"Take courage", J Philpot advised in his book Oysters and All About Them, Vol 1, "for once the disgust is conquered, shuddering antipathy becomes natural craving".Feeling surprisingly indifferent about the whole experience I made for the oyster exhibition at the eastern entrance of the harbour. Here, for an open donation, you could indulge in unlimited oysters and draft stout, the perfect compliment I'm told. It was where Whitstable's finest connoisseurs, the fisherman themselves, could be found quaffing the slippery little buggers by the half dozen. (Well, it's world famous at least as far as the Med; we know the Romans enjoyed a few natives from shells found as far away as the Imperial city as well as at a Roman site near Canterbury.) I arrived here in in time for the town's annual oyster festival. At the harbour I made for the Oyster Fisheries Exhibition but first side-stepped into the Guinness tent. When it comes to oysters, there really can be no better place than Whitstable, home to the world famous Whitstable Native Oyster. Yes, there was a definite dip in the ocean feel to it, but it was like being caught unawares by a wave and swallowing a mouthful of the briny.

All members have to be fully financially protected and are scrutinised quarterly by the association. The quality control is such that there has been no call upon its bonds in the five years of the scheme's existence.What do I need to do to get my money back?Contact your travel agent or the CAA as soon as possible. If you paid by credit card, get in touch with the credit card company as well.CAA: 0171-832 6600/5620, ABTA: 0171-637 2444AITO: 0181-744 9280. It is said that to experience your first oyster au naturel is like taking your first ever dip in the ocean.