tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post881479063427954928..comments2024-03-27T21:54:24.933+00:00Comments on SWC - This Week's Walks: Saturday Walk - Whitstable Oyster Festival – Birchington-on-Sea to Whitstable [Easy Walk] [Swimming Walk]Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11395064086819994526noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-14023407237252945212017-07-23T11:51:47.123+01:002017-07-23T11:51:47.123+01:0020 walkers alighted from the train, amongst whom w...20 walkers alighted from the train, amongst whom was a group of 4 first-timers. Initially we walked along the clifftop, but soon descended to the waterside cliff bottom concrete path. Up to Reculver it was overcast with lots of sun breaking through, and the sea was a wee bit smelly initially (must have been the seaweed and algae?). The many beach huts, some short sandy beaches and a cafe (The Windshack) were interesting features on this stretch, guided by the far away Reculver ruins. <br />Reculver itself did not disappoint: some very good info panels explaining the history of the Isle of Thanet, the ex-Roman fort site and the ruined monastery church and its towers.<br />On to the King Ethelbert Inn for most of the group, where we were met by another walker who had arrived on a later train from Victoria. Our seats were outside, the service was efficient and the food ok. Life was good.<br />On to Herne Bay, with a windmill farm out at sea dominating the view. Some stopped at Makcari's in the old bandstand for ice cream or cream tea, others went ahead.<br />The stretch to Whistable is then more built-up, but still has a grassy nature reserve on offer. By now it was completely overcast and the threat of rain was in the air. Up to the top of Tankerton Slopes, where the Oyster Festival has been relocated this year after too many protests from businesses and residents in the centre of Whitstable. It consisted of some fairground attractions and lots of food stalls, but - bizarrely - only one oyster stall!<br />Just as we had convinced ourselves that we should move on to the centre to check out the offerings there, a heavy 15 minute downpour started, splitting the remining group in the rush to put on waterproofs or to find shelter.<br />About two handfuls reunited at the Lobster Shack, initially outside, then migrating inside when a table was freed up. There we stayed for quite a while, rotating in placing more orders for seafood and drink.<br />We had already linked up with three other SWC stalwarts who had walked in from Herne Bay, taking to the sea along the way for a revogorating swim, but they decided to keep exploring the delightful Whistatble. <br />Most of the Lobster Shack group then let another train go, prefering to sit on the pebble beach outside the Whitstable Oyster Bar with one last drink, taking in the couldscapes and the sun's rays breaking through them.<br />20.50 train for those. <br />So, n=24 in total, with the weather w=overcast-with-sunny-breaks for the fast walkers that got to Whitstable before the downpour.Thomas Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01298846868417688062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-64341385758144812752017-07-16T12:20:29.823+01:002017-07-16T12:20:29.823+01:00It is high tide at Herne Bay at 12.13 today. This ...It is high tide at Herne Bay at 12.13 today. This means good swimming in the morning of this walk and early afternoon: after this time the sea retreats a long way over mud and shingle at both Herne Bay and Whitstable. So get your swims in early. <br /><br />The main beach at Birchington (not the first bit of coast you come to, but a little way into the walk) is actually quite a nice place to swim when the tide is high.<br /><br />From memory there is also a small swimmable beach at Reculver: possibly other places between Birchington and Reculver too, but this is where I remember swimming in the past.Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09314024151810191831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-6172719052521686842017-06-23T19:04:44.253+01:002017-06-23T19:04:44.253+01:00Great idea ;)Great idea ;)Keldanoreply@blogger.com