Footbridge....

This is the footbridge over the Thanet Way and links Herne with Herne Bay, it is also a cycle path so take care when crossing, and make sure not to walk on the red side, as this is for the cyclist...

The House On The Hill....

I spotted this house on a walk along the cliff tops in Beltinge. I suspect that from the top of this house the view of Reculver towers is phenomenal!
I personally don't know who lives in this wonderful house but it has been suggested that Alan Davies lives here... or at least owns the property! I cannot find anything to support that suggestion, but there it is.... I said it out loud!

NO.

Herne Bay bandstand is situated on the seafront, and many concerts and fairs take place inside it. Just a tip, I wouldn't do anything on the sign above otherwise many a person will tell you off!

Graffiti

While I was out walking I spotted this graffiti on the subway wall that passes beneath the Thanet Way. Some People would call this art, I will leave it up to you to decide what you think it is......

Would You Eat Here??

If you take a wander along the sea front in Herne Bay, you're bound to find yourself in the vicinity of the bandstand. The area has been developed and with tables and chairs available outside, you could find yourself tempted to take a seat to enjoy a bite to eat and a drink. On the weekend, there are often exhibitions and/or entertainment within the confines of the bandstand.... With all this on offer, would it be fair to suggest that these tables would NOT inspire you to stop!

Reculver Towers

Reculver is a popular summer resort, 1 mile north of Herne Bay. The Towers are now on the edge of a cliff, and since the church yard has been lost to the sea, the towers are at risk of being eroded away, and forgotten.

Jet Skiing.....

Some people love them, some people hate them because of the noise, but the fact remains Herne Bay attracts lots of people with jet ski's.....They spend the day on the beach with their picnics, making it a family day out and seem to have lots of fun...

Benches.....

I have a real passion for benches.... Yeah weird I know... I haven't yet decided what it is about benches that I love, is it the shape, construction or the fact its somewhere you can rest your weary bones! I have to confess that anyone who knows me, knows that if I stumble across an empty bench my hands start to tremble and before you know it, I'm clicking away with my trusty 350d!

These benches are located along the seafront in Herne Bay. If you're sitting here you have a clear view of the Waltrop gardens. Considering it was really busy along the sea front, which was probably due to the fine weather... I was surprised to find this whole row of benches empty! I can confirm I did not evict any tourist or local from these benches in order to get this picture!

Watch out for more photographs of unsuspecting benches =0)

Tiring Day?

Obviously these two must have had a hard day, they were sleeping on the seafront in the Waltrop Gardens that decorate the promenade area. They are called the 'Waltrop Gardens' because Waltrop in Germany is one of Herne Bay's sister towns, as well as Wimereux in France, which has gardens named after itself near the swimming pool.

The Clock Tower...

Herne Bay's seafront is home to the world's first freestanding purpose-built clock tower, it is 80ft high and was built in 1837, and was funded by a wealthy London lady!

Boats.....

I love these boats, they're just sitting on the beach... waiting! I love the way the colours of the boats and their covers compliment each other and the eeriness of the sky!

The Beach.....

Isn't that the name of some dodgy film starring Leonardo Di Caprio???? Oops, think I was a bit side tracked there....

Here is a photograph of the beach in Herne Bay, I think it supports an earlier post about the lack of sand on the beach!

Can you see Reculver Towers in the distance?? I will be sure to post a close up of the towers soon =0)

Save Our Visitors Centre..... Or What????

To be honest, I didn't even know that Canterbury City Council was planning on closing the visitors centre that is housed in the Bandstand along the sea front! I stumbled accross this poster when wandering through the town centre....

If you take a closer look at the poster you will see it is suggested that the closure of the visitors centre will have an adverse impact on tourist trade in Herne Bay.... Read here for further details!

The Ship Inn

The Ship Inn is reputed to be the oldest building in Herne Bay, believed to have been built in and around 1385. The pub is situated on the sea front with beautiful views across the bay.

I have eaten in this pub and to be honest, I wasn't impressed!!! Maybe that's because its sooooooooooo very old!! LOL

Shopping Trolleys.....

I have to say that sometimes I find myself a little surprised and today was one of those days.... It was late on Sunday, all the shops were shut and as I wandered past the local Herne Bay Co op I spotted these shopping trolleys.... sitting nicely outside the back entrance of the town centre store!

Now I'm not suggesting that Herne Bay is full of miscreants or thugs, or youths with time on their hands, but I am hard pushed to consider that these trolleys are actually safe... lets face it, if you have a pound coin, trolley coin or some other object similar to the aforementioned coins, it has to be said... Help Your Self!!!

Out Of The Ordinary......

I took a wander along the sea front in Herne Bay yesterday and was surprised to stumble across the house pictured below. As you will see there is a menagerie of items placed in the road and on the pavement... this is a public highway... admittedly the road is closed at one end, but even so, the bench and table have been carefully situated in the middle of the road.... Have a closer look and see if you can spot the eclectic mix of things both inside and outside of this property!

