In the ninth of our monthly series of articles describing how one couple finds their new life in Rye, we look forward to what 2017 might bring them (and us) – in a positive way!
Onwards and upwards.
My partner and I are pretty optimistic people as a rule. We’d have to be – making the radical leap of living and working for decades in London to a place we’d never even visited until we started looking for property there; a place where we knew no-one; a place where the commute looked doable on paper, but we hadn’t experienced the reality.
So far, as you’ve read in previous articles, our optimism has been more than justified in most respects.
After two full years here, it’s time to take stock, reflect, and wonder what the future holds.
Let us hope that 2017 is a vintage year. We’re going to look on the bright side. (So, therefore, we won’t be dwelling on Brexit, Trump, Southern Rail, parking in Rye, or the state of the Landgate.)
Expanding horizons.
As newbies, much of our exploration has been confined to Rye itself, Winchelsea, and Romney Marsh. For 2017, we’ve promised to drag ourselves a little further afield…
For example, to the Turner Contemporary at Margate. Or Sissinghurst Castle Gardens. Or the ruins of St Augustine’s Abbey at Canterbury. For Kent alone, there are dozens of possibilities.
Business as usual? Or better?
Coming to a small country town, one of our guiding principles has been to find and patronise local, independent suppliers.
Rye Butchers, Johnston Fruiterers, Rye Bay Fish, Richard Hutley’s Lazy Bakery, Kyle Tatner’s Catering & Events – to name but a few.
All of these guys have been very good to us. And of course, we’ll stick with them.
But we’d like to add to the repertoire. 2017 could be our year for finding the best produce at a nearby farm gate. Which one is the question.
Similarly with Kent/Sussex wine. So far, we’ve only visited Chapel Down. This is surely criminal!
Though to be fair, from the early days, we have been busy sampling the restaurants, pubs and bars. First loves, like the Globe Inn Marsh, the Standard Inn, Olde Worlde Wines, Landgate Bistro, Ypres Castle Inn, Webbe’s Fish Cafe, the Ferry Inn, the George, the Mermaid and the Ship all retain our affections.
Recently, one or two upstarts have joined the food and drinks menu, like the the Grapevine champagne and cocktail bar and the Fig (excellent coffee!).
All that said, we believe there’s space for different kinds of outlets. Whether there is the demand, we don’t know. Anyone for an authentic Spanish tapas bar? Regional French? Japanese?
Out and about.
Not quite sure how, but we’ve joined the regular performers at Olde Worlde Wines monthly “Happy Sundays” poetry and song event. And judging by 2016’s crowded evenings, Steve Wilson’s initiative will go from strength to strength.
But could we see some poetry in motion?
If there’s one subject that’s been strikingly absent from these articles it is sport. While only one half of the partnership takes any interest in association football, it was still great news to see the birth of Rye Town FC. Saturday afternoons may yet involve a stroll down to the Salts to watch a match.
So it seems that 2017 will give us a few reasons to be cheerful.
Photos: Simon Kershaw and library images