From Regretful Romney To Captivating Camber

Hurrah! My prayers were finally answered (see previous blip 10/02/2024) and today was a day of sparkling winter sunshine and blue skies. My brother has been struggling quite a bit lately with the stresses of commuting and work so with the improvement in the weather I was determined that we should get out and about for the day and suggested a trip out to the Romney Marsh for its wide open landscapes and, of course, the chance of a blip or two.
The Romney Marsh is a sparsely populated wetland that covers over 100 square miles across Kent and East Sussex and is criss-crossed with numerous waterways, with some areas lying below sea-level.
Our original intention was to head as far as the village of Appledore once we had negotiated the turning and twisting country roads. The village itself was actually originally a coastal town and port with river access but following the silting up of the River Rother and its eventual diversion in the 13th Century it now resides several miles inland. Unfortunately, once we had stopped and parked the car and walked around the village we discovered everything, apart for the village shop, was closed until the middle of the week. I hadn't really taken into account it was a Monday in the middle of winter and was feeling a tad regretful that I'd let my brother down in my choice of destination.
My brother then suggested that instead of turning back we should head for the coast as it wasn't really that far away. I must admit I wasn't initially that keen but as it was such a gorgeous day I realised that he was absolutely spot on.
So when we came across a sign for Camber Sands our decision was made. I'd been driving for some time by then so we decided to take a short break at Broomhill Sands right next to the sea wall for a quick walk and our first sight of the sea and this is where my first two images were taken. My main image was taken from a wooden walkway which straddles the nearby sea defences, known as the Lydd Ranges, back towards a glimpse of a whitewashed cottage with its red window frames.
The first extra is of the top of a wonderfully eclectically adorned garden wall of a cottage just across the road.
After that bracing interlude it was time for the final push on to Camber Sands. It was so great to arrive and finally get to see the sand, sea and blue skies all together. Thankfully the car park was still only charging its winter rates (it can be up to £30 a day in the summer!!) and as soon as we set foot on the beach and viewed those wide open coastal horizons we instantly felt captivated again, as we always are when we visit here, and could feel its recuperative powers washing over us.
It just felt wonderful to be there and see everyone just enjoying the themselves with so few distractions. There is only a small beachside cafe and bar and literally nothing else. My other extras were all taken from this viewpoint - the third extra is of the colourful ice cream and cookie inspired advertising banners against that glorious sky, the fourth is our view from the terrace where we had our al-fresco pints (of course we did!) looking across the beach to the human and canine passers-by and the last image shows the silhouetted figure of my brother as he crouches down to get one of his shots for the day just above the sign for the Barefoot Beach Bar. I hope you had a good day bro'.