It was a beautiful day yesterday, sunny, dry, mild and calm. This picture was taken about half past three - four o clock in the afternoon. I was marvelling how quickly, already, the days are lengthening.
I enjoyed going into town and making my way around the trendy bit (as far as there is a trendy bit) of small independent shops along Harbour Street and around the market square.
Book Bodega
Source - Book Bodega in Harbour Street
I picked up a book I'd ordered from Book Bodega - their wifi was finally repaired yesterday. When I'd called in before Christmas, they were taking down orders analogue fashion - pen and a big red bound book with lined pages. Thank goodness we still have stationery.
We did have a little chat about stationery, the bookseller for the day and me.
We both love it, caress it when we see it and have to work hard not to buy everything we set eyes on. Sitting on the central display was an A4 bound Revision Planner with lots of formatted pages to fill in. I have no need of a Revision Planner (perhaps I could use it for something else), and I had a hard time until I saw another book that I had been looking for and was distracted.
I should have taken some photographs of stationery, really.
The Modern Boulangerie
Source - Interior of The Modern Boulangerie, new premises meant they could increase their staff from seven to twenty. More information in the source link.
I made my way a few doors down to The Modern Boulangerie, with a shop and deli at the front opening into a massive cafe (7,400 sq ft), really cafeteria-style, at the back. There were tables and chairs and an area with sofas and rugs and a big box of toys. The vast flat walls are ideal for displaying art and there was plenty on offer to buy.
I was a bit confused about the etiquette. The sign said please wait to be seated, but I was handed a menu and left standing. I practiced looking helpless until eventually another server rescued me and explained the sign was for busy times and to please help myself to a table.
The ceiling was magnificent with two enormous roof lanterns - one shown here. It would be interesting to know if these were original, or whether they were added as part of the refurbishment of the building.
I'm always surprised, although why, I don't know, given inflation and the cost of living crisis, by how much a snack like lunch costs these days. The Modern Boulangerie had a small menu of toasted sandwiches, soups and noodle dishes ranging from £10 to £14 plus drinks. I had a Reubens, a take on the New York deli-style Reuben sandwich of salt beef and cheese on rye (one of my favourites), but here on definitely chewy with crunchy toasted exterior sour-dough.
I made my way through three-quarters of it (I had forgotten how much hard work true sourdough is), the pepper on the salt beef and the TMB spicy sauce definitely added a kick. The final quarter was wrapped in a serviette and carefully sandwiched between two carriers so that grease didn't soak through to my new books.
It was very pleasant, though, and I reflected it was years since I had done this popping into town on the weekend for a few bits and pieces, browsing bookshops and sitting reading in cafes. I regretted that I hadn't bought a notebook with me - I must remember for another time - I've got out of the habit.
Sunday
Ramsgate seafront, taken Sunday 19 November 2023, about 2pm, a very blustery day.
Today we were back to freezing weather or as close as makes no difference. Then to another of my favourite things - getting a cup of tea and the laptop and the books I bought yesterday and climbing back into the warm, cosy bed.
