please empty your brain below
I think I have mentioned this before but we have sometimes driven to Leysdown out of season to immerse outselves in the sheer desolation of the place. The enormous wind farm in the estuary is a magniificent sight/unbelievable eyesore*. How come you didn't mention it ? You could hardly not notice it. Leysdown even beats Camber Sands out of season.

* according to personal taste.

I take it you were at the mercy of the local bus services which prevents you really appreciating how isolated, flat and windswept parts of the island are despite being only an easy day trip from London.

If you really want bleakness then the nearby Isle of Grain is a must visit - if you can get there.

Pedantic of Purley | 10.04.11 - 7:03 a.m. | #

If I remember right Isle of Sheppey was captured by the Dutch, after they had destroyed the English navy, in the 17th Cent.

Michael | 10.04.11 - 9:39 a.m. | #

I didn't mention the wind farm because
a) it's not that dominant
b) I've ridden through the middle of it, and up-close is much more impressive

Being carless, yes, I had to use local buses (every hour to/from Leysdown) which did restrict exploring somewhat.

And Grain is definitely on the list of places I'll visit one day - so long as the fairly decent bus service isn't cut back.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 10.04.11 - 10:39 a.m. | #

Great post, and I loved the guessing game yesterday!

Agree about the marshland and the Isle of Harty - I walked from Faversham last year, along the other side of the Swale and past the causeway where the old Harty Ferry used to land; wonderful place for solitude, plenty for ornithologists and some great industrial archaeology too.

Pete | Homepage | 10.04.11 - 11:17 a.m. | #

Thanks for reminding me about Sheppey. When I was about five I went on holiday twice (Mid 60s) with an auntie and her "friend". I enjoyed it very much, would be interesting to go back!

Steve Barker | Homepage | 10.04.11 - 10:08 p.m. | #

A propos of nothing very much in particular - have you been to the Trinity Buoy Wharf in Poplar? Sadly my visit was very fleeting. It looked well worth further investigation though.
Never been as far East as Sheppey - must give it a try.
Thanks for great posts as ever.

gilly | 11.04.11 - 3:35 p.m. | #











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