Thanks for bringing back many memories. I was born in Sheerness in 1947 and of course, Sheppey was much different then. The old swale bridge, Blue town and fun for us kids where the submarine nets and buoys just over the railway towards the docks, we had great fun playing amongst them plus standing on the railway bridge crossing close by getting covered in steam when the steam trains went under the bridge (little things please..). The town was pretty unspectacular with I suppose the clock tower being the highlight. One thing that always fascinated me was Bon Marche near the Catholic church in the broadway, the way money the money was collected with the overhead rails. I left the Island in 1959 to complete an early training program for the Navy. Got married to an angel in the 1970's. After a few short rentals, we bought our own house in Sheerness and after a few years moved to Warden Bay. I was never one to denigrate the Island, in fact, quite the reverse, in fact the naval history and to be associated with Lord Nelson and Cornwallis (actually I have read that Nelson disliked Bluetown very much as his wish was to always be at sea) and Bluetown!! what history that town had. Anyway I spent 10 years in the London overspill at warden bay and they were the best ten years of my life, the neighbours were to a fault fantastic. Due to circumstances, we had to move back to Sheerness in 1986. On leaving the navy I had a job (the only job I used to go to my shift 1 hour early, it was the best civvy job I ever had) Sadly my wife contracted Cancer and was diagnosed late stage 3 but she was a fighter she lost the battle in 94, she was young and it had a devastating effect. I think I just wandered around for a few years and moved to Cumbria. I met a Mexican lady and after a short friendship we married and moved abroad in 2000. Since then we have lived and moved to America and now to Spain for over 20 years. I did return for a very short trip 10 years ago and could not believe the transformation of the Island! I have heard some complain but I was amazed but it pays to move away for some time and return to appreciate the changes. Sorry about the book above but the video brought back so many memories. I have mentioned the memories of warden bay and I wish to come back to the story in the Vid. First, Somewhere in Seasalter close in warden bay someone lives in my Castle:-) if you listen hard enough you will hear 10 wonderful years of parties, youngsters having great fun and you may even see some of the wonderful neighbours I had the pleasure of living around. I used to walk every day at around 6am from WB to leysdown and the air was so fresh you could almost understand if some charged for it, in fact the whole Island had the freshest air I have ever breathed. Can anyone remember the Disco some wealthy family bought in the road leading down to the beach? we had some fantastic groups live, Boney M, Village people and many more. We used to walk along to the hamlet at Shellness and obviously passed the nudist beach (they actually had the best part of the beach), one day we noticed a man walking his dog towards the beach and he tried to give the impression that he was trying to retrieve his dog and yet whenever he got near he would chase the dog into the bathers instead of catching his pet, and yes he was wearing a raincoat. We used the Harty ferry inn many Saturdays and I can honestly say the best pub/inn I have ever been in. I also remember seeing the ex navy landing craft used as a ferry across the Swale. I would never drink and drive (true) and always had a lift to the pub which meant that I would walk from WB to the ferry inn on Sunday morning around 7am, it is surprising what you miss when going anywhere by car. On a Sunny day, i really enjoyed the 6/7 mile walk. We went to the church at Harty on Christmas eve, the vicar was proper fire and brimstone almost condemning those who chose the pub over the church. One day I am going to have to make up my mind whether C. America or Spain? however, there could be a third option........ Many thanks, Born2Explore, I will subscribe and once again apologizes for a long post. I have travelled to many parts of the world but taking all into account I will always be a man of Kent or a Kentish man???? Adios amigos
Visited Sheppy for the first time last week, and spent a very enjoyable couple of days exploring. It certainly wouldn't appeal to everyone being quite run down and very industrial in places, but also with great nature reserves and views. It's an island of extremes and worth a visit.
I have long enjoyed the peace and quiet that the church at Harty provides ... and the Ferry Inn has fed and watered - well, maybe not 'watered' (cough) - myself, my family and my friends on many occasions. Always followed by a walk as far down the slipway as possible....
Oddly enough John I love visiting cemeteries (I'm a bit odd like that :-) ) The peace is as you say. The cemetery at Halfway road has so much history, I even found one of a sailor who served with Nelson and I believe was at Trafalgar. Just a thought, I looked up for houses to rent in Warden bay and was astounded at the price! I rented in Barcelona which was cheaper than that being quoted in Warden Bay.
