A Day Trip from London

So, this is what it feels like compiling a blog post? It’s been a while! If you follow over on Instagram, chances are you’ve seen the majority of these pictures already- one of the reasons that posting here feels obsolete most of the time, social media has already seen it all. But I don’t want my blogging membership revoked, and I’m not about to give up completely after 13 years of sharing any and every adventure here with you (even if you is just future Carrie, looking back on life). So, let’s get to it…

After a series of lockdowns (yes Carrie from the future, that’s what you got up to in 2021), I’d not managed a getaway of any kind this year. As images of sparkling seas, swimsuits and blue skies started appearing on Instagram thanks to lucky folk that had managed to book trips to warmer climes, I was feeling the pull of the ocean. I didn’t quite manage Greece or Mallorca, but as Miguel had some time off work, I booked us train tickets to Rye in East Sussex.

Rye was one of those places I’d heard so much about but hadn’t yet had the chance to visit. Its much-Instagrammed cobbled streets that date back to medieval times make it a popular spot for visitors from London and further afield. With a train journey of just over an hour (with a quick change at Ashford), it makes for a particularly easy day trip from the city. It doesn’t take long to spot its charm once you arrive.

In Rye you’ll find antique shops aplenty. It’s only small, so you’re not likely to miss any of its must-sees if you do a few loops of the town centre, but it might be worth getting a booking at The Fig (we didn’t, and it was very busy!). Other highlights were The Confit Pot, Whitehouse Bakery and Knoops.

Once we got our fill of the town, we made it back to the station so we could catch the bus to the beach (and yes, they do take contactless FYI!)…

After 15 minutes on the bus (I did try and convince Miguel to walk, but I’m glad we didn’t in the end!) we had arrived in Camber. Again, I’d heard a lot of praise for the long stretch of beach here and its rugged appearance.

It was approaching the end of the afternoon, and it looked like a lot of the children with buckets and spades were being bundled into cars. Or perhaps that was something to do with the gale-force winds that were now whipping up the sand in every direction. I was extremely excited to see the sea after so long, but couldn’t quite look in its direction without exfoliating my eyeballs. Oh. It wasn’t quite going to be the ‘sit and read for an hour with sand under our toes’ time we’d imagined. But we laughed, took some pictures and made the most of it, walking along the wet part as to ensure we went home with all four eyeballs.

When the sun started turning everything golden, we turned back to the bus stop (by this point I’d had a total outfit change- nothing worse than being stuck out in the cold so I’m very very glad I came prepared) and made our way back to Rye. We still had a bit of time before our train home so queued up at Marino’s Fish Bar, because what is a trip to the seaside without proper chippy chips? And boy were they good! A reason to head back to Rye if ever I needed one.

We were a little concerned our jaunt to both Rye and Camber would be a bit of a rush, but it wasn’t at all- it couldn’t have been a more ideal day away. And I promise I’ll stop talking about it on Instagram now- I’ve very much milked this one day away for all it’s worth!