Isle of Sheppey
"What country pray is this?"' Proud home to Europe's largest manufacturer of garden gnomes, Sheppey retains a sense of independence from neighbouring England. Things here have often seemed a cultural decade or two behind the mainland - but are changing now, in part because the "new" bridge (July 2006) has made access from England much quicker and more reliable. A bit rough, poor and rather shabby in parts, Sheppey is still full of surprises.
Tides generally flood from the East and Ebb to the West, except on the South side, ie http://towerhamletscanoeclub.co.uk/content/SeaAccess.aspx#Swale, which is fed from both ends. Tide times can all be taken as Sheerness. Circumnavigation of the island (45-50K) makes a nice day trip.
0k | map | QUEENBOROUGH 24hr slipway into the Swale, near its junction with the Medway, and just round the corner from the charming but rather muddy Town Quay (HW +-2h ?). Toilets, free parking. |
xk | [http:// map] | title notes |
- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4367,0.7970%28Barton%27s%20Point%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.4367,0.7970(Barton's%20Point)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Barton's Point
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- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3947,0.9311%28Leysdown%20on%20Sea%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3947,0.9311(Leysdown%20on%20Sea)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Leysdown on Sea
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- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3693,0.9429%28Shell%20Ness%20-%20Sheppey%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3693,0.9429(Shell%20Ness%20-%20Sheppey)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | Shell Ness - Sheppey
launch into the Swale, or a classic lunch spot. Car access possible from nearby Leysdown, then a portage or trolley for the last few hundred meters. Avoid the roped-off bird sanctuary, just West of the concrete bunker. |
- | <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3549,0.8919%28Harty%20Ferry%20North%29&z=14" mce_href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.3549,0.8919(Harty%20Ferry%20North)&z=14" target="_blank">map</a> | HARTY FERRY (NORTH)
Shadwell Basin this pub feels more isolated than you would believe possible. Until relatively recently, they had only "well" water and generated their own electricity. Car access is a little complicated, which is probably why it's so nice ! One of the few places that's easier to reach by Kayak than by road. |
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