On the Viking Cycle Trail

A glorious day today. Susan suggested we cycle one of our favourite routes following the Viking Trail from Reculver on the North Kent Coast the along the coast via Birchington, Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Pegwell Bay. Then inland through Minster, Monkton and St Nicholas at Wade back to Reculver and a well earned pint (or half in Susan's case) at the St Ethelbert's pub.

This is a lovely route, mostly off road along the promanade and shore defences until you get to Ramsgate. Here we've just set off from Reculver. We set places to stop for refreshments, like at the West Bay cafe for coffee and cake and Broadstairs for prawns and chips. We did things a little differently this time, having coffee and baguette at West Bay and missing out on the prawns etc at Broadstairs as we were still full. At Pegwell Bay, near the replica Viking ship I had a Mr Whippy "99" but Susan opted to a tea.

In Ramsgate we called in at a house which I thought was where a school friend of over 40 years now lived. I haven't seen him since the 1980's but some correspondence with a local newspaper in Shropshire encouraged me to track him down so with aid of the internet I found his address. Today we called in. It was the right address, but they were out! Away on holiday their neighbours said. I left a note with my contact details. We'll see if he makes contact.

Cycling today was a rare treat as on this occasion the wind was from the west pushing us along the North Kent coast. There's many a time we've cycled into the teeth of a strong wind towards Margate but not today. Even on the way back it didn't seem too bad.

As we were arriving back at Reculver I spotted a duck on the sea, followed in formation swimming by 10 duckings. It looked like a mallard. What sight. I wasn't aware that mallards took to the sea like that. Perhaps it wasn't a mallard.