When I was planning the next stage of my Saxon Shore Way jaunt I noticed that the Isle of Sheppey was very close to the route. And so, since I’m still working on Project 101, I decided to keep this particular stage short, and visit the island while I was there.
So to that end, I planned to walk from Sittingbourne to Swale then hop on the train to Queenborough Station and spend some time walking around the island and exploring.
I’m not going to write about the actual walk at this stage because I want to write up the other stages from when I started, so instead I’ll share my brief excursion to my 20th island and 66th bridge of some note.
I got a little more than I bargained for; a very hot day and a very well timed, albeit coincidental event.
I really wasn’t sure about visiting the island coz of reports I’d had from previous visitors, but an opportunity is to taken up at the time. I was pleasantly surprised.
Like most of the south east seaside towns, the spirit of the High Street has been lost and its mostly charity shops and cafés and adhoc shops with a few interesting independent shops interspersed. But I wasn’t here for the shopping…so onwards
The clock tower is very pretty and I enjoyed a lot of the architecture.
A bonus windmill
After a short excursion through Sheerness-on-Sea, I headed for the beach planning on first cooling my feet in the sea (my daughter suggested I strip down to my underwear and go for a swim 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤪🤪 Don’t want to scare the locals!! Instead I just stood with my feet in the water…bliss!
And then because I’m insane and generally like punishing myself, I decided to walk along the promenade till it ran out and then walk inland to Minster-on-Sea. Why? Seriously. I do have some daft ideas. It was 25degrees and blazing hot, but I may never visit again, so….
The coastline is absolutely gorgeous, albeit mostly stones and little beach – ouch!!
The bonus surprise came just before I left the Saxon Shore Way for the train station 🚉 to Sheppey. I was sitting on a lovely bench eating my lunch when I heard the warning signal and looked behind me. I noticed a section of the bridge being raised and then I saw the tanker making its way upstream…
It reminded me of how Tower Bridge lifts when large vessels enter London Pool. Ever so exciting to watch these innovative feats of engineering. Lucky me.
My thoughts on the Isle of Sheppey? I loved it, and will return another day and spend more time walking, especially through the nature reserve.
Sounds like you had a lovely walk around Sheppey, the weather seriously helped didn’t it? Visited several times and not sure it’s ever looked quite as nice as your photos though. Looks worth exploring again.
😊😊 thank you, yes, my daughter said the same thing. Bright blue skies do help for sure. I did enjoy the walk despite the heat.
Say what … 20th island and 66th bridge …? You are one busy lady!
Lovely photo’s and yes, I also loved the bonus at the end of your post – you never know what interesting things you might find on a walk and you’ve just proved that 😁.
😁😁 that’s over the years of my life. When I conceived the idea of Project 101, I had a look back…can’t remember all the places, but certainly more recent history. Having this project helps to plan my trips…and I have at one time managed 5 in 1….
[…] taking my grandson on outings, plus a 19 km jaunt along the Saxon Shore Way and a brief visit to Sheppey Island, on Thursday 10th June I impulsively decided to walk another 2 stages of the Thames Path! I had […]