Broadening Horizons In Broadstairs

Today was time for a trip back to the seaside with my brother -  on this occasion to Broadstairs in North Kent. It was actually inspired by a passage in the latest book I'm reading called "Small Pleasures" by Clare Chambers, where some of the early scenes are set in Broadstairs. This made me realise we hadn't visited there for maybe a couple of years. It also helped that it was gloriously sunny winter's day with beautiful blue skies - perfect for taking some shots!
The last time we had been there it had been in the height of summer when the streets were crowded, the car parks full and there seemed to be quite a lot of litter on the beaches. Today was the opposite - the town was very quiet, it was easy to get parked and the beaches were spotless. It looked absolutely stunning in the pale winter light.
It was also perishingly cold but we were well wrapped in several layers including jumpers, hoodies, jackets and jogging bottoms under our jeans and throughly enjoyed our walk out along the beach and back, where I took all today's images - apart from the last shot, which was taken in the town's streets outside a fish and chip shop (what's not to like about a large yellow fisherman holding a giant fish!). We felt so lucky to be in such a gorgeous spot on such a beautiful day.
By the time we had finished our walk along the beach we were in need of some sustenance so headed for Morelli's - an ice cream parlour with spectacular views overlooking Viking Bay. It was founded as far back as 1932 and is still run by the same family today. It was a bit too cold for an ice cream so we settled for a cappuccino and a large slice of honeycomb cheesecake each. The interior of the parlour is like something out of the 1950's with neon signs in the windows and candy floss coloured seating.
We then took a walk around the town it's self just as the light was beginning to dim a little. We felt sad to leave (always a good sign of a great place to visit) but it was time to head home.
On the way back we stopped for a quick drink in a pub in the hilltop medieval village (it dates back at least as far as the 15th Century) of Chilham - it even has it's own castle! The pub was very quiet too, there we only a couple of other customers, who appeared to be quite well heeled, but I must admit I enjoyed eavesdropping on their conversations - which included making an international deal over the phone, complaining about the cost of running a 1960 vintage Mercedes (about the same cost as sending a child to private school apparently!) and how they were sponsoring two Christmas trees in the local church!
All in all a great day out!