FLORRIE’ S SEPTEMBER DOG DAYS BY FLORRIE, iK’ S RESIDENT COCKAPOO
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Hello my back-to-routine pals! |
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RECULVER
FOR SOLO EXPLORERS
Exploring Kent’ s east coast, it has to be said that Margate is the perfect place for solo travellers to enjoy the quiet company of the sea and explore Margate Old Town( visitthanet. co. uk), which is known for its independent boutiques and trendy food spots. Here, you can discover The Margate Bookshop( themargatebookshop. com)- located in the Old Town, it houses underrepresented authors and translated fiction along with a number of classic and modern reads.
While in Margate, exploring by foot can lead you to the Turner Contemporary( turnercontemporary. org)- set on Margate’ s seafront, it is one of the UK’ s leading art galleries, with a rolling programme of historic and contemporary art celebrating artists in the local community.
Heading south to the seaside town of Hythe, the Eltham Valley Way( explorekent. org) walk is a 22.5-mile hike across the Kent Downs National Landscape. The walk takes you from Hythe to Canterbury, passing through the Seabrook Valley. You will walk through Paraker Wood, dating back to the 17th-century, hosting a
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© English Heritage
variety of wildlife, with regular sightings of nightingales and sparrowhawks.
Close by to the woodland is Seabrook Stream, an area recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest; the stream powers a number of local corn and paper mills, while its varying ecology helps support the local ecology with invertebrates and breeding birds relying on the stream to survive.
A new addition to Kent’ s coastal cycling trails, the Oyster Bay Trail( explorekent. org) is a natural extension to the Viking Coastal Trail, taking cyclists on a 17-mile route from Whitstable to Margate, stretching across Whitstable to Reculver Country Park( explorekent. org). To get to the Northern Sea Wall, the Oyster Bay Trail continues to Minnis Bay and then finishes in Margate. Througout the route, you can enjoy sea views of the Thames Estuary transitioning into the North Sea.
While on the Oyster Bay Trail, you can stop off along the way at local food spots including The Oyster Shed( thelobstershack. co. uk), a boutique oyster bar based in Whitstable. A local favourite, here, you can enjoy delicious locally sourced oysters from Whitstable Bay.
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September is a gentle comedown from summer; still warm, but calmer and far more civilised. This month is all about sociable strolls and wagging tails, so I’ m heading to Paws in the Park, Kent’ s much-loved dog festival( pawsinthepark. net).
Held each September at the Kent Showground in Detling, Paws in the Park is basically a day out designed entirely with dogs in mind. Think fun dog shows, agility taster sessions, hoopers, canicross, gundog scurries, expert demonstrations, shopping stalls and more treats than you can shake a lead at. It’ s busy, yes, but wonderfully joyful.
September weather is ideal for events like this- warm enough to enjoy, cool enough to cope. Better still, dogs go free, making it a brilliant value day out for the whole family. There are hundreds of exhibitors to browse, live arena entertainment throughout the day and plenty of opportunities to discover new toys, treats, accessories and services. Whether you’ re a seasoned showgoer or it’ s your first visit, you’ ll find something to get tails wagging.
Leads are essential, manners are encouraged and enthusiasm is guaranteed. Even if you don’ t take part in the activities, simply soaking up the atmosphere and meeting fellow dog lovers is half the fun.
Pack water, pace yourself and prepare for compliments. Trust me, someone is bound to tell you what a good dog you are … And honestly, they’ re probably right.
Until next month,
Florrie |
with Florrie |