July

Couldn’t get away this month? Did you just miss out on that last minute deal? God forbid, has another volcano erupted and your cruise was cancelled? Airline staff striking again? Well not to worry, there’s still plenty of weird and whacky things happening this month to keep you entertained in dear old Blighty that will see you through to your next cruise.

Whitstable Oyster Festival and Blessing of the Waters

The Whitstable Oyster Festival is all about Whitstable, old and new. It’s a whole week of festivity celebrating Whitstable’s history and unique heritage alongside its contemporary talent and enthusiasm for fun.

From Saturday July 24 to Friday 30 July, Whitstable invites all with open arms to an eclectic and entertaining mix of outdoor and indoor events including family, heritage, arts and food and drink. All are affordable, many are free and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
It is an amazing 25 years since the oyster festival was revived and it’s grown every year since. Today the Festival has well over 150 events, and has become one of Kent’s major tourist attractions, as well as remaining popular with local people.
Highlights are everywhere in the programme but for heritage I suggest the ceremonial ‘Landing of the Oysters’ at Long Beach, the colourful Oyster Parade, the memorable ‘Blessing of the Waters’ ceremony at Reeves Beach, or one of the many walks.
For a truly Whitstable experience, try your hand at crab catching, grotter-building or the oyster eating competitions.

The arts are well served, with every music genre, from classical to rock and great arts and crafts throughout the town, including a new art and craft fair.
They also have some special guests including Canterbury’s Poet Laureate and the Laureate Squad, Tom Hart Dyke and brilliant comedians in the Oyster comedy season. And don’t forget to join in the Dance Jam on Saturday

Swan Upping 2010 will take place from 19 - 23 July

The census of people only takes place every ten years. The census of swans takes place annually during July on the River Thames in a ceremony known as Swan Upping. Swans are counted and marked on a 70 mile, five day journey up the River Thames.

The Swan Upping event takes place in July each year, commencing on the third Monday at Sunbury and ending at Abingdon on the Friday.
The swans on the River Thames are Mute Swans. They are not actually mute; they can honk and hiss a lot. Mute swans are seen in Britain all year round and are distinguished by a bright orange beak, which has a knob of black tissue on the top.

Happy Cruising