, as I drove through Ramsgate, in Kent. Going through the seafront centre, by the harbour, the roads wet, and shiny wi...

Bring back spring

          After really getting into spring, watching the daffodils, and crocus shoot, enjoying the sun..albeit weak, it's gone. Today, instead of 20 degrees, it's now 8...agggg. Hate it, hate it, immensely. You know, I remember a few years back when summer came early. The whole of March was like summer. OK it left again, but it was a pretty good summer, as I recall. What is in store for us here in England this year I wonder. All. I know is, my toes, as I sit in my living room, are freezing. Of course, the whole low temperate thing is worsened because of the cost of heating. It's so extortionate, many people must watch how high, and how often we can afford to run it. So, moving away from the feelings of relief, at turning the heating off, to having it back on again. Curses!

             The promise of the beach is gone, replaced by the threat if snow and sleet.

          Yesterday, I actually saw some girls, always notorious for not feeling the cold, wearing sleevless outfits. Mad women, I thought to myself. Ha, bet I don't see any today. It will have to considerably warmer before I go out in only one layer of clothing. Although I did forgo my coat yesterday, (but kept it with me). You know England, three seasons in one day. It doesn't do to walk away from an extra layer of clothing, or you are bound to need it. Apparently it is expected to be even colder tomorrow, with the day after, even worse. We might actually see snow, or at least sleet. I must say, it does not warm the heart, or anything else.

            What is it, 'the North wind doth blow, and then we'll have snow and what will the robin do then, poor thing? Yes, I know it's a winter verse. Except the north wind is blowing, the sun has hidden away, as if it has never been. The bright spring flowers, all showing so nicely, are in dire danger from the cold and wind. I was so enjoying the cheerful spring colours so much. Fingers crossed they hang on in there, until the cold spell has gone. It does have to go, doesn't it?

           What I did do, in lue of the missing sun, was to go explore a new chocolate shop I heard of in Ramsgate. There it was, in one of the whole line of arches, built of pretty red brick looking very warm and welcoming. Tucked away near ships chandlers, estate agents, and assorted small businesses, overlooking the ships. Located along by the harbour, heading towards the old ferry port, under the slope of the hill heading towards West cliffe. Inside, it was spacious, lots of seating of quite smart and comfortable sorts. A busy counter, displaying chocolates, and a drinks price list. As well as a few cakes under glass domes, and a line of booze bottles. So, guess it must be licensed too. It was friendly, and busy, with people coming in, and out constantly.

         We had hot chocolate, with all the trimmings, very indulgent. It had an Internet connection there, which pleased one of the party. The drinking chocolate was real, the many types of chocolates were varied, all very tempting. We all enjoyed our half hour there, overlooking the boats outside.

 

             The view from the window, showing the bridge into the harbour standing open.

          So, hate the cold, but there are some thing which become more attractive. One of which, is taking refuge in a comfy place, and indulging the taste buds. The worst thing being, the time when you must again wrap your coat around you, and head out into the bitter wind an cold, for the car, and home.

         Tomorrow, I am off to London for the day, part business, part pleasure. While there, by coincidence, I have an invitation to visit another chocolate house, fairly recently opened too. I suppose one of the reasons for going today, to the harbour, was to see the differences between the two. I am excited, can't wait to be there, and see for myself. Of course, I shall take photos, and talk about to you, dear readers.

           More later....

Eating out around the Kent coast

      There is nothing I like more than eating out. If ever you ask me what I would like to do, it's that. Ah the joy of deciding which direction to head, climbing in the car, and off I go. It's the gypsy in me, well that's my excuse anyway. Except I don't need one, I like getting about a bit. I also like driving, I like being out, seeing the world. Let's face it, there is still a lot of wonderful world to see. I may have already seen a great deal of it, but everywhere are hidden pockets of excellence, of beauty, or of newness to still find. I guess I will never tire of travelling until I no longer have legs to carry me, or eyes to delight in want I see. Even then, I bet I can find a way to continue.

        I know, today it's no big deal, I'm only talking about a little bit of the Kent coast, and finding places to snack. However, each time I think of going somewhere, I get that same jolt of interest, of excitement. Once you decide where to go, you can enjoy the drive I find. I avoid the motorways, people around you all going hell for leather, wanting to draw you into the racing circuit. Speed, that's what motorways are all about. Everyone wants to get somewhere fast. Or worse, faster than the next man, or in my case, woman. That's not what my outings are about at all. I just want to get somewhere without being rushed along like a lunatic, I want to see a bit of what I am passing.

               Winter willow trees can be the brightest colours

             At least, I see the weather, the sky, what the  hedgerows are doing, that sort of thing. Are the willow trees that lovely bright range of colours you see in the winter, the bare branches become magical, as they turn red, orange, or yellow. Perhaps there are buds, or blooms on the trees, and bushes, showing that wonderful fresh lime green of new growth. I get real joy from looking, there is always so much to see.

                     Flowers, crocus, pushing through the earth, is a sure sight of spring.

        Right now, with spring trying to break, there are flowers pushing up through the grass. Yesterday I saw a few carpets of crocus, poking their little pointed noses up to the sky, both purple, and yellow. A carpet of vivid colour, under the bare trees. How they cheer the heart, and gladden the eye. Larger banks of daffodils are showing through, the green shoots growing straight, and already quite tall. There are few yellow blooms yet, not even the buds, fattening, ready to burst. Yet the promise is there, and I am looking forward to seeing those bright yellow skirts soon. 

        Of course, as a careful driver, you see a few crazy moves on the roads about you. I don't  let it faze me though, I am prepared, defensive driving is what you need. It's a normal response, in both Australia, and New Zealand. Along with arriving at your destination, having enjoyed the trip, universal that one. That doesn't mean I'm a Sunday driver though. No, I'm fast enough, but as my Father used to say, "a fast driver, is a dangerous driver". Something I wholeheartedly agree with.

