Northern Chief at New Romney

As temperatures were forecast to be 29c it was an ideal day for a swim in the sea at Dymchurch. And so it proved, the water was lovely, only slightly warmer than at Roseisle on the Moray Firth a couple of weeks ago.

We arrived an hour before high tide, enjoyed a coffee and cheese scone at our new favourite “Bucket and Spade” cafe before a really fine dip in the sea with the aroma of fish and chips wafting on the breeze.

People watching was the order of the day, soaking up the seaside atmosphere with water sparkling in the sun moderated by a gentle sea breeze.

Suitably rested we took our customary walk to New Romney, extending it to the RHDR station for a cup of tea and a shared sandwich.

By the time for the return journey the tide was out leaving a vast extent of beach to enjoy with a cooling sea breeze, blue skies and bright sunshine.

Inevitably, having visited the RHDR, today’s blip is of one of the railway's magnificent engines: Northern Chief, built in 1925 as it awaits to depart from New Romney with the last train of the day to Dungeness.

As an extra I’ve included a beach shot as I liked the simplicity and emptiness that it portrays.

After arriving back in Dymchurch we drove down to the Pilot at Dungeness, our regular place for fish and chips. We resisted the temptation, almost, as I had smoked haddock fish cakes with chips and Susan had the Fisherman’s Pie (he was very good about it)