Ramsgate then the beach

It’s another sunshiny day but with warnings of thunderstorms and torrential rain.

Harbour Street

We walked up a very quiet Harbour Street. The shops were opening but so far without any sign of customers.

Albion Street

We continued along an even quieter Albion Street (not even the shops were showing signs of life).

Costa Coffee

We settled in our usual (well, it is our third visit!) corner in Costa for coffee and croissants.

Aboard the 37

We next caught a number 37 bus.

Westwood Cross

The bus brought us to Westwood Cross, a large shopping complex. We have visited it in the past but today we were just changing buses here.

In Ramsgate

We left the bus in Ramsgate and started looking around with lunch in mind.

Abbots Hill

This stepped street is called Abbots Hill. Fortunately, we were not climbing up there today!

Star Nergis
Photo by Tigger

We chose the Star Nergis Cafe for lunch. We have eaten here on previous visits and knew it was good.

High Street

After lunch we went for a ramble. Ramsgate, like Margate, has a pedestrian-only High Street.

Guildford Lawn

These fine bow-fronted houses are in a street with an equally posh name: Guildford Lawn. These Regency-style houses (they remind me of Brighton where there are many such) were actually built in 1842. The site did in fact also include a lawn but that has been buried under buildings. They are now Grade II listed.

Ramsgate Public Library

We were looking for the public library and found it. Built in the early 1904, it is one of those funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Public library interior

The interior is modernised as is only to be expected, I suppose. (Update: See this helpful comment.) It was pleasant to sit here for a while out of the heat of the sunshine. Despite modernisation, the library is Grade II listed.

Stained-glass window

We went upstairs (27 steps – the lift was broken) and found this colourful stained-glass window commemorating the library fire. It is by John Corley with the participation of local schools.

The upper floor

We had a look round the upper floor which, as is common in libraries today, has tables for study.

The Old Fire Station

Continuing on, we passed the old fire station. Peering through the glass, I saw a table tennis table where there would once have been a smartly polished fire engine… The building is now Grade II listed.

Caffè Nero

As it was time for refreshment, and to rest from the heat, we went into Caffè Nero.

The harbour from the bus

We went down to the harbour to catch a bus back to Broadstairs. I intended to photograph the harbour but the bus was already at the stop and ready to depart. The best I could do was a grab shot through the bus window!

Serene Place

Back in Broadstairs, we passed this lane called Serene Place. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? I wonder whether it is as serene as the name suggests.

Ice cream shop

We had been meaning to have ice cream (well, you have to, at the seaside, don’t you?) but each time we had left it too late and found the shops closed. This evening we found one still open. We have had our ice cream and can tick it on the list! (No picture, because we had to eat it quickly as it started melting in the hot weather!)

On the beach

As it’s our last evening here (at least, on this trip) we thought we should spend some more time on the beach. Folding chairs are provided with the apartment, as I rxplained. We spent a couple of hours watching the sea, the people and the gulls.

Tigger on the beach

Here is a picture of Tigger enjoying the beach!

Gull on the beach

As we sat still and quiet, the gulls came quite close to us, which was a special pleasure. Evening when resting, they were alert and would fly off suddenly if they saw a chance of food but while they rested nearby, we could enjoy their company.

We eventually returned to our apartment (just across the road from the beach), where we made tea and had a little rest before supper pleasantly rounds off the day.