Isle of sheppey revisited

[BigMoaner]

just one quick example from a google search

Three Rotherhithe residents arrested after ‘high-speed’ midnight police chase

Three Rotherhithe residents have been arrested following a “high-speed” police chase in Kent last Tuesday night. Officers on patrol came

www.southwarknews.co.uk

Yeah, IKWM, but I've always had family in Whitstable and what's happened to the place is a bit of a tragedy. When I was a nipper it was a pretty ordinary, working town that had it's moments in high summer, but now*...

Curiously, either side, W & E of the town and it's stratospheric DFL house-price bubble, at Seasalter & Swalecliffe there's mini Leysdown-style static caravan sites that both have the best views across to Eastchurch and Leysdown!

* of course there are still good folk left in the town.

View attachment 260369

have family there too. it just always feels a bit perfect for me. sort of completly pleased with itself. but i get why it's popular and probably a nice place ot live. like a slice of city life on the sea.

 

[brogdale]

just one quick example from a google search

Three Rotherhithe residents arrested after ‘high-speed’ midnight police chase

Three Rotherhithe residents have been arrested following a “high-speed” police chase in Kent last Tuesday night. Officers on patrol came

www.southwarknews.co.uk

have family there too. it just always feels a bit perfect for me. sort of completly pleased with itself. but i get why it's popular and probably a nice place ot live. like a slice of city life on the sea.

Actually, the place does my head in; I'm there regularly for caring matters and going to the shops etc. is a fucking nightmare. The smug fucking boomers that fill the pavements and cafes etc are some of the most entitled ignorant cunts I've ever come across.

 

[BigMoaner]

what is also stunning in that area is the countryside around sittingboarne. if we were bored iwth the island we would head out that way, and it's just beautiful in places. just used to drive and stop, drive and stop. picnics, etc. then stick the sat nav on to find our way back. good days.

sheppey and that area were a big part of me getting over my marriage break up. was good to see my kids so happy in that setting too in the months after the split. they could run around in the wide open spaces/beaches whilst i sat processing the pain of it all - was a big part of getting back on my feet. it's our first year without 'the van' but reading this thread has made me want to visit the area for days out.

 

[BigMoaner]

Actually, the place does my head in; I'm there regularly for caring matters and going to the shops etc. is a fucking nightmare. The smug fucking boomers that fill the pavements and cafes etc are some of the most entitled ignorant cunts I've ever come across.

Yes - always glad to leave.

 

[BigMoaner]

Yes - always glad to leave.

and bare in mind that meant leaving to croydon

 

[Elpenor]

Interesting the comment about SE London roots / Sheppey.

Virtually everyone I worked with when I lived in Reading, had a nan / auntie who had a caravan on Hayling Island, and it seemed to be the bank holiday destination of choice. Hayling must be Reading's Sheppey.

 

[BigMoaner]

but i still think it has a lot going for it.

Interesting the comment about SE London roots / Sheppey.

Virtually everyone I worked with when I lived in Reading, had a nan / auntie who had a caravan on Hayling Island, and it seemed to be the bank holiday destination of choice. Hayling must be Reading's Sheppey.

from what i can work out it's the nearest beachy area from SE london, and cheap. On the hot summer holidays it can get very busy in the little towns, and it can be very much a tatts out, despite the belly, rough round the edges. but it hasn't got an edge. and it's clean and a few minutes drive and it's moor like fields and empty beaches. the amusements are buzzing - even i get a bit excited going there in the evening. sun and daily mirror land, the mail at a push. strong nostalgia for the place - been going for 20 odd years. i remember when millwal were playing in some cup game and i asked in a pub if they were showing it on the TV "of course we facking are" he said with a grin. london over spill.

 

[BigMoaner]

also - for thsoe who still go, check out the seafood place in queensborough. the boat moors behind the shop and it's straight onto the counter. it's brilliant! spend 100s in there.

 

[BigMoaner]

Two Suns Quality Fish | For Fresh & Frozen Fish

 

[Puddy_Tat]

explanation here - to do with the ship that sunk off the coast during the 1939 war and still has 1,400 tons of explosives on board...

 

[spanglechick]

My grandparents had some kind of holiday house on Sheppey, which is odd because they didn’t have much money. (My Nan was a cleaner in a school, and my grandad was a door to door insurance agent). I went to stay with them once, on my own. I’m not sure how that came to pass, because my grandparents didn’t really do childcare or even much by way of affection. But I remember picking blackberries from a lane, and cockles from a deserted beach. And otherwise being very bored and not being able to flush the toilet properly and being quite anxious as a result.

 

[Elpenor]

I had a nice trip to the Isle of Sheppey a few weeks ago for an hour or so. After getting a bit lost as I didn’t really have my bearings, I eventually found Warden Point where I collected fossils about 30 years ago during a half term with my Mum and brother. One of the old pill boxes had fallen down onto the beach.

I rather enjoyed driving over both bridges. It was lovely day with sun out and blue sky. When driving around I was struck how pretty the area is, though like most coastal places I don’t think I’d want to live there permanently. Can see why many people would have had a caravan there, I felt I was some distance from London in more ways than one.

