Went for a walk.

More of what I saw.

What a fantastic fireworks display as the perfect climax to a day of entertainment on a sunny Dover seafront to celebrate the centenary of Louis Bleriot’s first flight across the channel.

Events planned for day two can be found at the Dover2009 website.

Fireworks photos can be found here – wheeee!!!

My favourite was the representation of the White Cliffs of Dover in a falling shower of white fireworks from the Prince of Wales pier …

And what a treat the lucky folk on the cruise ship had as they snuck out of Dover Cruise Terminal mid-way through the fireworks – it must have made for an extra special holiday send-off …

A big thank you to all the organisers, DDC, Police, etc for a great day out …

It’s a magnificent spectacle and great entertainment for all ages.

The Royal Marines are always very popular when they return to Deal for this annual concert, so be sure to get there in good time to grab your spot for the afternoon.

It’s a free concert – with a collection for charity.

Please note that The Strand will be closed to traffic throughout the afternoon.

This year there will be two large screens, one positioned either side of the bandstand to add to your viewing enjoyment with close-up coverage.

These big screens will also cover the planned march by the band.

For full details please visit this web page for The Royal Marines at Deal Bandstand 2009.

A small crowd gathered and under darkening skies and a slight shower we shared in the moving atmosphere.

The Big Screen performed impressively in the early evening, we look forward to further occasions.

Click the link for more photos of Michael Jackson on Dover’s Big Screen.

Dover Harbour Board are responsible for the continued good upkeep of the beach and the harbour:

Being recognised in the Good Beach Guide is very important to the Harbour Board as it demonstrates a commitment to providing a safe, clean environment with high standards of water quality for beach users to enjoy.

Environmental monitoring is a priority for the Environment team  with high environmental standards achieved year on year.  In addition, the Environment Agency carry out weekly water quality monitoring during the bathing water season with the results published on seafront notice boards. In addition Dover Harbour Board have a long standing environmental monitoring programme which surveys on a quarterly basis the health of the whole port environment, including, marine, coastal and terrestrial ecology.

More information is available on the Good Beach Guide website.

Samphire Hoe is an area of land at the foot of Dover’s white cliff’s which was created about ten years ago from the spoil from digging-out the channel tunnel.

If, like us, you haven’t visited for some time, then you are in for a real treat!

It has developed into a beautifully managed green oasis.

We visited last week on one of the hottest days of the year so far and were greeted by a lovely cooling onshore breeze.

Standing in the sun, in a large green open space, with the sea sparkling behind you and the white cliffs towering over you it has to be a serious contender for World Heritage status!

Enough words, take a look at the photos of Samphire Hoe – and be sure to pay a visit soon, you’ll be pleased that you did.

There’s a website dedicated to Samphire Hoe.

The only charge is for Parking; from 50p for 30 minutes to £2 for all day.

There’s a snack bar and coffe shop, toilets, and information centre with lots of leaflets to provide you with further information.

It remains an impressive feature, hopefully the developers will be able to return and do it all over again.

We’ve had glorious weather in Dover for the past two weeks and now that we’ve reached the final weekend of the Wimbledon tennis tournament it’ll be interesting to see what sort of turnout we get to watch the ladies final on Saturday and the mens final on Sunday.

It’s open every day from 10am to 6pm between May and September.

Free changing rooms and toilets.

Kiosk serving ice creams and hot & cold snacks, as well as a range of inflatables and other toys for use in the pool.

Deckchairs are available for hire too.

The pool is for under tens only.

There are many other facilities located nearby:

• Crazy Golf
• Putting
• Bouncy Castle
• About 400m to Deal Castle
• About 200m to the Deal Memorial Bandstand

Find out more at the Vista Leisure web page for Walmer Paddling Pool.

See more photos of Deal Seafront.

Every Sunday throughout the Summer a free concert is given by a Kent, military or big band.

It is the perfect way to spend a Summer’s afternoon; bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic and ENJOY!!!

The scheduled bands for the remaininder of Summer 2009 (each Sunday at 2pm unless stated) are:

• July 5th – Cantium Brass
• Wednesday July 8th at 7:30pm – The Railway Swing Band
• July 12th at 2pm – Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth (Royal Band)
• July 19th – Band of The Old Comrades (ex Royal Marines)
• August 2nd – Birchington Silver Band
• August 9th – Invicta Concert Band
• August 16th – Gravesend Borough Band
• August 23rd – City of Canterbury Band
• August 30th – 1st Whitstable Scout Group Band
• September 6th – Railway Swing Band
• September 13th – Battle Town Band
• September 20th – BAE Systems Brass Band
• September 27th – Betteshangar Welfare Brass Band

NB in case of bad weather and the possibility of cancellation, please call 07779 752 474 for a short recorded message update.

Only disabled drivers may park on Walmer Green.

More details at the website of Deal Memorial Bandstand.

Click here for more photos of the bandstand.