A quick look at the Isle of Grain

Cherry Blossom at Grain

My artist friend, Bob Collins and myself, collected our paintings from the Historic Dockyard Exhibition on this bright Spring day - April 2nd - and out of curiosity instead of turning right to go back home to Sheppey we turned left and wandered into Grain.  From Sheerness and many points on the Isle of Sheppey the huge chimney tower of the power station dominates the skyline.  It is ugly, the sight of the gantries on the other power station and such is also ugly giving the impression that there is nothing but silos, tanks and pipes across the Medway estuary.  So, the curiosity of two ageing painters got the better of simply wandering home, dropping into a local pub and shooting the breeze and we wandered to the end of Grain.

Tanks - Grain

Spring means daffodils, tulips,hyacinths, cherry blossom, blackthorn blossom, lambs, fresh green buds, primroses and bluebells and of course better weather.  This day was sunny and warm; so much so that we discarded some clothing in favour of being cooled by the breeze.

The odd thing about being between two rivers, the Medway and the Thames is that the air is fresh although we have chosen the rivers as a ports and places where we set power stations, oil refineries and massive freight shifting docks.  Everywhere there is evidence of this industrial exploitation yet we found an abundance of daffodils on the roadsides, neat and well cared for gardens, a clean, fresh looking farmland and some attractive buildings in pretty rural settings.

St Mary at Hoo

We paid a visit to Grain Village and looked at the church, walked to the reserve at the end of the island and gazed across the estuary at Southend and discovered a view of Sheerness from the outside, from the water without a boat.

Naturally we found a pub choosing The Pilot at Allhallows to have a drink and a meal.  I cannot say the pub was good because it wasn't but at least the food was good and we were entertained by a drunken bum who wanted to play Johnny Cash records - go for it man!  I guess you have to like caravan sites and chalet's to relax in to enjoy Allhallows, or maybe use the place as a base to walk the area.  Nearby attractions are the soft beaches and the RSPB reserve at Cliffe, Upnor Castle and I suppose a quiet exploration of the villages.

View across the Thames

We left Allhallows and drove to Saint Mary at Hoo which proved to be a pleasant place, quiet and peaceful  with some marvellous walking and views across the Thames.  Pleasant walking, very pretty hamlet and as Bob said, a place where paintings suddenly present themselves and us without a pad or pencil between us on the day.

A deal to Sea at Deal

Narrow street in Dael

The gift of a bright sunny day was too much to ignore so with dog in tow we took a trip to Deal on the Kent coast.  With memories of visiting the Marine Barracks in the line of duty as a spotty apprentice with the Ministry of Buildings and Works ( Formally assigned to the Navy Works Department) the place called for a another visit; this time at leisure. Apart from a visit a few years back to Walmer, so close to Deal as to be part of it, we had not made a trip there to explore.  The surprise was instead of the expected dull houses and rather scruffy streets we had expected the town is clean, tidy, and shows the pride the residents have in their homes.

But there is more than that.  The seafront is interesting with buildings, many of them B&B and pubs that are welcoming and lively, for us it was a day of wandering and nibbling seafood and chips, some dating back early - one claiming to be a Tudor House - with narrow streets leading off from the beachfront road to High Street and crossing Middle Street.  We were impressed with the pedestrian area, the shops, the lamps and the sense of history that pervades the town of Deal.

Camelia's in a garden close to the town centre

We walked past the castle and stopped at a cafe just past the lifeboat station - a lifeboatman and a police officer were chatting there - I gave a donation to the service and we were impressed by the readiness of the team and the organisation of the equipment.

Common to all seaside towns are the seagulls and were given a display of flying by Herring Gulls that hovered or soared and glided majestically above the buildings perching on roofs looking no  doubt for nesting places.  Welcome I say to these magnificent birds whose agility in the air is amazing and whose clean, pristine white and black plumage is a treat to the eyes.  As long as you duck the poo Seagulls are great to watch.

 Lifeboat Station

On the way back, we had parked the car at the golf course end, we noted the gardens of the houses approaching the town centre and how neat and well designed they are.  Deal is a typical English seaside town and from a glance, or a quick out of season visit, appears just like any other but we discovered a neatness and a pride that is worth more than a second look.  Back to the gardens: the boarding houses close to town are clean, tidy, beautifully, if modestly decorated, with some well designed and thought out gardens.