         Living on the coast, I can set off in almost any direction to find somewhere pretty, or interesting  to eat. Over the course of a couple of years, you find the places that serve what you want, how you want. I have a batch of favourite places. I don't look for large meals, I like tasty snacks, good food, at a good price. The ambience of the place has to be right as well. The people friendly, the service good. The chairs comfortable, the place kept warm if it's cold, or space outside in the sun, if it's warm. I don't mind the tables being crowded together, I know people have to be able to make a profit. They need to get as many people in as they can. I don't expect to find everything I like in evry establishment, two, out of three is good. Or, even two, out of four. Some places, are better in the cold, some in the warmth, but I know them all. Too much you think, too many likes, and dislikes. Why not, if you enjoy something, make sure you make the most of it, I say!

                   The yacht harbour Ramsgate. With the cafes across, at the buildings 

          I can eat OK in a few places in Ramsgate, along by the harbour. Opposite the yacht harbour itself actually, where it's possible to watch the crowded water, with it's forest of masts. It's lovely when the sun shines, glinting on the white paintwork, and glass of the boats. You can sit outside, under cover of the awning, feeling the sun, or the breeze. Have a coffee, take the air, before going for stroll along the esplanade, or by the beach,  a mere couple of steps away. It's nice when it's cold too, huddling inside, watching the world through the large windows. There are half a dozen or more very different places along there, not far from the water. From a typical fish & chip shop, of reasonable quality, a 'Peters' fish shop, to a strange 'Belgium' cafe, with interesting food, which have some good, fresh fish dishes, and sadly, uncomfortable, mismatched furniture. A large, but gloomy place to sit, late night too, if you're a night owl. To a more traditional cafe/restaurant of 'Miles', which was once my clear favourite. Good selections of food, the breakfast dishes are good, as are the sausages, and the lunchtime 'specials'. The decor is nice, but is still trying to find its feet after going through a change of ownership last year. Mostly with common mistakes made by the staff. The other places, are something between these two opposites. Plenty of choice for any taste, regardless, and all welcoming in their own fashion. In any, I can sit for as long as I want, I can write on my iPad, read, or just people watch. Always a fascinating pastimes, and always grist for the mill. Most have Internet connections too, although not all are good connections. Still, the harbour is the place to go, nowhere further into town has reasonable food. Although there are some interesting ones around, I need to investigate again. As things change.

                         The friendly interior of the Albion hotel, Broadstairs.

           Or, if I head for Broadstairs, there are four, or five places to eat. Again all close to each other, this time, on the cliff front, overlooking the sea. The largest, and no doubt the oldest is 'The Albion Hotel.' A place renowned for hosting several stays by Charles Dickens. It's amazing comfortable, nice staff, wonderful views, but to be honest, mediocre food. With only a couple of dishes more than reasonable. One is a smoked salmon, and cream chees bagel, with rocket. The other, are a variety of reasonable, well filled sandwiches. Sometimes, a 'special' is so bad, it's as if they let someone in the kitchens to experiment.....badly. The  ambiance of the place, makes up for it, however. It's a pleasant place to spend a couple of hours. The next best is a little place called 'Peens', again on the seafront. There unfortunately, the chairs, are hard. Old fashioned wood, but the eager to please staff, and the quality of all the food, and it's prices, are excellent. You can eat the special very cheaply, or a wonderful Sunday lunch, or any number of far more unusual dishes, than can be found elsewhere. I like things put together with flair, or with some imagination. Many of the unusual combinations change daily, or they did until last week, when new menus were introduced. I am now, officially worried as to the end result. There are other places in that vicinity, an Italian, excellent food, but expensive, and unfriendly service. A little cafe on the corner, another pub, but the cafe, too crowded, with staff more important than the customers, the other pub, too expensive for the food quality.

                Inside the Sir Stanley Grey pub. Pegwell. Belongs Pegwell hotel across the road.

            There are many others scattered about the region. An excellent pub in Pegwell, called 'The sir Stanley Grey' with food served at all times, good quality, good prices, friendly staff, menu changes slightly every day. Whilst the pub next door to it, serves good enough food, but cannot be relied upon to be serving any! They stick to outdated hours, and always seem to be closed for food, or on the verge of closing. What good is that to anyone, and it more than annoying. Certainly no good for me, I can't be bothered to keep trying. Then, Sandwich has the best fish,& chips in the area, called 'Papas'. Overlooking the river,  and too small to sit in comfort, and too old fashioned, but take away, and you can't go wrong. 

                                The French deli, The No Name cafe. Sandwich.

There is a upper floor French cafe called 'No Name' in the middle of town. Being over a wonderful, if expensive deli it's well worth a visit. The food is good, but no bargains to be had. Experienced staff, but no warmth of welcome. A little too professional for comfort. I don't think they would welcome me sitting there too long either. The only other one worth mentioning is the big pub, 'The Bell'. It's old fashioned comfort, in a modern setting. Very much a hotel first, and restaurant, and bar second. For snacks, try the very comfortable hotel lounge, rather than the dining room. It's a nice experience, no one bothers you, but food is good but not cheap. It's rather special occasion stuff.  At least I can sit in the lounge, or the bar end of the restaurant as long as I like.

                           The comfortable,  Bell Hotel, Sandwich.

          There you have it, a quick taste, so to speak, of a few eateries. It would take you longer than a two week holiday to explore even those few. But it's fun trying. Or, maybe it's not, because if, being England, you hit a whole series of very bad eateries, then it ruins, really ruins going out to eat altogether. I find England has a long way to go, in terms of gastronomy, yet we have so many wonderful little towns,an d villages to explore. May they catch up, soon.