We went on a cycling and swimming trek to the coast. Taking the train from Denmark Hill, we took our bikes on board and travelled to Birchington-on-sea, where we joined the Viking Trail along the coastal path, at Minnis bay.

We set out towards the two Reculver towers, and stopped off along the way for a pack lunch and our first swim, at Minnis beach.

There was quite a lot of Wreck strewn on the beaches and the coastal path, infiltrating the sea air with the familiar dried-out seaweed smell. There was a certain amount in the water and the sea was brown with sand particles. The overwhelming heat overcame any reservations about aesthetic considerations.

Swimming was deliciously cool after the cycling in the beaming sun, and it was such a relief to enjoy the gentle waves and the salty taste of the water.

Again we set out along the coast, with blue sea and blue sky, and idyllic Kent countryside all along the way. The pathway was perfect for cycling and as we sailed through the hot, still air, everything seemed to be right with the world, and glory surrounded us. The time passed quickly and the distances were covered with ease.

I had a tumble on the bike- took my eyes of the road and ended up flying over the edge of the road. Fortunately there was a soft, lush bank of grass to land on, and the bike didn’t land on top of me…

We made it to the Reculver towers, examined the area, and set back along the coast.

Stopping at Birchington and other point along the pathway, to have a dip in the sea and a swim along a part of the coast. It is a truly invigorating outing, and the beautiful atmosphere helps the body to do more than it thinks it can.

The roadway wound on toward Margate and yet another unique and imaginative coastal view, reminiscent of the, scene in the “Lord of the Rings” where dead people lurked just below the water surface… the white chalky rocks skirting around dark mounds of seaweed, sat still and silent as the sea water basked in these coastal waters, and the glassy, smooth sky reflected the underworld…