London is a very claustrophobic place when it's tremendously scorching and there is no where to swim! I tried, I walked for 2 hours in Hampstead Heath and was confronted by lines that would take longer to get through than the trip to Mars. So after a quick look at the World Wide Web. I found a cute looking beach, with real sand. Thank goodness for mid week cheap tickets!
With each stop further and further away from London, I could feel my lungs getting lighter. They were Celebrating the lack of pollution in the air. Coming up to a place called Faversham, there was an announcement saying that there are no working toilets on board. The train will be stopping for an extra five minutes for those who want to call nature. Giggles were shared with other London leaving passengers!
I left the Margate station and was greeted by a wave of warmth. My vision was blurred by warm shades contrasted with a striking blue sky. With togs, or swimming costume, on I was ready to soak in the rays. I had sufficiently warmed up, mainly with my excitement of finally touching some ocean water! I heard squeals and complaints of weakness "its so cold" "I can't do it' - Weaklings! It was the perfect temperature. I swam, I splashed, I avoided sea weed, and made sure I was not the furthest out with the purpose of not being a sharks lunch.
Sunbathing time, blocked up of course. The soundtrack was Margate's version of Classic Hits. Abba and Michael Jackson can never go wrong. I must have dozed off, for I was sharply awoken by a very strange sound. I looked up to find a sea gull in very close proximity doing a very strange dance? I looked around to find myself surrounded by gulls, absolutely terrifying. I threw some stones and they were gone. Later on I heard that this was normal and the first thing that locals do when they arrive on the beach is collect stones to save for gull throwing. Good move.
Time for a second swim. Still as rejuvenating as the last. It was nearly time to go home, but not until I had some sweet gelato! A large serving of Coconut. Yum, just yum. I sat and watched the beach from the furthest end to embrace the pairing of sand and sea. Something that has been a stranger to me for many, many months. The gelato was briskly melting, telling me to hurry up. I can't let ice cream make me miss another train!
I hopped back on the train to go and meet my Lars for a cultured evening of Shakespeare. A Midsummer Night's Dream, where one of the cast members is ragingly sloshed. Very entertaining!
Even though it was a quick trip to Margate, it was well worth it. I shall be back. Next time with a side order of a Tall Lars Shake!
Labels: UK 2016