Fishing Boa

We liked the place and vowed top pay another visit. Any visit to Deal naturally will involve looking at boats.  The fishing industry, stretched as it is by rules and regulations that seem to cripple the fishers nevertheless allow fishing to be done and Deal has its share.  A visitor will see boats along the foreshore and will also be reminded of its maritime role with the Bell Tower Museum as well as the rows of working boats  drawn up on the beach.

A Quick look at Detling

Broken building Detling

The North Downs are always a place to go when winter is still hitting the weather trail.  For the casual walker the promise of a sunny afternoon after a rain filled week and the chance of a quiet walk is attractive.   The dog Zoid was eager to get going but we had to wait for news of a niece in transit from surgery before we could set off so an afternoon was in the offing.

House in the Woods

On the hills above Detling there is the newly created forest or woodland and not far along the Pilgrim's Way there is Thurnham and the castle both places where people tend to go.  The attraction of Detling apart from the village is the woodland known as The Larches and the walk to Boxley and the Warren.  We took the walk past there to the woodland beside the Pilgrim's Way and at the end of the bridleway followed a path between the avenue of beeches leading down the slope to Boxley and the farm track that stretches between Boxley and Detling.

The day began cold and wet but as the afternoon grew to evening the sunshine arrived and we were too warm. It was amusing to watch two intrepid walkers with sticks consult their map, pointing and gesticulating like the two spies in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and moving off with serious faces.  The assumption was that they were following the North Downs Way.

We made a short excursion into the village to look at the church, a wrecked building and to use the pub toilet (price £3.80 for two coffees) and take pictures of the place.  The Cock Inn is a good food pub and a place to lunch if walking in the area. From past experience we can recommend it.  Beer is good too.

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Detling Millenium Sign

The attraction of the walk is that with care and by following the off road pathways you can avoid traffic. Suggestion for those who wish to walk from Detling to the Warren is to park at the Cock Inn and take a walk to Thurnham Castle via the hills, have a lunch at the Cock Inn and walk from there along the Pilgrim's Way and either walk into the Larches and hence up onto the the North Downs Way crossing Boxley hill and going on down to the Warren from there or to turn down to the farm track to Boxley to the village and follow the paths beside the King's Arms and crossing two fields turn toward the hills and meet the Warren there.  You can choose your own walk back but once on the ridge of the hills a pleasant walk can be had which will lead you down to Detling.

Fly Tipping?

The fun is to explore the options and trust to your directional ability - discard the Sat - Nav and walk.

Capstone Park -Chatham

Terns Feeding

We went to Capstone Country Park - a place that complements the parks of Shorne and Camer.  Tucked in the valley that runs from Bredhurst past the Hempstead Valley that leads down into Luton where Gillingham looms over the edge of the hills.  Assets include free parking.




I am not a Chatham fan.  I used to live just outside in Walderslade and on Bluebell hill; the first we described in our address as near Chatham and the second as near Rochester.  I went to school in Chatham, served my time as an apprentice in Chatham Dockyard, got drunk in Chatham and all the things you do in any town, I did in Chatham.  But I have never liked the place.  I have resisted going there since I returned to the UK until recently.

A Friendly Meeting

Recently with my camera in tow and my sketch book with a friend and fellow artist I have explored the Chatham Dockyard. It was an interesting experience and has created some art for me and a project that needs putting together.  So, when Sister suggested swanning off to Capstone Country Park I was sceptical. Delving through the maps and recalling that we have been to many places in Kent I gave in and agreed to go.




Apart from the gloomy weather,

Gorse Flower in February

grey cloud with a little sunshine here and there, wind and the hint of rain, I was pleasantly surprised by what was on offer.  Aware of the vast expanse of housing estates,Victorian terrace housing, grim rows of slate roofed houses and the mess of roads that are clogged with traffic, the ugly buildings and the encroaching tide of commercial building and housing it was with some trepidation I approached the park.



I expected and got the usual blockhouse cafeteria and overkill on the barriers with signs carrying regulations and perhaps a little too keen on management of resources but was not expecting the well laid out paths and trails that were integrated so well with other activities.  The lake is artificial but looks near natural and the visitor centre looks as if some care was taken to place it in the woods without it dominating.

Flying Jay

The tracks are color coded and one can walk short walks or long ones with the option of using the public footpaths to places beyond the park.  People beside the lake fed the birds which was evident from the flock of Terns, the ducks and the fat swans that gathered close to the cafeteria walkway. Moorhens and Coots sailed on the water and above them on the island were a flock of Cormorants sitting in the branches of a large tree.   A little gaggle of geese begged for food on the pathway and wisely Zoid the Oid was led past them on the grass a few metres distant.

