Happy New Year!

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and hope you enjoy visiting are blog....

Post Christmas High Street Blues....

Stroll along the Promenade

Herne Bay is blessed with many walks, this one along the promenade will take you to Reculver, you can see the Towers in the distance.

Empty Shops... Whatever Is Occuring...

It would appear that where ever you look in Herne Bay another shop has closed its doors... It is very sad to see the town disappearing before our eyes and watching the buildings deteriorate!

The Old Brown Teapot Cafe

The Old Brown Teapot Cafe is in Beltinge, a nice place to stop and have coffee with a piece of homemade cake, or even a hot dinner if you don't feel like cooking....

Deserted Streets.....

With Christmas over it's curious to note that already some shops are open for business, however by the looks of these empty chairs no one has any room left to taste the culinary delights of the local cafe!

Merry Christmas!

Love them or hate them people like to decorate their homes at christmas, here are two that are lit up near where I live, Merry Christmas!

View from the Pier

As it was such a lovely day on Sunday, I decided it was time to take a few photos, this is a view looking from the pier out towards Whitstable

Its a SNOW person

This little fellow was spotted sitting in the window of the hairdressers in Herne Bay!

The Beacon Church

This is the Beacon Church, you can find it in Sea Street. I missed the Christmas Carol Service as it was yesterday!

Fair Trade

For more than 15 years the co-op have been at the forefront of Responsible Retailing Issues.
In 2008 the co-op conducted the world’s largest consumer poll on Food Ethics. 100,000 of it's members gave them their backing and they launched their Food Ethical Policy.

Yay for the Co-op and it's commitment to fair trade. And you can visit this particular store in Herne Bay at the top of the town =0)

Neptunes Arm

This is a close up photo of the end of Neptunes Arm......

Art Gallery and Museum

If you take yourself along to William Street you will find Herne Bay's very own Art Gallery Museum!

This bright and modern museum highlights the history of the Victorian seaside resort of Herne Bay and its surrounding area. Themes include seaside holidays and attractions, the town's piers and the development of the resort. Find out about the town's famous clock tower (once the tallest in the country) and have your photo taken through a traditional seaside Aunt Sally!

Take a walk...

If you take a walk down this road, you will end up on the sea front, its ok walking down but its quite steep walking back.

KARAOKE... Oh Yes....

If you're in need of some entertainment mid week, then get yourself down to the Bun Penny for a dose of Karoke.... Its sure to put a smile on your face =0)

Closed for winter....

In these winter days, the Herne Bay amusements hardly ever open for business seeing as the seafront is more often than not deserted.

Antiques....

I think its fair to ponder that society today lives in a world of disposable items.... We buy cheap and discard quickly! It is therefore interesting to see a shop selling 'antiques'.... or maybe this is a modern day sign for the 'old peoples residential home'!! I wonder!

L'ESCARGOT

A corner of France can be deliciously explored in Herne Bay High Street. Culinary excellence is the hallmark of the French and Alain & Joyce Bessemoulin have earned a reputation over the last 23 years at their restaurant for high quality traditional French dishes, with an added touch of individuality from chef Alain.

They pride themselves on providing fresh local produce whenever possible and on friendly, efficient service in a cosy atmosphere.

The restaurant has attracted recognition from many food guides and over the years has seen valued loyal customers, who visited with their parents, now bring their own children to sample the French cuisine.

Alain Bessemoulin said: “We pride ourselves on cooking simple French Cooking. Traditional dishes are given an added touch with my delightful sauces!”

Street Signs...

I have to confess there isn't very much to say about this street sign.... It's pretty much the same as any other you may find around Herne Bay...

However, put simply... I just love this photograph.... I hope you do to!

Hot Dog...

I Couldnt resist taking a picture of this giant Hot Dog, it was outside a cafe on the sea front.

Totally Leaf-Less....

As winter takes hold, its time to enjoy the beauty of the Naked Tree....

