We pop to Peasmarsh shopping at Jempsons. It really was very warm indeed, our supplies include a bag of ice, which becomes one of our regular buys over this holiday. The evening allows us to explore a little, and we discover a handy footpath which gives a fantastic view of Rye, Camber Castle and the sea, which amazingly appears blue!
I manage to take a vixen by surprise and see her at exceptionally close quarters, surprising both her and myself. Later in the evening the first of many hot-air balloons are taking advantage of the still evening. We also get to see fireworks in the valley below. Oddly, we have managed over our years camping seen many displays of fireworks. Steak on the BBQ for tea and despite the heat a good night's sleep.
We are about early on Sunday morning due to the heat. We head for Winchelsea, this is the gridded village with lots to see. We get a personal guide to the church which was good as Richard gave a fiver contribution and was too embarrassed to get change! We located Spike Milligan's grave with the Gaelic for "I told you I was ill".
We take a quick trip to the beach for a paddle, then back to the village for a cool lager. We spotted an Aldi on the way home and picked up the Austins (Pimms for careful shoppers!)and trims. We then make a mistake and walk into boiling hot Rye. An olde world town with cobbled streets and alleys. We could not cool down despite sitting in the shade at The Ypres Tower Pub. Hot walk back to the campsite and then a cold glass of fizzy and fire up the barbecue. Sausages for tea with a little music, using the binoculars we locate landmarks and yet more balloon flights up again this evening.
Very hot the next morning after the chores (emptying the loo was a trek in the heat) we look at Camber and Dungeness. This was not very inspiring so we cross Romney Marsh stopping at Lydd for an ice cream then on to Tenterden. Waitrose shopping was very nice as the store was very cool indeed. Spatch-cock chicken for dinner.
Tuesday we visit Bodiam Castle. It seems you can wander the grounds on paths without having to pay the admission. This allowed us to do a great little geocache high up behind the castle. The views are great. The castle moat is home to numerous carp, who are languidly moving on the surface. We purchase sea bass and scallops at Rye Bay Fish shop and cook up outside. Evenings are the only time of day when we become active. The temperatures have been soaring to 33 degrees centigrade.
Wednesday we head off in the car for Beachy Head and calling on the way at Alfriston, which is a pretty but busy village with an attractive church and river. Beachy Head was a little tiny bit cooler and we have an ice cream and check out the views of the cliffs and lighthouse below.
Mini burgers for tea and fresh, shiny and very sweet Kent cherries. We get the awning down, in the evening breeze. We say goodbye to our little horse "naybour" Toppy who with the owner's permission, we have been buying extra apples for. An apple a day keeps the Veterinary away!
We journey to Pluckley in a thunderstorm and the weather is a bit fresher. We pitch up quickly and head off to Waitrose for supplies. We have a very nice spot at the campsite, with our own private garden and a little tree for shade. The best thing though is the view of the beautiful Kent Weald. We walk via the orchards and vineyards to Little Chart, finding a few geocaches on the way. We have a little drink at the pub. Yet another barbecue for tea, and eat outside in our lovely pitch.
Friday is a sunny windy day and we had to Smarden for some geocaching and manage to, at last, find the farm used in the famous TV series The Darling Buds of May. Back at Pluckley we discover the locals school sports day is on and we watch a couple of races. Glastonbury is on TV and we have steak from the butchers shop two doors down. We noticed a fire whipping up the adjacent garden getting out of control in the hot wind, but all is well when the house owners in a panicked state, run to get the hosepipe out!
Saturday we take a walk to Egerton and after a bit of light blustery rain have a drink in a lovely pub. Well earned nap and sausage and onions for tea, followed by being blown away by The Foo Fighters at Glasto.
On Sunday, sadly our last day, we headed off to Little Chart through the orchards for Sunday lunch. I hurt my foot on the way home but manage to hobble back. We watch a little of the village cricket match and nearly got hit by a six which was coming right at us! The evening entertainment is watching Ed Sheeran for the final set at Glastonbury.
We have loved Pluckley & want to come back. George who runs the site was formerly the village butcher. Such a kind man, with lots of helpful local information, and he lent me his large scale local map, His friend Cliffy arranges a fund raising car treasure hunt each year in April, so we are going to try to make it a date.