Thanks for bringing back many memories. I was born in Sheerness in 1947 and of course, Sheppey was much different then. The old swale bridge, Blue town and fun for us kids where the submarine nets and buoys just over the railway towards the docks, we had great fun playing amongst them plus standing on the railway bridge crossing close by getting covered in steam when the steam trains went under the bridge (little things please..). The town was pretty unspectacular with I suppose the clock tower being the highlight. One thing that always fascinated me was Bon Marche near the Catholic church in the broadway, the way money the money was collected with the overhead rails. I left the Island in 1959 to complete an early training program for the Navy. Got married to an angel in the 1970's. After a few short rentals, we bought our own house in Sheerness and after a few years moved to Warden Bay. I was never one to denigrate the Island, in fact, quite the reverse, in fact the naval history and to be associated with Lord Nelson and Cornwallis (actually I have read that Nelson disliked Bluetown very much as his wish was to always be at sea) and Bluetown!! what history that town had. Anyway I spent 10 years in the London overspill at warden bay and they were the best ten years of my life, the neighbours were to a fault fantastic.
Due to circumstances, we had to move back to Sheerness in 1986. On leaving the navy I had a job (the only job I used to go to my shift 1 hour early, it was the best civvy job I ever had) Sadly my wife contracted Cancer and was diagnosed late stage 3 but she was a fighter she lost the battle in 94, she was young and it had a devastating effect. I think I just wandered around for a few years and moved to Cumbria. I met a Mexican lady and after a short friendship we married and moved abroad in 2000. Since then we have lived and moved to America and now to Spain for over 20 years. I did return for a very short trip 10 years ago and could not believe the transformation of the Island! I have heard some complain but I was amazed but it pays to move away for some time and return to appreciate the changes.
Sorry about the book above but the video brought back so many memories. I have mentioned the memories of warden bay and I wish to come back to the story in the Vid. First, Somewhere in Seasalter close in warden bay someone lives in my Castle:-) if you listen hard enough you will hear 10 wonderful years of parties, youngsters having great fun and you may even see some of the wonderful neighbours I had the pleasure of living around.
I used to walk every day at around 6am from WB to leysdown and the air was so fresh you could almost understand if some charged for it, in fact the whole Island had the freshest air I have ever breathed. Can anyone remember the Disco some wealthy family bought in the road leading down to the beach? we had some fantastic groups live, Boney M, Village people and many more.
We used to walk along to the hamlet at Shellness and obviously passed the nudist beach (they actually had the best part of the beach), one day we noticed a man walking his dog towards the beach and he tried to give the impression that he was trying to retrieve his dog and yet whenever he got near he would chase the dog into the bathers instead of catching his pet, and yes he was wearing a raincoat.
We used the Harty ferry inn many Saturdays and I can honestly say the best pub/inn I have ever been in. I also remember seeing the ex navy landing craft used as a ferry across the Swale. I would never drink and drive (true) and always had a lift to the pub which meant that I would walk from WB to the ferry inn on Sunday morning around 7am, it is surprising what you miss when going anywhere by car. On a Sunny day, i really enjoyed the 6/7 mile walk. We went to the church at Harty on Christmas eve, the vicar was proper fire and brimstone almost condemning those who chose the pub over the church.
One day I am going to have to make up my mind whether C. America or Spain? however, there could be a third option........
Many thanks, Born2Explore, I will subscribe and once again apologizes for a long post. I have travelled to many parts of the world but taking all into account I will always be a man of Kent or a Kentish man????
Adios amigos
Visited Sheppy for the first time last week, and spent a very enjoyable couple of days exploring. It certainly wouldn't appeal to everyone being quite run down and very industrial in places, but also with great nature reserves and views. It's an island of extremes and worth a visit.
loving these videos. real exploration of a lovely area. Looking forward to future episodes. thanks
I have long enjoyed the peace and quiet that the church at Harty provides ... and the Ferry Inn has fed and watered - well, maybe not 'watered' (cough) - myself, my family and my friends on many occasions. Always followed by a walk as far down the slipway as possible....
Oddly enough John I love visiting cemeteries (I'm a bit odd like that :-) ) The peace is as you say. The cemetery at Halfway road has so much history, I even found one of a sailor who served with Nelson and I believe was at Trafalgar.
Just a thought, I looked up for houses to rent in Warden bay and was astounded at the price! I rented in Barcelona which was cheaper than that being quoted in Warden Bay.