RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION ANNUAL OUTING

I don't know if many of the residents of the Victoria Park Crown Estate know that each year the Crown residents' Association run an annual coach outing for residents and any guests they may wish to bring. For around £10 this is great value and a good way of getting to know other residents socially.
This year the destination last Thursday 18th June was Broadstairs on the Thanet Coast in Kent. For the first time Jenny and I were able to join the trip, which we have been assured each year has the finest weather. We were dreading the blame that would fall if this year's weather disappointed. We were hopeful when the day started with long sunny spells as we departed at 9 am from the Crown office in Gore Road and at (.15 am from the pickup in Approach Road.
We arrived in Broadstairs about two and a half hours later after a 40 min coffee stop and still the weather was sunny spells so fingers crossed we had the group photo taken and then we split up into our groups, pairs etc to sample the attractions of Broadstairs.
Prominent among these is The Dickens Museum which celebrates the close link between Charles Dickens, the Victorian Autor, and Broadstairs. The Museum is housed in the home of a lady he used to visit in Broadstairs on whom the famous character, Betsy Trotwood in "David Copperfield" is based. Many of the group chose this place to visit and very worthwhile it was too. Another Museum that attracted some attention was the Crampton Tower Museum, which commemorates Thomas Russell Crampton, a leading Civil engineer and designer who lived in Broadstairs. It is housed on the site which was the first public water supply for Broadstairs. There is also a small harbour in Broadstairs that is still an active fishing port, albeit on limited days of the week, a glorious beach with golden sand and coastal walks in both directions which some of the group enjoyed. There is a plethora of eating establishments, most of them offering the eprennial seaside favourite of 'fish 'n chips'.
Although the frequency of sunny spells lessened as the day wore on the weather stayed kind enough for Jenny and I to escape blame. We all regathered in the coach park for the 5 pm departure of the coach and the return journey was as straight forward as the outward. albeit with a somewhat idiosyncratic route taken by our driver from Blackwall Tunnel to Hackney! Thanks go to the 'Trolley Dollies', Brigette and Rosie who plied us with drinks and crisps as well as WINE on the return journey!!
We really enjoyed the day and intend to join the trip again next year if possible and urge anyone else who is available midweek to give it a try. The destination for next year along with an order form for tickets will be in the May 2010 CRA Newsletter. Look out for it.
If you are a member of FLICKR or wish to sign up you can view some photos from the trip on www.flickr.com. Choose 'try a search' halfway down home page and then scroll down to 'search for a member' box and enter 'alan.thomas4'. Then choose Crown Residents' Association collection and then CRA Broadstairs set.
Alan Thomas