Our hosts came in two cars, Alex in his E320 and Clem in her Polo. After dinner at Ha Ha, we went back to load our stuff and set off, without Cheng, because she had to work for the next few days.
Whether it was because I was still having problems with my “pain in the neck” or the hot weather, I seemed to feel drowsy each time I travel in a car in UK. So when Alex said something about crossing the bridge, I could hardly open my eyes.
The next day, Alex and Clem took us on a tour of beautiful Kentish countryside.
The first stop was a town called Hythe where we stopped for a walkabout.
I was mesmerized by nice music coming from a shabbily dressed man, with unkempt hair and beard, blowing a windpipe musical instrument to pre-recorded accompaniment. One of my regrets was not buying one of his CDs which I found expensive at 8 quid though we gave about 1 quid in coins.
We continue our journey to Dymchurch beach where Alex and Nee had ice cream at the bund. Then we went to Rye, where we visited an antique shop. On our way to Hastings, we took a wrong turn because we were able to see a sign to Hastings but meant for the other road! After Hastings, we headed towards Battle. Battle of Hastings came to my mind.
On Sunday, Alex took us to a car boot sale and we were surprised at the size of site. Cars were directed to specific parking sites and charged one pound fifty each. There were many stalls and after every 10 or 15 stalls, we could see a Chinaman selling pirated DVDs. Thee were many items which suit SP, but we have to bear in mind the problem of how to get them back to Malaysia. Among other things, Alex bought an old mantelpiece clock for 12 quid while I bought a brass horse and cart for 3. SP bought some old commemorative mugs and plates. I missed a blue towel with a bold BMW logo. We spent hours there and we had to rush back to take the others for lunch.
Alex took us to Peninsula, a popular Chinese restaurant next to Holiday Inn for lunch. Even at 3.00pm, we had to queue for a table. Besides good food, the other attraction was the 2-hour free parking, an advantage in UK. Later we went to a big Chinese supermarket where Alex bought 2 roast ducks and other items for dinner.
Later, we went to the Millenium Dome, owned by our Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew. We walked around the Greenwich Peninsular which was on reclaimed land. There were some modern apartments next to a canal and a park.
Then we went over to Cutty Sark where there were a number of stalls selling European foods – or at least, the stallholders were European. I could detect Greek and French, selling mixed nuts and biscuits, and horrible looking preserved stuffed animal stomachs, respectively.
We stood for a while, looking across the Thames River, admiring the scenery. On the banks near the railing where we were, we could see some geese, foraging for food. Alex, with mischief in his mind, told us that he is throwing a used bubble gum, which he found nearby. We actually saw one picking the piece and trying hard to swallow. Naturally, it went to the water nearby to use it to help it swallow. Initially, it looked gorged halfway and I really felt sorry for the goose, thinking it was going to be fatal. Fortunately, shortly after, the thing came out. Apparently, it was not bubble gum but I would hate Alex, if it were, honestly! As Paul used to say, sometimes he and Alex need to grow up!
Mr. and Mrs. R-alexing, after a hard day's dart forth.
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