‘THE BEACH HUT IS MY RETREAT’
Kate Iles, 60, lives in London with her husband, Eddie.
Sitting on the steps of my beach hut in Whitstable, Kent, I love gazing at the sea and sky – the landscape clears my head. It’s an hour’s drive from London, and when I get there I’ll swim or take my inflatable kayak out. Later, sitting in the sun with a book, I feel relaxed. It’s the only place I’m sure of no interruptions – the reception is too weak for anyone to ring me.
My sister Judith saw the hut for sale 25 years ago. We split the £4,000 price, and our mum, Maisie, chipped in too. We had to rebuild it after a few years, but we kept it painted blue, and inside there’s a sofa, a table, chairs, plus
