A deal to Sea at Deal

Narrow street in Dael

The gift of a bright sunny day was too much to ignore so with dog in tow we took a trip to Deal on the Kent coast.  With memories of visiting the Marine Barracks in the line of duty as a spotty apprentice with the Ministry of Buildings and Works ( Formally assigned to the Navy Works Department) the place called for a another visit; this time at leisure. Apart from a visit a few years back to Walmer, so close to Deal as to be part of it, we had not made a trip there to explore.  The surprise was instead of the expected dull houses and rather scruffy streets we had expected the town is clean, tidy, and shows the pride the residents have in their homes.

But there is more than that.  The seafront is interesting with buildings, many of them B&B and pubs that are welcoming and lively, for us it was a day of wandering and nibbling seafood and chips, some dating back early - one claiming to be a Tudor House - with narrow streets leading off from the beachfront road to High Street and crossing Middle Street.  We were impressed with the pedestrian area, the shops, the lamps and the sense of history that pervades the town of Deal.

Camelia's in a garden close to the town centre

We walked past the castle and stopped at a cafe just past the lifeboat station - a lifeboatman and a police officer were chatting there - I gave a donation to the service and we were impressed by the readiness of the team and the organisation of the equipment.

Common to all seaside towns are the seagulls and were given a display of flying by Herring Gulls that hovered or soared and glided majestically above the buildings perching on roofs looking no  doubt for nesting places.  Welcome I say to these magnificent birds whose agility in the air is amazing and whose clean, pristine white and black plumage is a treat to the eyes.  As long as you duck the poo Seagulls are great to watch.

 Lifeboat Station

On the way back, we had parked the car at the golf course end, we noted the gardens of the houses approaching the town centre and how neat and well designed they are.  Deal is a typical English seaside town and from a glance, or a quick out of season visit, appears just like any other but we discovered a neatness and a pride that is worth more than a second look.  Back to the gardens: the boarding houses close to town are clean, tidy, beautifully, if modestly decorated, with some well designed and thought out gardens.

Fishing Boa

We liked the place and vowed top pay another visit. Any visit to Deal naturally will involve looking at boats.  The fishing industry, stretched as it is by rules and regulations that seem to cripple the fishers nevertheless allow fishing to be done and Deal has its share.  A visitor will see boats along the foreshore and will also be reminded of its maritime role with the Bell Tower Museum as well as the rows of working boats  drawn up on the beach.