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Do I Miss The UK? Never! But...
I do enjoy a good day out in Kent, and it’s affordable with many day return ticket
deals available both from ferry operators and the tunnel (you can use the links on
this page to check them out). They too are about to get cheaper when the off season
tariffs come into play so with the exchange rate still rather disagreeable it’s a
good opportunity to spend some Pounds and not have to worry about buying Euros. In
fact why not look on it as a reversal of the “booze cruise” remember when crowds
of English day trippers made the pilgrimage to the Mecca that was the wine warehouse?
Those were the heady days of 1.50 to the pound. The principle’s still the same though
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Of course I could pretend that my agenda includes culture and self improvement but
look I’m a woman and I head straight for the shops so here is my personal guide to
a day out in Kent. There’s a choice of towns easily accessible from the ports, my
preference is Canterbury which has great shopping and is only 30 minutes from the
tunnel. Parking is easy and if you’re not on a budget Whitefriars is so convenient
with a direct link to M & S, but after a few hours the costs leap up so if you are
in for the long haul, either park and ride at Wincheap (just off the A2) or choose
one of the in-
The main drag of the town is lined with the usual high street chain shops including 3 department stores. Most of this stretch of the road is pedestrianised so no problems with dodging the traffic. Interesting little streets lead off on both sides and they are full of cafes and smaller specialised shops and boutiques.
My usual ports of call are M & S (naturally) and C & H fabrics which is a treasure trove of practical items, with a very good cafe on the first floor (there is a lift). Then there is Lakeland, Holland & Barrett and of course Waterstones for books, they have a Costa Coffee bar upstairs and the barrista will give you the key to the loo making it a good comfort stop.
I have found a good hairdresser in The Burgate and I am told that The Burgate Dental Practice is excellent, so if you prefer to explain your hair and teeth requirements in English just make appointments before leaving home. Finally I never leave Canterbury without a visit to Dunelm Mill (right by the Wincheap park and ride) this is a cornucopia of all things domestic with gadgets that you never knew you wanted but suddenly can’t live without. They have rows and rows of curtain fabric which can be made up for you at a very reasonable rate as well as towels, duvet covers, sheets and some furniture. I can get lost in there for hours but usually don’t because I have to make for the Park Farm Retail Park which is just off the M20 at Folkestone. Here bricoleurs who crave paint that actually does what paint is supposed to do can find B & Q, Homebase and even Brewers a small independent hardware shop that sells Farrow & Ball. On the same estate you will find Sainsbury’s. Now I love French supermarkets but I still like to visit Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Don’t forget they sell small electrical appliances which are remarkably cheap at the moment. I can’t believe that a toaster or a cordless kettle can be had for around a fiver and of course you can pick up those basic British staples that suddenly become a treat when living abroad. In fact I now do a full shop, I figure I am there anyway so why not load up. Try it, then when you get back and do your sums you might find that you have made a profit, especially if you have shared the expenses with a friend or two.
Why not visit the forum pages of Frogsiders, you might start a trend, I am sure there are many excursion buddies that you can hook up with and you never know you might make some new friends.
In conclusion I really look forward to my trips and enjoy them no end but you know
what the best part is -
A Shopping Awayday Across the Channel
By Pippa Price