What was initially envisaged (please kill me for using that word) as a
small weekend for our newly engaged flat mates, Rob and Bex, soon ballooned
into a large affair with several families and nearly a dozen friends converging
on Broadstairs, a small town on coast of South East England.
Friday 7:30PM, with Rob at the wheel, myself, Lauren, Bex and another
friend James, piled into a car generously loaned to us Bex’s parents and drove
off into the sunset. Two hours later we pulled up the Rob’s Mom’s house, a
pleasant semi-detached two story Victorian. The adjacent house was a holiday
home also kindly loaned to us for the weekend free of charge. This was where
all the “kids” would be staying. The holiday home interior designed reminded me
of the Condo. Nautical knickknacks scattered over tables, novelty seashells.
After meeting up with Rich, Amy, Bex’s sister and her boyfriend we shuffled
down to The White Swan, a local pub owned by Rob’s godmother. Literally a two
minute walk from the hours, the pub was crowded with older white British
boozers. Locals only type of scene. We settled around the pool table which was
offering games for only 50P (in London the going rate is £1). We faced a
friendly ribbing from a trio of guys who clearly call this place their second
home. After the pub closed we continued the imbibing back home.
The following morning we drove to the nearby coast and
enjoyed a pleasant walk along beautiful seaside cliffs. We passed Bleak House –
where author Charles Dickens spent a number of years writing and wandered onto
the Broadstairs high street for food. Lunch was fish and chips (of course) in beach
facing hotel.
Returning to the house, we spent the rest of the afternoon
laying around, playing cards and keeping out of trouble.
As the western sun beginning to set and with outside
temperatures falling, we began our preparations for the evening. We started
with a brief dinner of oven pizza and cheese bread.
Returning to the White Swan we met loads of Rob and Bex’s
family. Champagne in hand we all toasted to the couple. Plenty of pool games
where had. The local yokels from the prior night where there in full force and
they eventually they challenged us to a game. Their confidence on the pool
table was intimidating. However a great cheer erupted from our side when they sunk
the 8 ball before they were supposed to – prompting an automatic win for our
side. They didn’t give us any lip for the rest of the evening.