Footbridge

As I have previously posted a photo of this bridge from the top, I thought I would show you what the bridge looks like from underneath.

Modern Sculpture...

You will find this piece of art located in Mortimer Street in Herne Bay.... Standing comfortably outside New Look.
I love this statue, however must express my disappointment that it appears to have been somewhat neglected =0(

Victorian Houses

If you like architecture then take a walk along Central Parade, you will find this row of Victorian houses...

Keep Giving To Charity....

It has to be said, Herne Bay has more than its fair share of Charity shops.... This is the NCH shop on Mortimer Street.... next door to Woolworth's....

You will see someone has left a bag of unwanted items outside.... As there is no door way these gifts sit on the street... Do you think anyone ever steals the bags of donations?

Little Theatre

This charming little 72 seat theatre, is owned by an award winning drama society. They are members of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain, and affiliated with the Kent Drama Association and Canterbury Arts Council. Every year, they aim to produce six full length productions (including a Pantomime, of course), and there thriving youth theatre performs an additional two full length productions each year. They also host a calender of social events for there members, and are pleased to welcome touring theatre companies to there stage from time to time.
The society was first formed back in 1947, performing in various venues, until there 40th year when they opened there new theatre in Bullers Avenue. Having recently celebrated there 60th anniversary, they are also celebrating the near completion of there Stage II project to extend, update and renovate there lovely little theatre and after two years of fundraising and hard work, and a final push when they received a generous grant of £76,651 from the Big Lottery Fund, the project has finally come to fruition in the form of new wheelchair access to the audiotorium, a new toilet block, bar area and kitchen.
The changes will provide much more comfort, especially for the elderly, the visually and hearing impaired and will benefit an estimated 3,000 people.

Would You Notice.....

this sign post?

And if you did.... would you actually pay any attention to it??? This colourful notice can be found on Bank Street.

Barnes Wallis

A new statue of aeronautical engineer Sir Barnes Wallis was unveiled on Saturday 15 November 2008. The statue is sited on the Downs Beacon Hill, close to the Kings Hall, and looks out towards Reculver where tests of the "bouncing bombs" took place.
The statue was funded with £78,000 of lottery money, and sculpted ... in America! It now forms part of the Herne Bay Cultural Trail.Barnes Neville Wallis was born the son of a doctor on 26 September 1887 in Ripley, Derbyshire. Wallis worked first at a marine engineering firm and in 1913 he moved to Vickers, where he designed airships, including the R100. In 1930 Wallis transferred to working on aircraft. His achievements included the first use of geodesic design in engineering, which was used in his development of the Wellesley and Wellington bombers. When World War Two began in 1939, Wallis was Assistant Chief Designer at Vickers Aviation section. Barnes Wallis went onto design the bouncing bomb, where he held the trials off of the shores of Herne Bay.

Tea shops

If you're shopping in Herne Bay and feel a little thirsty, you won't struggle to find somewhere to rest your weary feet and enjoy a cup of your favorite afternoon delight.

Here at Wades they serve HUGE slices of home made cake which I have to confess are lush! From the outside this coffee shop looks huge, but inside its surprising small!

Mural......

This Mural is located on the wall next to the council office in William street, near the Heron swimming pool, if you would like to take a peek.......

Little Britain.... and the Bun Penny

OK, now you may be wondering why I've posted a photograph of a public house.... It may appear this has little to do with Little Britain... (assuming you're thinking David Walliams and Matt Lucas!)...

Well for those of you who don't know, during season 1 of 'Little Britain', some of the sketches were actually filmed in Herne Bay.... and the outside of this pub was part of an 'Emily Howard' sketch... That aside, I think this building is actually aesthetically pleasing =0)

Doggy Paddle!

While I was out walking along the seafront on a chilly day, I spotted this cute dog who had decided to take a dip in the water and have a swim. He obviously didn't find the the cold November weather a deterent!

I Can See The Sea.....

Can You??

