Travels to County Kent

I think of all the places in England , I love County Kent the most . My ancestors hail from Shorne , a small village in the NW corner of Kent in the Gravesham District . I am a direct descendant of John Page born there in 1310 and named for him . London may be my second home but Kent is where my heart resides . Getting to Kent from London is easy and most places are an hour to two by rail . If you have never traveled the UK by rail you must plan to do so ! The events of Kent are numerous and always the summer is kicked off by a music festival in May in Maidstone . Madonna was this year's headliner attended by over 60,000 ! But it's the fall season so let's go . 25 October to 2 November is the famous Kent Coastal week in Margate and the same dates mark the fun " Old Boney Legs " Folklore Festival at the historic Dockyard , Chatham . Of course , 31 October is the Halloween Fest and 1 Nov . is the Firework display at Quex Park , Birchington . Like I said if you are in London go to Kent by train . You can go for the day as I have several times by going Mon-Fri leaving off peak (after 9:30 AM) . Try Group Save allowing 4 travel for 2 and 4 kids for 1 ps(pound sterling ) . Or do the Weekend Saver traveling out of London off peak , leave Fri return Sun . This one is great . Enjoy the Kent Rover Pass . Three days consecutive for 24 ps each adult . Go to www.railpass.com/uk for tickets or just get them in London . Travel times are easy so enjoy the countryside and towns . Examples of destinations are : Canterbury is 1 hr 30 with group save it is 11 ps . Chatham Marine and Dickens World are 50 min and 7 ps each adult . Dickens world is fantastic . Take the Great Expectations Dark Boat Ride , kids love it ! Dover Castle is 1 hr. 30 and 13 ps and Leeds Castle is 55 min and 8 ps . Margate and Ramsgate are 1 hr . 45 and 12 ps . An all time favorite is Lympne Wild Animal Park 1 hr and 10 ps . If you want to stay overnight in Kent the accomodations include cottages , B & Bs , fine hotels , and self catering housing . So , don't be tied down in London . See the sights there first but then break out and let yourself go ! Also check out these other websites : www.atob.org.uk/bike_rail.html , that's an underscore after "bike"for touring Kent by bike and rail . www.visitkent.co.uk/bytrain/southeastern.asp for an overview of Kent by rail . For these and all other adventures go to my website at mpage.paradisenetwork.com/welcome/ and click on Book Travel . Keep those traveling shoes on !

The Skiff and the Bird Islands

When I was eight my parents bought me a 15 ft . cyprus skiff . My dad had found it wasting away under some pepper trees at Hansen Boat Yard and contracted the yard to do some painting and patchwork . It could hold a small outboard so he bought a 10 horse Evinrude and within a couple of weeks the boat was ready to go . I was taught how to handle the skiff dubbed Mike 1 and soon it became a part of me almost an extension of my being . My mother who had grown up with boats would go out in the bay with me and it became a favorite pastime of ours to anchor near the bird islands in Roberts Bay just south of the Siesta Key bridge . She would talk of the cycles of life while we passed time watching the pelicans and other birds tending their young . At that time there were more mangroves and natural islands for the birds to roost on . It was around 1961 so the Army Corps was yet to execute its plan to dredge the Intracoastal waterway through Sarasota and Roberts Bays . Today , as you come south through the present day north Siesta Bridge if you look right the first island you will see is one of the original Edwards Islands , however the next island called Big Edwards is a fill island created by the original dredging . The fill unfortunately covered up mangroves , oyster beds , and grasses but created a large island which is still enjoyed today by boaters . Perhaps not a good tradeoff considering the bay began almost immediately to lose fisheries and rookeries . As you continue to head south look to your left and you will see two things . One is the old channel which led to my favorite old boatyard , Reigles and the new wave break which was a brilliant idea by several high school students . The breakwater is now protecting what is left of the bird islands of my youth . Fortunately , the birds have taken quickly to the rocks , grasses , and soil placed there . Mote Marine and Resaearch facility does say the bay is improving through efforts to switch from septic systems but we still have a long way to go . Continuing south , look right again and you will see another fill island also part of the Edwards islands . The very next island on your right directly across from The Field Club is named Skiers Island yet another fill . The area around this island is an official watersports area so watch out for skiers and tubers ! Visitors can go on any of these islands which are NOT rookeries . Never land on a rookerie island as it is against the law and dangerous for the birds . If you go to one of these fill islands please leave it cleaner than you found it . I keep garbage bags in my whaler and pack out any trash I find . Please recycle cans , plastic , and glass . Also if you are not familiar with sea life laws it is highly illegal to take any type of sea life away fro its habitat . This includes , well , anything except fish and bluecrabs ! So , don't do it ! Mote has several times daily sea life tours which land on Big Edwards and is presently promoting " 30 Days of Discovery " so get out and enjoy our bays !

