Rye and the Marshes

Friday started dry and bright and we returned to look at Rye which is one of the ancient Cinque Ports established to defend us from French invasions. The old part is at the top of the hill, it has a castle overlooking the now receded coastline and an imposing church. The surrounding cobbled streets are lined with attractive old cottages and listed buildings and descend steeply to the river and small harbour below. Rye appears to attract lots of French and Dutch tourists.

The afternoon became very murky with drizzle which seemed quite approriate for the tour of the Romney Marshes. We gave up and headed north towards Canterbury to find a farmers market, which Rosemary had heard about from a rare breeds farmer in a shop! It was at Challock close to the very attractive Kings Wood nature reserve, which was absolutely full of bluebells. We stopped briefly for coffee break in a leafy lay-by, just a shame the sun was not shining to complete the scene.    

We arrived in Canterbury late afternoon and booked in to the C&CC site for a three night weekend. It has a regular bus service into town right outside the entrance.