The annual Oyster Festival at Whitstable was an event not to be missed considering my good friend Jill was taking part in the procession.

She is now a fully fledged member of the local Samba band Pelo de Mer (translates: beside the sea) and she did an excellent job jiggling her shakers despite the showers.

The day started at midday with an introduction by the samba band before the first oysters we brought onto the beach to be blessed by the Bishop of Canterbury. At this point it was raining so Pete and I took shelter in the new Whitstable Brewery Bar on the beach for something to warm us up.

The day got warmer, drier and sunnier. We ate oysters deep fried in guiness batter from Wheelers Oyster Bar, which were delicious as well as washing it all down with some real ale and an ice cream to finish it all off.

Yum Yum.