We walked the perimeter with a few excursions and had the pleasure of seeing a Jay dancing for its food, and passed the time of day with a local Horseman and his daughter.  A treat was to talk with a gent on a mountain bike whose companions were two friendly Greyhounds.

A bacon sandwich and a vegie burger washed down with coffee at the cafeteria was a welcome break before we set off again to walk the middle bits.  We managed the fitness trail - wearing ourselves just thinking about the exercises we were  expected to do.  Eek!  My sister explained that when she lived in Lordswood Estate she and her husband would take their children to the park and at one time she was involved with planting trees.  We found the plantation plus the place where small reptiles were encouraged, a rock strewn area ideal for lizards and snakes.  Good stuff.

Sharsted Farm and a footpath to Lordswood

Apart from walking the park caters for Mountain Bikes, Horse riding with some extensive and newly devised Bridleways, a ski practice slope, an excellent children's playground and a few areas for educational purposes plus an events building.  Quite a comprehensive range and all within walking distance of Chatham ( or a bus ride).

Broadstairs - a Dickens of a place

Broadstairs - a little rough

I know that winter, January 22 to be precise, is not the best time to go to the seaside where the entertainment is more likely to be ice creams, buckets and spades in the sand and strolls along the promenade to enjoy the sea air.  We had a stiff, cold breeze that numbed the digits, snatched at ears, delivered frost bite to bald heads and created a desire to seek warmth.

What's that?

We walked from the car park to
the sea front and along the lower promenade beside the sand and admired the buildings, the beach huts and enjoyed the splendour of a wild sea that ignored the wishes of a populace needing a drop or tow of sunshine.  More like teetering on the desire to snow.

It was invigorating.

Lifeboat House

We walked up top the cliff top and looked at Bleak House (as one must) enjoying the whale shape lifeboat service building and watching for waves to splash the sea wall.  A young Seagull obliged by posing on the wall of the steps leading down and we saw plovers disappearing quickly on the hard driven along by the wind.  A stop at the Lord Nelson pub for a Guiness and a coffee was a necessary thing and after a wander through the streets and alleys simply enjoying the flint walls, the neat houses and feeling of being in a coastal town.  Quite pleasant.  We were dogless so a stroll was on the cards minus the need to remove doggy doos (as some irresponsible pooch owner had refused to do) and wander into the Dickens Museum.

Bleak HouseAdd caption

I like museums and will take or leave the commentary of the volunteers.  The old boy who played the part of museum host was fine but a little irritating spewing out information that really wasn't needed.  I felt like J in Three Men in a Boat trying vainly to enjoy his afternoon by the church wall.  We didn't get skulls or graves but we got endless drivelling trivia in and around the most useful information the old boy could tell us.  The idiot kept interrupting my thoughts about the writer's life and works and I lost the thread.  I had images of him in the ruins of his ancestral home with Harris singing comic songs on the rubble - that was a comfort.

However, irritating old boys aside, the place is worth a visit and the old boy knew his stuff.

And for those who want to reach the beach without walking the steps there is a lift.  I ask why?  Maybe wheelchairs to the promenade?

There are plenty of places to eat in Broadstairs but we chose a non-descript Fish and chip shop which had some well done wall paintings of fishy scenes.  Eating cod and chips in a warm place was a pleasure but the real pleasure was to have a wander around and casually walk the place and plan another visit in the better weather, maybe by choo-choo to avoid having to find parking for the car.  We can stay all day (I do not think there is a zoo)  and maybe walk along the cliff pathways.  One thing noted that makes Broadstairs a great place is that it is wheelchair friendly for those who want to use their electric mobility and take a long (virtual) walk.

We intend to pay another visit.

A walk to a Windmill

Detail of the Windmill

This Saturday was a day of cold weather after the heavy rain and high wind of Friday night. Still blustery with a the occasional sunny burst the idea of walking in the mud did not appeal so we pushed intrepidiness aside and decided on a trip to a paved area.  The result was a pleasant walk around Herne close and above Herne Bay, the village dominated by the restored windmill standing proudly against the skyline.

