Dungeness

After a super lazy weekend last weekend, I spent this weekend traveling. On Friday I went to Dungeness, part way between Dover and Brighton. I parked at New Romney and got the mini steam train from there to Dungeness. It's a cute little train, almost like a toy, but can move pretty fast.

Mini steam train.

Apparently health and safety isn't a priority. They didn't care if you left the doors open, which as the weather was pretty hot, was a good thing.

Who needs a door?

Dungeness is a strange place, very Mad Max. It is set between 2 old power stations in a very desert like area, full of singles.

Mad Max land.

There are a couple of lighthouses near the beach and train station. Unfortunately it is closed Mondays and Fridays. Of course.

Old lighthouse.

Path through the waste land

To the beach

There were a couple of schools groups but for the most part, if you were willing to walk a bit, I had the place to myself. So lunch on the beach. (And a nap.)

Beach!

Lighthouses and power station

Dungeness is almost like a grave yard. There are a bunch of old shipping containers and old boats lying along the beach. It's pretty creepy but makes for some good photos.

I spent a few hours wondering around taking photos. There were quite a few other single women doing to the same, which was a surprise. I am usually the only one. The train back was a different one which an interesting name.

"Doctor Syn" train. 

On the way back I got one of the open carriages (no bother about even windows). Though I regretted it when the sun went in and was glad to get to my warm car.

On the way to my hotel I stopped at Chapel Down vineyards but forgot to take any photos. They are supposed to give you 3 free samples but the guy was bored so I got to try all of the them! :) And then had to sit in the car for a while. They were very tasting (though I wasn't impressed with the one that Will and Kate apparently chose for their wedding) and picked up a few for home. I did pick up a box of what I thought was cider, until I got it home and realised it was beer. Well, at least my brother-in-law will be happy when he gets them.

View from my hotel outdoor seating

My hotel, a little place in Capel-le-Ferne, had a set of benches just over the road with a fabulous view, so I set with a glass of cider for a while until lit got too cold. Not many more chances to sit in the sun this year.

Foraging for an Oyster feast

The past few weeks have been busy - a visit home, meals with family, drinks with friends, wine tasting. I just haven't taken any photos. 

This weekend I went to Deal in Kent. I was planning on going to the beach on Saturday but it took my 5 hours to do a 2 hr trip thanks to the M26 and M20 being closed due to the collapsed bridge. So in the end I gave up on the beach idea and found a vineyard near my hotel, chilled out for  bit and then just went to the hotel and napped. 

But I was up early Sunday morning, up to near Margate to go foraging. I brought a voucher for a foraging experience. Thankfully the weather was lovely. Along with another couple, Lucia took us out and we went looking for mussels and oysters!

Headed for the beach

All to ourselves.

She showed us which mussels to pick, how to find oysters and what seaweeds were the best to eat. We filled up a bucket and a few strong bags full of goodies.

Mussels.

Hunting 

On the sea front.

Checking an oyster

Digging them up.

Oyster.

crab pretending to be a oyster, hiding in its shell

My favourite seaweed is called pepper dolce and is a little feathery thing which grows on sea walls. I can't describe the taste but it's amazing. We used it as a herb later.

Pepper dolce.

Good for seaweed crisps. 

After a few hours we had found enough for a massive feast and headed back to Deal to cook it up at Lucia's house. The house itself was amazing. So cute. She forages full time as has loads of home made goodies everywhere.

Yum!

Goodies.

After sweet onion soup and seaweed to warm up (it was sunny but windy and a little chilly), we had steamed mussels with garlic butter and fennel mayo. I found a number of baby crabs hiding in my mussels. So cute. Though now thoroughly steamed. 

Baby crab

We went to the sea front to open the oysters as they are messy. I have opened them before but these were huge and tricky. So we resorted to using a hammer on the shucking knife. But it worked. The ones we picked were a lot bigger than you buy and definitely a mouth full! But a glass of prossecco helped. :) No pearls but maybe next time. 

Opening them

Giant oyster

Bottoms up.

 A lot of people stopped and asked where we got them but it's a secret! :) We feasted! You would pay a fortune for these in a restaurant. But we did get very messy at the same time.

Half our feast shells

They used to be blue. Now oyster juice coloured.

We also cooked some up back at Lucia's House, which were nicer than I expected. All followed by hot chocolate and apple scones. Which were amazing. To be honest the whole meal and experience was brilliant. If anyone is interested, check out the Wild Kitchen. It is well worth the trip. And the food is to die for.

After the lunch I went for a walk along to beach to walk off some of the food.

Deal beach.

The pier wasn't wood which was disappointing but it was a nice walk.

Pier. 

There were lots of people fishing off the pier but all they seem to be catching was seaweed. :) But they were enjoying it so why not?

Sand pipers.

Start of the white cliffs

Thankfully the drive back was so much better than the drive down. Though the traffic still heading south was crazy. Hopefully it will be sorted out before I head back down there in a few weeks. And when I got home, I had oysters, seaweed crisps and an apple scone for tea. :)