27 things...Eat Oysters

On our last evening in Whitstable, we also crossed a target off my 27 things list.  27 things I want to do before I turn 27.  We tried oysters.  There was a lovely little oyster bar in Whitstable.  It's on the High Street and you can't miss it, the whole building is painted pink with the name on the side too.  The usual thing seems to be to order half a dozen but as a first attempt, we ordered one each.  We put on some lemon juice and went for it.  We were advised that you can chew it and don't have to just swallow it down so we did.  All in all, it was more normal than expected.  It wasn't amazingly tasty, it was very salty, but it would make a nice starter, I certainly couldn't eat them as a meal but as a little starter, I really enjoyed it and am glad I did something new.

Whitstable

We've had a wonderful couple of days in Whitstable.  It was really nice to break up the driving with a stop over in the south of England.  We arrived in the town at 4am on Monday morning following a hell of a drive and slept for nearly three hours in a carpark!  We stayed at Flat One, Harbour Street.  The flat was wonderful.  It was such a home from home with the owner, Julie, putting in all the perfect little touches, wine, tea coffee, pain au chocolate, fresh flowers...

Julie's Website

Julie also had lots of tips on where to go and what to do.  On the first day we rested for the morning before taking a walk along the beach, fish and chip lunch and a quiet afternoon before a delicious dinner at Zizzi's.  I really want to give them a big mention because they are the only restaurant I have found so far, and a chain at that, who do gluten free pasta.  We went there for dinner both nights and the food was delicious - highly recommended!

Zizzi's in Whitstable 

On our full day there, we made an early start and hired some bikes from another local business for a tour to Canterbury.  It was a fifteen mile round trip, and I was really proud of myself, never having cycled in England for fifteen years, for making the journey, although some of the hills after the nice flat landscape in Northern Germany nearly killed me!  Canterbury was lovely, a very nice town but as usual for the South of England and the tourist industry, the cathedral was too expensive.  Canterbury also led to a break on my no book buying for a year ban...  Well, how could I go to Canterbury, never having read the Canterbury Tales?  As long as I have read it and all my other unread books this year, I will be happy.  

We also bumped into a German school group, a Spanish school group and an English school group.  I can't believe we drove for so many hours and still didn't escape German school pupils!  A final note on Canterbury is the amazing farmers market we visited as we left.  Absolutely amazing fresh, local products, everything from wine to meat and fish.  If only Nico had had his spice collection there in Whitstable, Zizzi's would not have had a chance!  It was called the Good Shed - worth a visit every time!