Favorite Places to Eat in Sarasota

I don't very often write about restaurants but once in a great while one really strikes my fancy and I just cannot get enough . That's the way it is with Carr's Corner Cafe at 3025 N . Tamiami Trail here in Sarasota , Fl . A few words on what Carr's is not . It's not fancy with this latest decor or that latest cuisine . What it IS , is this . It is a real restaurant with real people cooking , greeting , and serving . Sharon Carr owner and cook/chef serves up dishes to die for . Whether it is an old fashioned breakfast , creative omelette or lunch specialties she creates , there is something for everyone . Between MLK and Myrtle on the west side of the Trail in the heart of The University district , Carr's is an intimate destination for art and university students , professors , writers , and long time locals . Sharon herself is what I call " old Sarasota " In short her family has been here since BBP ( Before Brazillian Peppers ) . Here , that is a long time ! As one enters there are about 10 tables inside and seating outside on the deck . Patron conversation can run the gamut from local fishing , politics , art history , philosophy , to just about anything . But it is the food that keeps all the folks coming back . Ample portions of specialty salads , curried shrimp salad on croissant , a divine hamburger , and several vegetarian dishes will delight even the snippy . Like I said , if you are somewhat of a food snob get over it ! Check the specials board when you go in because Sharon cooks for the moment and that my friends is what excites me about this place . She uses whatever is fresh so one never knows what the next creation will be . Carr's does have the daily standard menu offerings , but be bold and try everything . So , if you are looking for that intimate place for lunch or breakfast try Carr's Corner Cafe . Sharon is open M-F and call for seasonal opening and closing times . 941.355.4051 or email at carrs_corner@hotmail.com . Remember , keep those traveling shoes on !

Hidden London

Many of my readers have probably gone to London and seen the tourist sights and rightfully so , but there are places one can go walking and , of course using the Tube many never see or hear about . As a former guide there for several years , it took me a while to discover this hidden London . One of my favorites must be the hidden London behind the scenes at Westminster Abbey . Many people tour The Abbey as it is a must see and surrounded by many other sights as well . Big Ben , Parliament , St . Margaret's Church , all are right there . But , it is what you don't see which proves to be the most exciting . At least 16,000 people a day tour Westminster Abbey ! Few however know the hidden London within these hallowed grounds . Originally , at least for the first 500 years of it's over 1000 year history The Abbey was a monastery . Everyone tours the working church and tombs and some go back for Evensong but touring the Abbey as a monastery is a little more difficult since a large part of it is taken up by Westminster School . One may tour the school but only on Easter week break and you must make prior arrangements . If you do you will be glad you did for you will see one of London's hidden treasures . Go Tuesday -Thursday and you will be able to see The Monk's Garden which was once an herb garden . Ask a docent how to get back to the cloister for it is a winding passage through time . If you turn left out of the museum you will go through The Dark Passage which is the oldest part of the monastery . You will begin to understand how it was to live during the Middle Ages . Follow your signs to College Garden . Here , you will find the most hidden area of central London even though access is quite easy . As you pass out of the passageway where you passed the present day boys' gym it opens up to the glorious garden . Go on Thursday at lunch and hear a band concert and have a sandwich you may have packed earlier ! This is my favorite area of London . I always use the time I spend here for quiet reflection , meditation , and prayer . In spring , all the bulbs are blooming and the only sounds you will hear are the few other tourists clicking cameras and the occasional jet coming into Heathrow . Pause and reflect on what is important in your life . Again , if you go during Easter week and I hope you will , make prior arrangements to tour the Westminster School one of the finest Public schools in The UK . As a former teacher I should add a footnote , Public there is more like private here , a bit strange but after you tour you will understand . The main reason to see the school is mainly historical and not functional . Once a student becomes a " leaver " or graduate most go on to Oxford or Cambridge . The school may be contacted at Little Dean's Yard SW1 London or call 020 7963 1010 . Check for dates generally Easter week although I have led tours there during the first two weeks of April and , I believe one can tour in July , August , and last two weeks of October , but check . For other hidden gems of London I have used an excellent source book , Secret London , by Andrew Duncan a long time tour guide and published by Inerlink of Northampton . These and all other London Adventures can be found at mpage.paradisenetwork.com/welcome/ . As Always , keep those traveling shoes on !