My daughters are starting to gain confidence on their bikes and so as the weather was simply stunning yesterday we decided on a family bike ride.
The National Cycle Network by Sustrans has over 13,000 miles of walking and cycling routes which include scenic traffic-free paths, quiet roads, signed on-road routes and themed long-distance routes. We found a wonderful traffic free route from Canterbury to Whitstable called The Crab and Winkle Way.
We started with a little breakfast top up at The Good’s Shed – a fantastic market and food hall just next to Canterbury Station.
Canterbury’s wonderful farmer’s market and food hall
We walked the uphill slopes by Kent University’s Campus and then there was a great downhill run towards The Forest of Blean where we stopped to catch our breath on this beautiful old bench.
A welcome place of rest outside a place of worship
This section of the route is part of an ancient track known as the Salt Way. It was used for the transportation of salt from the plains of Seasalter through Whitstable to Canterbury.
We cycled onwards through orchards and fields stopping to walk the uphill bits as the girls still don’t have gears on their bikes. The route is really well sign-posted.
Fabulous Sustrans signpost
The next landmark was Clowes Wood where we stopped (again) for biscuits and a little stretch.
Natural Bicycle Park
And finally we reached Whitstable where a wonderful mosaic marked the end of the route. We’d taken about two hours to do eight miles!
Wonderful artwork
We were all starving so skipped the obligatory walk around the twee shops and headed straight towards the harbour for a late lunch.
We came across the Crab and Winkle Restaurant right on top of Whitstable Fish Market and could not resist going in. The girls actually thought it was part of the route and we HAD to eat there! It was full for the next half hour so we decided to have some street food starters from the market to keep us going.
First up were Native Oysters (on the left) which have been farmed for well over 200 years as a staple for an everyday diet. Nowadays they are only brought ashore when there is a ‘R” in the month (September-April).
Native and Rock Oysters on Whitstable Harbour
Whitstable Native Oysters grow on the sea bed in shallow waters close to the shore where microscoptic algae is in abundance. They are collected from the sea bed by dredging them. Not quite botanical but part of nature’s wonderful garden nonetheless.
I had never tasted these before and had them with some vinegar and shallots as recommended by the vendor and here’s what I thought!
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/38153809 w=400&h=300]
First taste of native oysters at Whitstable from Urvashi Roe on Vimeo.
The girls tried the Rock Oysters and were suitably disgusted! They needed something to take the oyster taste away so we got some Fried Whitebait.
Crispy white bait
We also had some winkles which was another first for me. Not as fishy as I thought.
Fresh winkles
Perfect fishy appetisers before a perfect fishy lunch. Take a look at the pictures of our Fish and Chips, Grilled Lobster and Smoked Haddock. They were simply delicious!
We were too full to have dessert but couldn’t resist a Mr Whippy from Whitstable as we looked for our own oysters on the beach.
A classic seaside dessert
It was a brilliant day and we’ll be heading back to taste the wonderful seafood again.
What’s your favourite seaside dish? Do you have a favourite fish restaurant?
winkles, cockles and whelks were a regular treat for us as kids on trips to queenborough on the Isle sheppy. if we weren’t able to get there, My dad would get up early on a sunday morning and bring prawns and beigals from petticoat lane- that was way before got all trendy!. Not sure I’d be able to get my kids to eat any of those things now.
I didn’t post the video of my girls tasting the oysters for the first time but it’s a wonderful and hilarious memory. I love that we have smartphones now that can capture these moments so spontaneously! Prawns from Petticoat Lane? That’s a whole other blog post!
What a great bike ride. I love time at the seaside especially old fashioned seaside destinations like Lyme Regis. Fresh caught local fish served outdoors is my favourite. GG
I’ve never been to Lyme Regis. But you’re right. It’s hard to beat the British seaside on a sunny day for a lovely time.
The perks of living in the rich countryside!! Everything we miss out on here in Dubai. Sounds like big fun, and oysters!! YUM
Anything seafood is my favourite food, but I would say oysters top the list for sure :)) enoyed reading your post…
Thanks Dima. Dubai has some wonderful perks too though Eh ? One of my most favourite evenings was in the Dubai desert
Sounds fun.Have you ever been to Southwold-proper English seaside town?
No – Will have to look that up! Thanks x
It sound slike you had a wonderful day, hope the girls take you on lots more weekend adventures 🙂
Thanks Tracy – every day with them is some sort of adventure!
We love trips to Whitstable although we tend to have fish and chips on the beach rather than take bikes. It’s one of my favourite places to go!
I think we might stay in one of the beach huts next time so we can have a campfire on the beach! I also love Ventnore Beach on the Isle of Wight. Great fish too but too far to go for the day
What a fun trip! I have never been down to that part of the country and must. I do regularly use the sustains network – such a fantastic way to have fun for free!
I think we should do a seaside tweet up when the weather gets warmer. Would be great fun!
Looks like you had fun! that video is super cute 🙂
Thanks! I didn’t put the ones of the girls up but they are so funny eating oysters. I’m not sure they’ll try them again for a looooong time!
what a wonderful day out – I had no idea about these cycle routes. Once my baby is old enough I will be off to explore this route. Thanks for sharing. It sounds fantastic and so nice to have some good food as well as a lovely cycle ride x
Mine are at such a lovely ages now. We are thinking about taking them to Holland on a cycling holiday. It’s amazing how far you can go when it’s flat!