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Crab & Winkle Route: Canterbury to Whitstable and Return (16 miles)
The cost of parking two cars at Station Road carpark (£14!) set the scene for the day and nothing could go wrong, except for John's puncture before he'd even unloaded his bike, that would detract from the enjoyment of the day of riding in the sunshine from Canterbury to Whitstable, along the route of the old railway line and through the countryside and woods. That was before we reaped the retribution of ignoring Norman's advice he gave as we gazed over the sea into the mist: it's going to rain in a minute!
Rosemary at this point had the sense to wait in a car park while John, Norman and Peter whiled away a few minutes until the restaurant opened with a quick ride around the harbour. The five minutes ride back to the restaurant was long enough for the exploration party to be soaked in a deluge of water direct from the North Sea. Fortunately Birdies Restaurant took pity on the party of dripping cyclists. Later, Jessica and Sophia joined the party and while the tempest raged outside we enjoyed excellent hospitality in this first-class establishment.
Of course, one member of the group, Rosemary, thought a ride back in Jessica's car would be preferrable and abandoned her bike, leaving it chained to a post in the carpark. Despite the bike's rejection, Peter gallantly battled through heavy traffic to retrieve it for use on another day.
Lunch at Birdies Restaurant, 41 Harbour Way, Whitstable. Tel: 01227 265337 is recommended and the group will return on another day, hopefully a little drier!
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