Afternoon on the ‘ness
It was a lovely sunny day and we had nothing else on, so we drove ourselves all the way out to Dungeness to buy some fish for dinner. It is a weird and wonderful place; I’ve written about it before. I asked Grok to tell me why it’s called the Fifth Quarter and him do say:
Dungeness, the shingle headland and nature reserve on the Kent coast of England, is often called “the fifth quarter of the globe” (or simply “the fifth quarter”) due to a longstanding local saying that humorously elevates the surrounding Romney Marsh area to the status of a fifth continent. This phrase originates from 19th-century literature and reflects the region’s unique, otherworldly landscape — described as a “shingle desert” – that feels isolated and unlike anywhere else in Britain.
It was first used in an 1837 book of poems called the Ingoldsby Legends. It also happens to be one of the closest points from here to France. From where I was standing looking out to sea to Cap Gris Nez is about 25 miles. This is where the bad guys come ashore, with or without the assistance of the RNLI.
I was staring at the sailing boats when my phone pinged. It was my mobile phone company cheerily wishing me a “Welcome to France!” Heh. Not quite.
Picture doesn’t capture it. Here it is big and in color. Doesn’t capture it, either.
Also, they didn’t have any plaice, which is what we drove out for. We’re going out tomorrow to our local fish counter instead. Adventure!
Posted: September 9th, 2025 under personal.
Comments: 5
Comments
Comment from ExpressoBold Pureblood
Time: September 9, 2025, 8:10 pm
I have been Jonesing for authentic fish & chips for a couple of days.
People used to make fun of Arthur Treacher but –darn it– it was good when I ate it!
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: September 10, 2025, 2:28 pm
Our branch of Arthur Treacher was in the late Sixties, as I recall. Did the chain hang on? I thought it was pretty good fish and chips.
My mother told me that “chips” are the little crispy flecks of batter that break off the fish and are sold in a screw of newspaper. This is a complete fantasy, of course, although fish and chips used to be served in newspaper. My mother loved crispy things and this was a product of her imagination.
Comment from dissent555
Time: September 10, 2025, 3:54 pm
On google maps Dungeness is … brown.
Comment from Mark Matis
Time: September 10, 2025, 6:51 pm
When are y’all gonna get to Diddly Squat?
Or the Farmer’s Dog???
Comment from ExpressoBold Pureblood
Time: September 10, 2025, 8:17 pm
There are a few Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips locations left but they are “stand-alone” locations since the chain closed down decades ago.
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