Did you notice.... The rocking horse on the veranda, the shop dummy in the upstairs window or the fact that there are simply 'no vacancies' in this particular property!

The Water Tower

The 100 foot tall concrete water tower overlooking Herne Bay from the top of Mickleburgh Hill is now only used as a base for radio transmitters.

Although it is a bit of an 'eye sore', it is one of those land marks that anyone and everyone knows.... However, it would appear this long standing land mark is under threat because South East Water have put it on the market.... The question is... do we need more houses in Herne Bay???

Herne Windmill....

I simply love windmills... I don't know why, but I just do.... Luckily for me, there are several windmills located close to Herne Bay, so when seeking a photo opportunity, I don't need to travel far.... This is Herne Windmill....
Herne Windmill stands on a site that has had a mill for 600 years according to ancient Canterbury and County records. This relatively recent traditional Kentish *Smock Mill stands on a high down overlooking the village of Herne, on the outskirts of the seaside town of Herne Bay, in Kent.

(*The name smock mill comes from the appearance of the mill (from a distance) resembling a peasant wearing a smock. Tower mills like Herne Mill have the cap (the shape like an unturned boat on the top) rotate on a solid base; the other type of mill, a Post Mill, has the whole mill rotating around a central post.)

Herne Mill is equipped with three pairs of millstones: two pairs of French Burrs and a pair of Derbyshire Peak Stones. The refurbished sweeps (or sails) shown in the image here have only half the number of shutters of the original mill. In case you wondered, the sails turn anti-clockwise and it's surprisingly quiet inside the mill when the brake is off and the sweeps are turning.

You can find out more about Herne Windmill here!

Not Again!

Yes, this is another photo of Neptune's Arm, but this photo makes Herne Bay look sunny :).

Private Land.....

This photograph was taken in Reculver.... The sign, refers to the Wildfowling And Conservation Association..... a local association who apparently shoot birds!.... I suppose its not just any birds, but nevertheless... they are still Birds!! You can read more here!
I was inspired to take this photograph because I thought the formation of rocks looks a bit like a Cairn! You can read more about Cairns here!

In short, in modern times cairns are often erected as landmarks. In ancient times they were erected as sepulchral monuments, or used for practical and astronomical uses. They are built for several purposes: They may mark a burial site, and may memorialize the dead, they may be used to commemorate events: anything from a battle site, to the place where a cart tipped over, and some are merely places where farmers have collected stones removed from a field.

A Terrible Sight

Many children went back to school last week, and we didn't even have a nice summer?

Bucket & Spade

It is difficult to comprehend why someone might need a Bucket and Spade on Herne Bay beach.... after all, there are very few opportunities to build sand castles!!

Hampton Skyline

This is Hampton, with stormy clouds overhead. So much for summer huh!

St Martin's Church, Herne

Herne, a tiny village just inland of the bay, is blessed with a magnificent church that boasts many historical associations in it's own right. It is built from a combination of flint and ragstone and work commenced during the 14th century.

Probably it's most famous incumbent was Nicholas Ridley, vicar in 1538. He became bishop of Rochester in 1541 and then Bishop of London in 1544. Once in London, he was automatically involved in affairs of State.

Unfortunately for him, he chose to support Lady Jane Grey's claim to the throne of England (rather than Mary). That choice was to cost him his life. After a religious debate at Oxford, he was found guilty of heresy. His punishment was to be burnt at the stake on 16 October 1555, along with bishop Hugh Latimer.
I used a 'Fish eye' lens to take this picture, I like it because I love the effect the fish eye lens affords the picture. I know another black and white picture, but on this occassion, I feel it gives the photograph an eerie and quirky feel.

Old is New

Many old cars can be found in the Bay, I personally think they have alot more class than the new ones.

If You Are Lost.....

Don't panic because this sign post will make sure you know exactly where you want to go!

Herne Bay Festival

Every August, during the summer holidays, there is a festival which holds many events, such as dancing for teenagers to the traditional seaside fun things like crabbing and sandcastle competitions.

Diversity....

It never ceases to amaze me that Herne Bay is often the resort of choice for many people, bringing colour and diversity into our sleepy seaside town.
Although this picture wasn't taken today, I felt compelled to post it, simply because I love the fact that it doesn't matter what religion you may be, it's always good to relax by the sea with a good book!

Neptune's Arm

Neptune Arm is a man-made promenade built to be a defence. At the end of the Arm there is a spiral staircase, taking you up a level to get a view out at sea, and you can see all the way down to Reculver.

Don't You Just Love.....

Beach Huts....

These beach huts can be found in the area of Hampton, Herne Bay. I love the way the huts curve along the bend.... and I just love this picture! I'm not biased tho!