RSPB Reserve, Dungeness

It was the greyist of days, low cloud, fog, mizzly rain. So took Marion to the end of the world in Kent, Dungeness to the RSPB Bird Reserve and to glimpse, in the gathering gloom the eclectic mix of buildings, homes, shacks, fishermen and boats that populate the shingle banks and ridges hereabouts. All presided over by the looming presence of the nuclear powerstation.

This place has an undefinable air. Fascinating, erie, Dickensian, a desert, isolated, yet a place that is valued and protected. And it has the Pilot public house which serves excellent fish and chips and that was our destination after we'd had a quick glimpse of the reserve, walked out across the boardwalk to the sea's edge on this farthest south eastern corner of the UK. We we as far south and east as you could get and at that moment and looking when you looked north and west the whole population of the country was in front of you.

By way of a complete contrast we travelled then to Canterbury to see the Christmas lights and visit the Catherdral precinct to view the Nativity that I posted last week. We enjoyed a drink in a pub on the High Street then set off home, via another fish and chip shop to buy some for Doreen back home.

The night was not over as, at 10.30pm I took her back to where she was staying with a friend in Gillingham only to be invited in for a tea, chat and look around her most amazing home. Eccentric yes, unique yes, but wonderful. We left just after midnight. Despite the weather a very good day.