The Famous Butcher's Arms

There is a car park on School Lane and from there we set out on foot to explore the village.  Walk to the Canterbury road and you are faced with a wide area dominated by the imposing church and stroll down the hill toward Herne Bay (Toilets in the recreation and sports field) and take a look at Strode House.  Beyond is a turning that leads up the hill to the


Windmill which is open on Sunday afternoons, Thursdays, and Bank Holidays all at limited times.

Hidden Parts

We walked along the road from there to Hunter's Forstal and turning right when we jolly well felt like it seemed a good idea.  It was.  There was a road we could walk on and to the left some interesting footpaths we could take if we wished - the going was soggy so we didn't - and a good reason to return and explore the area later.

As it was we discovered we were on School Lane eventually leading into Herne and took a paved footpath beside the school to discover the charms of the older part of Herne, a row of cottages leading to the centre and two buildings of weatherboard, the second of which, must have required some very thin and strong, agile contortionists to build so close are they.  (By this time the light was so bad that pictures were getting difficult). The most amazing conglomeration of weatherboard buildings, Georgian and Victorian houses greet you as you wander around and it is a good idea for the visitor to search them out for themselves.

Forge Cottage

We walked up a little further with the dog wanting to travel all the way to Canterbury - Saar is not far away - but we were feeling peckish so we returned to the village aware that we had barely touched the sides and sought out sustenance.  Dog friendly Pub!  The Upper Red Lion, not looking its best in the winter murk but with a car-park creating a space before the church entrance it was most welcome.  Inside  it was cosy and we had an inexpensive lunch that hit the spot.  A pint of IPA for me and a good strong cup of tea for Sister and we were set up for the day.

It only remained to have a look at the church.  The entrance was a Gothic treat lined with naked trees reaching high and dark creating an arch that framed the spire and the door at its foot in a classical 'here there be Vampyres' fashion.

I have been to Herne in the Summer and I have to say the impression then is much different.  Two friends and I had a drink or two and some bread and cheese in the Butcher's Arms. Behind the Butcher's Arms there is an old tractor with a rusting plough covered partly in weeds, but then most places have their hidden parts.

Sheppey Crossing - Kent

Base of the old bridge

It was long decided that the old King's Ferry Bridge was due for a bit of help.  Having served the Isle of Sheppey for many years as its road and rail link it was obvious that increasing traffic,long delays, especially when the centre span was lifted to allow ships to pass underneath and if there was an accident or road closure.  The A249 was a four lane road from Maidstone to the Bridge serving Sheppey, Sittingbourne and the M2 motorway.  Sheerness as a port with a steel works and freight forwarding docks shipping goods of all sorts and cars became busier and the single link was becoming more of a bottleneck than a thoroughfare.

Something had to be done.

View of the new bridge

The result was that after all the planning in 2004 the new bridge was started. Changes to the road alignment  were started earlier and as
that progressed so the traffic got more congested.  However the bridge grew and soon an arch began to form resting on large concrete pillars, the road bed became more real and in 2006 the high span bridge was opened.  Many residents took part in a charity walk across it to celebrate the opening and today we cross it  ignoring the old bridge and taking the smooth ride over for granted.  The A249 and Sheppey Way is no more than another commuter road.

Curious Marsh Resident

Basically the Island is a mixture of commuters, farming, industry - witness the steel works - light industry and dockland activity with goods ferries crossing to and fro  Europe.  Farming is a mixture of crops and grazing with the odd chicken and fish farms.  In the past the largest employer was the Sheerness Naval Dockyard and the Summer migration of visitors to Sheerness and Leysdown.  Today, although Leysdown and Eastchurch see many visitors in the season the numbers are down from the heyday of the fifties and the sixties.

Norman, bird watcher.  Interesting man

The Island, a place of many interests such as Bird Watching on the Elmley Marshes and the RSPB reserve as well as that of Shellness and Harty is also a great place to walk the dog, take part in what the Americans call Skeet shooting, clay pigeons and of course sailing.





This year (2011) I am taking part in 365 a project designed to post a picture a day for 2011 - the project is based in Faversham and runs simultaneously with another in Canterbury as well as on Sheppey.  My initial take on it is to begin with the bridge and explore the island as if I have never seen it before; to look for new views of the familiar.  After four years of use the new crossing has become familiar.  I want to start by taking a fresh look.

Burnt out boat

We begin in the Winter.

The bleak appearance of the marshes in Winter gives way to color and activity in Spring and that is one of the things I hope to capture in my journey.