 

[blossie33]

Just noticed this thread - I've never been to the area but I've just finished a book I got from a charity shop called On the Marshes by Carol Donaldson...

Carol Donaldson, On the Marshes ← Books ← Library ← Thames Estuary

Her walks include the Isle of Sheppey and people she met, I found it interesting and well written.

spanglechick there is information about how London people were able to buy a plot of land very cheaply and then put a caravan or build a chalet on it, the idea being to give working class people a chance to get out of the city for a break.
Sadly these people and plots have now started to be pushed out by developers who want to build up market homes on the island

 

[ska invita]

Just noticed this thread - I've never been to the area but I've just finished a book I got from a charity shop called On the Marshes by Carol Donaldson...

Carol Donaldson, On the Marshes ← Books ← Library ← Thames Estuary

Her walks include the Isle of Sheppey and people she met, I found it interesting and well written.

spanglechick there is information about how London people were able to buy a plot of land very cheaply and then put a caravan or build a chalet on it, the idea being to give working class people a chance to get out of the city for a break.
Sadly these people and plots have now started to be pushed out by developers who want to build up market homes on the island

i looked at the prices on the caravan park i stayed in last year on Sheppey - never mind the buying of the caravan it seemed really expensive once you add up all the annual rental/lease costs or whatnot.... Id go as far as to call it a rentier scam

 

[Supine]

i looked at the prices on the caravan park i stayed in last year on Sheppey - never mind the buying of the caravan it seemed really expensive once you add up all the annual rental/lease costs or whatnot.... Id go as far as to call it a rentier scam

Plus they avoid council tax by kicking everyone out in January so people who live there need to find temp accommodation elsewhere every year.

 

[BigMoaner]

miss my parents caravan which they had never got rid of it.

 

[steeplejack]

I have work in Kent in a few weeks and have enjoyed reading this thread so much I will make a point of spending a day on Sheppey. Never got round to reading Anniversaires yet, just no bandwidth for novels in the last year

MIllwall have a heavy footprint in the Medway towns so no surpirse they are a presence on Sheppey. Sheppey are at home a bit in November so will maybe go and take in a game.

 

[brogdale]

I have work in Kent in a few weeks and have enjoyed reading this thread so much I will make a point of spending a day on Sheppey. Never got round to reading Anniversaires yet, just no bandwidth for novels in the last year

MIllwall have a heavy footprint in the Medway towns so no surpirse they are a presence on Sheppey. Sheppey are at home a bit in November so will maybe go and take in a game.

If you get the chance, do try the circular walk that starts/ends at Muswell Manor that takes in the site of the old aerodrome, Shellness, the marshes and bird hides and Harty 'island' +pub.

 

[steeplejack]

If you get the chance, do try the circular walk that starts/ends at Muswell Manor that takes in the site of the old aerodrome, Shellness, the marshes and bird hides and Harty 'island' +pub.

Thanks Brogdale, that looks good

 

[not-bono-ever]

Going to sheppey tomorrow to let the dog have a run and a walk on the beach . Looking forward to it

 

[Elpenor]

Cheers not-bono-ever you reminded me, I never put this pic up from the other month. Warden Point beach, free parking btw

 

[not-bono-ever]

 

[not-bono-ever]

the closed off Hamlet at the bottom of the shellness road is a bit mad. Some furious duffer claiming it was all private including the road itself used to get there. Obviously I took heed of his shoutings

 

[brogdale]

the closed off Hamlet at the bottom of the shellness road is a bit mad. Some furious duffer claiming it was all private including the road itself used to get there. Obviously I took heed of his shoutings

Really quite annoying, isn't it, particularly as it leads to such a magical natural environment of the Shellness spit with it's beaches full of birds and magnificent views across the Swale to the mainland. The back path is usually ok, but the silly wankers who live there always put up gaslighting signs about the nesting birds (whatever time of the year) just to discourage the unwary from accessing the ness.

 

[brogdale]

View across to the Isle from Whitstable this evening.

 

[steeplejack]

I made it for a jaunt around Sheppey today and it was fun taking some photos. Amazing place & landscape.

Also overheard some touching relationship advice whilst eating my luch on the sea front. From (I assume) father to daughter: “JUS’ GROW A PAIR OF BOLLOCKS AN TELL IM TO FUCK OFF”

 

[brogdale]

I made it for a jaunt around Sheppey today and it was fun taking some photos. Amazing place & landscape.

Also overheard some touching relationship advice whilst eating my luch on the sea front. From (I assume) father to daughter: “JUS’ GROW A PAIR OF BOLLOCKS AN TELL IM TO FUCK OFF”

Paying respects to Uwe's old gaff

 

[BigMoaner]

Miss my parents caravan so much. Sailing down the m2 on a Friday with the kids to the utter peace and quiet of most of the island. There was nothing much to do on it but over the years it sort of became it's usp.

 

[ska invita]

unacceptable attempt at Sheppey shaming

 

[brogdale]

unacceptable attempt at Sheppey shaming

nah, really?