Herne Bay Court

This is the entrance to the Christian Centre, it was open for at least 25 years and was used for Holidays and Conferences.
At the moment it stands empty waiting for someone to buy it!

A Doctor, who liked a drink or two, once owned the building. He was barred from every hostelry in the area, so he applied to his friend, the magistrate for a license and the Bun Penny has been a licensed premises ever since. There is a ghost, of a woman, it could be his wife or one of his patients! She sits on the stairs in the saloon bar and regularly takes a walk around the pub and garden. The Bun Penny is a large Victorian building with wonderful views of the sea from the bar and the restaurant.

Fishing!

Fishing seems to be very popular in Herne Bay, but it would appear you have to be very patient, at least the weather was nice........

One Little Duck.....

Went swimming one day..... Not sure where his friends were hiding out tho!

This little fella can be found swimming around the pond in the Herne Bay Memorial Park.

Bench with a view......

This looks like a nice place to take a rest, and admire the view, it is located at the top of the Downs and overlooks the sea!

Turbines

From the beach in Herne Bay you will see a collection of Wind Turbines.... I'm not really sure where they are... are they in Herne Bay, Whitstable or further a field... Guess I should research that one!

Anyway with my trusty zoom on a clear day, here is the result of one of the many Turbines waving at us in the distance.

Thatched Cottage

This cottage looks as if it should be on a chocolate box, but it is situated on the cliff top between Beltinge and Herne Bay, and has a lovely view out to sea

Cogs

When out taking photographs I try not to miss an opportunity to crop in close to my subject... I love this photograph of the cogs of a piece of rusting machinery.

This photograph was taken along the beach at Hampton.

Toadstools

Are these Toadstools or Mushrooms, they were growing at the base of a tree in Beltinge.
Maybe someone can tell me?

Caution....

Climbing on rocks can be dangerous! Like that isn't obvious! =0)

These rocks are located in Reculver adjacent to the carpark that leads to Reculver Ruins... I have to confess that the desire to climb on these rocks is more than a little tempting! I do wonder if this sign actually deters people from climbing!

Bartholomew Hall

Batholomew Hall is next to Batholomew Church.
Such a shame that the Hall is looking like this, the Brownies and Scouts used to meet here, and there was a pre-school here for a long time but it has been closed for at least five years to my knowledge, I wonder what will become of it?

It's A Dawg!!

How cute is this little fella....

Now I am a big lover of dogs and seeing a little chap like this bounding along the footpath beside the beach huts in Hampton only leaves me smiling! However I am always curious as to whether it is OK to have your dog off the lead.... After all, not everyone loves animals and some people are scared of dogs... no matter how small or cute they may look!

National Coastwatch Institution

Today on my walk around Herne Bay I came upon a building on the sea front that I had not noticed before. Whilst taking photos I was spotted by these two gentlemen and invited up to have a look round.
Each station is responsible for its own funding, providing equipment, maintenance of the building and the training of watchkeepers.
As well as keeping a visual lookout watchkeepers are able to give up to the minute information about local weather conditions before yachtsmen, fishermen etc, leave the harbour.
All staff are volunteers and the National Coastwatch Institution was founded in 1994 after two Cornish fishermen lost their lives below the recently closed coastguard lookout at Bass Point, and a group of local people decided to set it up to restore visual watch along the UK coast.
To find out more visit www.nci.org.uk .

It's a shame that they have only until 2010 in their present building as it has been bought by a private buyer, hopefully they will find another building nearby!

Walking In The Rain...

As much as Autumn is my favorite season, the volume of rain we have been experiencing is too much to bear!

Fancy House!

This house used to be Smeed's sign shop and is just of Mortimer Street, if you fancy a look!

Credit Crunch

With the ever gloomy credit crunch it must be a nightmare trying to sell a house, but more than that, having to pay some dodgy estate agent huge amounts of cash...

Well, it looks like this seller has got it right...

If in doubt...

DO IT YOURSELF!