Tree hair

I cycled from Canterbury to the coast at Deal today, which Fred tells me is around 26 miles, although it didn't feel so long. I think this is because there was only one wee hill and the rest was flat countryside. We also had a lot of tea and cake stops.

At the start of the adventure, we came across this fierce lady with her hair budding with leaves. She's called "Bulkhead", which is descriptive if not flattering.

The rest of the run took us through green woodland gloriously carpeted with bluebells, rolling green countryside, orchards bursting into blossom, and old, old towns. We took a peep at the 16th-century town hall at Fordwich, Kent's smallest town. It used to be the port of Canterbury until the river silted up. It's now very much land-bound. We encountered some more history later on at Wantsum, where a Tudor barn was still standing (well, leaning with some help). Then, Richborough Roman Fort came into view. This was occupied by the Romans for more than 350 years at the site where they landed in 43CE. it's quite a thought. it's also where Watling Street went through a massive Triumphant Arch, of which only the foundation remains.

Fully immersed in history, we headed on to the coast at Deal, where I swapped sandals for sock and shoes, put on a cardie and raided Sainsburys for a train picnic. The hot sun has left the south for a little while - it's got cooler out there. However, I don't mind since it's back to work tomorrow.