Cafe Society

Thankfully it was back to a beautiful start to the day today - with sun and blue skies. We've had so much grey and gloomy weather recently but when the winter sun has appeared it really has been sublime and lovely to behold. It just instantly raises your spirits.
It was bitterly cold though when he headed out for our run so it was back to double layers and gloves but it was a price worth paying to be out in such glorious conditions.
We didn't feel like heading out as far as yesterday so instead we had an easier morning and then took the short hop back over to Upper Upnor. Of course it had to include a pint at The Tudor Rose, where the landlady gave us her usual warm and effusive welcome.
We then strolled down the village's cobbled High Street and on to the shores of the River Medway, where a high tide was almost lapping out our feet. It was fantastic sight with the water sparkling in the sunlight and views across to St Mary's island with its twin towers, which you can see in my first extra (it looked so good I thought it needed a frame - so this image was taken through the top of a handily placed litter bin!).
After we'd completed a circuitous walk around the village we made the decision to head to Rochester rather than straight home and make the best of the resplendent weather.
We ambled through the castle grounds, where my brother wanted to try out some new photographic techniques, and then along the High Street. I managed to capture my main image of the al fresco patrons sitting outside a cafe down a side street - the light was just perfect and I was particularly pleased that I managed to capture the waitress, who was wearing an apron almost the same colour as the cafe's awning just as she was looking over her shoulder, in the doorway.
My second extra is of a shop window back on the High Street (you can probably tell from my journal that I'm rather partial to a shop window!). I just liked all the different elements - from the colours and patterns to our little moustachioed friend in the foreground. I even managed to squeeze in the reflection of a passer-by as part of another attempt at layering!