Fast Boats, Long Walks and Winston Churchill..
Who could resist a heady mixture of fast boat rides and historical buildings? Not the Arrow Group.
Fact Panel
Details
Trip Date:
June 2018
Transport:
Audi A6
Accommodation:
'Vigilant' Rented House
Duration:
Five Days
Cost of Trip Per Person:
£510
Video:
Panasonic HD Camera
Rating:
Excellent
Members Attending
Rye Trivia
County
East Sussex
Population:
9100
Known For:
Lifeboats, Harbour, Castles, Spike Milligan.
Where is Rye
Day One: Tuesday 12th June
A five piece unit assembled themselves at Agardsley Court ready for take off. First stop Oxford services for 'coffee & cake' and then on some more to the East Sussex town of Rye where the group thought they had booked accommodation. Sadly that was a two mile walk away in Rye Harbour. The first square meal is at Ye Olde Bell Inn in the town centre, a joint most remembered for the sticky tables. This was followed by an initial look at the house, a 3 storied affair that had an overpowering smell of oil downstairs. Only 1 bathroom made for some near misses. The first evening saw us sample the local Inkerman Arms, although the owner told us that he was shutting it next month and moving on. The group were about to acquaint themselves with finding the basics in this neck of the woods. The 2 mile walk became a bone of contention even early on.
At least a hearty breakfast is close at hand at the Bosun's Bite by the water which runs very quickly past this point. The day's activities are centrered around the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch railway which leaves from just under Dungeness Power Station (so Mark is happy for the day). They didn’t have a hatpin for the power station so he opts for an animal instead. We arrive early and with every second to be filled, Chris insists that they go up the lighthouse next door to the station. With that crammed in and money wasted they get aboard the Winston Churchill miniature train. First stop is Dymchurch as Mike wants to visit the St Peter & St Paul church, noted for the fictional smuggler Dr Syn. He has brought his dog collar so he can have his picture taken in character.
Wry Humour!
Chris unknowingly insults the local landlady at the Inkermans. He tells her that we are going into Rye to get some good food. (They serve food there)……I guess it dosnt matter too much as they are leaving in about 3 weeks.
Day Two: Wednesday 13th June
After Dymchurch is a short trip to the end of the line, Hythe. We refuel at the Sunshine cafe in the high street...an appetiser at best. As the sun continues to beat down, our heroes must return to base to be put on their respective charging stations. The evening session covers 5 drinks in 5 different hostelries in Rye & Rye Harbour.
Wry Humour!
So we have arrived at Dungeness 40 mins early and the Clark Brothers are itching to do something as they are impatient. Luck of lucks, there is a Lighthouse right next to the station at a cost of £4. Stuart is on Walter and is unimpressed with this idea and doesn’t want to go up it….therefore it is not Walterable. Quickly Mark is dragged over to Stuart and force fed the idea. Unaware of what has gone before, he says he'll go up, thus giving the Clarks a 3 vote Walterable event. Stuart reluctantly hands over £12 and without so much as a bye, the kids are off out the door to spend it
Day Three: Thursday 14th June
Today's centrepiece is the Norman stronghold known as Leeds Castle. For the first time the group take advantage of Mike's disability by getting him in on a discounted ticket and a free one for his carer (there is a fight for this). Soon as we are through the turnstile, Mike is deposited on a bench to paint a couple of water colours, whilst the rest go off to take on the rough terrain Segways.
This is followed by a tour of the castle with audio descriptors and a sticky bun at the 'Pantry' in the courtyard of the castle. There is also a maze to complete luckily for mixed abilities. Just time for 8 mins more of entertainment at the Battle of Britain show followed by the 15min path back to the car park & gift shop. Then back for DSA. Now bored of the walk, the evening session kicks off with a drive to Rye for food then back to Rye Harbour for the drinking. First the William the Conqueror then walk across to the Inkerman's to finish off there....Oh No!, It's shut! Back to the William the Conqueror!
Wry Humour!
Mark was discussing his new acquisition - a torch with a power rating of 2 million candles. A bit of chat about how annoying it was as he waved it around last night on the way home. Then it came down to the crunch question of how he came to buy it. Stuart's first thought was "well its Mark". Mark told the group he bought it off Amazon, at which point Chris & Stuart were speculating what might have happened…….Just bought a Zebra?...people who bought a zebra also bought a 2 million candle torch..
Day Four: Friday 15th June
So to start and with time to kill sees the group heading into Rye for some general millage. Leave Mike to his own devices and what happens is that he buys a guitar. The rest of the group go around the Ypres Tower (Castle). Next activity is back at Rye Harbour - Full throttle Boat Hire which involves a RHIB trip for 30 mins of thrashing around the sea. Then it’s more full throttle to get over to Dover for an Escape Room. First one we have ever done. Our scenario is World Fair Hotel and proves to be tricky not least because only Matt can see properly in the dingy setting. We take 10 mins getting past reception! And fail the whole thing by 3 mins. With more brain activity than has been exhibited all week, the group are tired and in need of DSA. The evening routine is fairly cemented in and finishes with Ye Olde long walk back to eat the remainder of the fridge
Wry Humour!
The long walk home starts to develop a little more colour, it's now blend of despair and desolation straight. Another Jazz musician is added to the Hall of Fame - 'Impacted Stool' - nominated by Matt , and sits alongside 'Sticky Morass'.
Day Five: Saturday 16th June
It's the final day and The Bosun's offers up its final greasy fry up before its back to the post Arrow diet. A quick tidy up of the house and on to the days only activity, of a visit to Chartwell, the family home of Winston Churchill. This includes a tour of the house, studio and garden. Then alas its time to close the lid on another chapter. With a final stop off at Beaconsfield services on the M40 we return home, older and fatter.
Wry Humour!
At Chartwell and a particularly bored Matt is in the garden with the rest of the group. Mark is taking a greater interest in the planes that are passing over with great frequency. Matt: "I'm so glad we've come here…so we can have a good view of the Gatwick arrivals".
