Rye

Just one hour from Eastbourne and everything has changed. No more tennis. No longer flat. Quaint houses dating back hundreds of years instead of enormous Regency buildings housing huge hotels. No beach, but a river flowing through. Dry when I arrived and two hours later full thanks to high tide. 

Dogs feature in nearly every shop and pub. The owners know that 90percent of their clients have dogs!

The famous Mermaid Inn. Haven't been in yet, but will..

This beautiful place is a hotel, bar and ice cream store. So lovely, and very visible from afar.

The old grammar school is now a music shop with more CDs, vinyl than I've ever seen under one roof.

Rye castle, dating back 600 years. Very interesting place to visit with gruesome accounts of the torture, imprisonment and hanging.

 There were fantastic views from the top of Ypres tower of the marshland around Rye, Romney Marsh.

Medieval half-timbered homes adjacent to old brick homes, all very picturesque.

Tucked down a little cobbled lane was Cobble cafe, a very cute cafe offering amazingly fresh and enormous meals. I've never seen so many shrimps in one baguette. It was  so delicious and so filling I didn't need dinner.

I was alone in their little garden until I was joined by this cute, rather lost baby gull.

The Barbie pink old Vicarage was so pretty with a stunning garden.

I loved this sign. Take a close look at the cat rolling its  eyes.

Not sure how long this chimney would last in Christchurch! It was on a huge lean!

There is a fabulous Arthouse movie theatre here, the Kino. I treated myself to a visit and saw a great film with Anthony Hopkins, Freud's last session. Wonderfully comfortable armchairs in a cinema seating only 45.

These ashtray bottles for people smoking outside is such a good idea and stops the ground being littered with cigarette butts. 

After an afternoon enjoying the quaint wee homes and businesses in Rye, , the next day I walked to Rye Harbour, with its beautiful wee cottages.

and of course, welcoming pubs for dog owners and their pooches

The Rye Harbour churchyard is a gorgeous place to while away some time amongst the gravestones covered in wild  flowers and very pretty pyramid orchids. 

Rye Harbour nature reserve covers an extraordinary 475 hectares and is made up of salt marsh 

shingle ridges

Salt marshes with islands purpose built for the nesting birds, 100 species in total in the  reserve, with hides to observe  the birds without disturbing them 

and beautiful tidal lagoons .

maps of the area were not super useful, nor the signposting. I walked about 1 km following the map to find a gate with a notice saying the path had been discontinued so please retrace your steps. No mention of where to! I had been walking about two hours! 

Anyway, I could see Camber castle so set off across the fields. As a person fearful of snakes, I trod warily through the high grass! Intrepid explorer! 

This castle has an interesting history dating back to 16 th century. It was built on the stoney ridges by the sea to protect against invaders, but due to the changes to the land, it ended up far from the sea and useless in the eveñt of an invasion from the sea.

Back in Rye I needed some recovery time after 20 kms walking in the sun and ofte n strong winds. 

I Just had enough energy to stroll up into town, past interestingly named houses to Langland Arch, and a delicious Thai meal. A perfect end to two fun days in this lovely little town with exceptionally friendly people.