Day 22 - The Home Run Around the Kent Coast

Actual Miles Driven Today - 222

I struck lucky when I left the Premier Inn.

Coming out of the Hotel I turned the wrong way and found myself heading back west wards towards the Battle of Britain Memorial. 

I was in luck as the Grass Cutting machine was at work there having opened the gate two hours early, so in I went.

The Capel le Ferne site on its 'White Cliffs Of Dover' cliff top location.

The Spitfire & Hurricanes in the morning mist.

The Central Statue in the Propeller 

The Roll of Honour from the Battle of Britain.

These Iconic Spitfires and Hurricanes say it all for me.

The Spitfire

It is a very moving experience just being there. 

I only just finished reading the story of the Battle of Britain before I set off on this journey. 

As I set out to leave the memorial there was a most heart wrenching moment as the Sea Fret started to roll up from below and over the cliff top. 

I immediately thought of all of those young men back then being faced with a similar vista as they raced in their aircraft out over the sea to take on the advancing enemy. 
Would they ever return?

Driving into Dover.

Just to remind me as I drove into Dover - Another 'Brick Watzit', a Motor Home this time.  - and then Dover Castle came into view through the mist.

This hill seems to go on forever.

The best view of the castle that I will get on this route.

No. There is an even  better view.

Driving near to the Docks I am not sure why everyone else in in the other lane?

The cliffs loom high above our heads now.

A misty view of the outer harbour frequented by  the cross channel ferries.

Going through St Margaret's at Cliffe.

Out of Dover the route took me to the coastal cul de sac which is St Margaret's Bay with a steep single track access road leading me down the cliff face with more hairpin bends.

I am on the steep hill leading down to the bay. It is quite a switchback road to get down here with two hairpin bends on the way.

St Margaret's Bay Car Park

Towards the sea mist of Dover



Another of my over the head shots taken as I am climbing back up the hill. 

On the A258 at Walmer is the RNLI Lifeboat Station. 

Driving into Deal I pass the castle too quickly so take a short loop around the one way system.

Deal Castle. Going past on the first run.

At Deal, after a double back, I found the Beach Road and the Squat Castle.

Back around the loop again and I head eastward towards Deal Pier.

Towards the red roof of the Royal Hotel before leaving Deal.

Through the narrow streets of Sandwich, set on the River Stour.

My route today will take me through Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Kingsgate and Margate.

Not really knowing where I am going I drive on through Sandwich without seeing the river.

It is a very pretty town with some lovely old buildings along the narrow roads.

I eventually leave via Strand Street and Ash Road to find myself on the A256.

Passing the Great Stoner Industrial Area.

The Massive Pfizer Pharmaceutical Factory

I am back on the coast at Cliffsend on Pegwell Bay.

There are still some White Cliffs visible in Ramsgate.

This Full Size Viking Long Boat is set  alongside the road outside of the now derelict Ramsgate Hoverport where the giant cross channel hovercraft used to operate from.

The run down around the harbour into Ramsgate.

These terraced roads add some character to the harbour area. 

The inner harbour is packed with sailing yachts.

The Marina looks typical of others full of boats going nowhere.

The Busy Ramsgate Harbour, with its old sea going Tug Boat being part of the Maritime Museum there.

The Royal Victoria Pavilion.

My overexposed shot of the route to the beach reflects the strength of the sun today.

The Ramsgate Harbour Slipways, of which there are three, are still busy as this Fishing Boat undergoes attention..

The Central Leisure area.

Being in desperate need of a comfort break, Jim, a keen Help for Heroes supporter, let me park the Mog in their Yard

.

Marine Engineers Jim & his Mate were moving a giant bronze propeller.

The Mog is temporarily tucked down the side of the workshop near to the slipways.

The Notices under the clock on the Maritime Museum say, 'The first stroke of this clock at the hour of 12 indicated Greenwich Mean Time.' and 'Ramsgate Mean Time is 5 mins 41 secs faster than this clock'

A Good View across the harbour.

Back on my way along the B2054 I pass the central Wellington Crescent.

Now along the High Level road of Victoria Parade.

Victoria Parade terminates at the Winterstoke Gardens and I have to turn back.

Back towards the Town Centre to find my way to Broadstairs.

I am in traffic again and find myself behind another Brick Watzit.
 

Still on the B2052 I am heading down the High Street towards the sea front.

On the Eastern Esplanade at Broadstairs.

Approaching the cliffs at Kingsgate Baywith the Sea Arch near to the end.

The Cliff Top Captain Digby 

Through Cliftonville 

The Lido Complex in Margate on the B2051.

The Interesting End Building of the Fort Paragon Terrace.

Approaching The Margate Sands.

On the Margate Parade or the B2051.

Margate Clock Tower.

Joining the A28 at the Standing Stones Roundabout.

The Lifeboatman Memorial Statue.

Yet another 'Brick Watzit' in the form of a local bus this time.

The Gardens on The Royal Esplanade at Westbrook

Along Westgate Bay

Somehow I have taken a wrong turn and am back on the A28 at Birchington on Sea. I need to get back to the sea front.

This whole area down to the sea front is full of residential roads of similar houses where all roads tend to look the same.

After some ducking and diving around the side roads I finally find my way down to this slipway at the west end of the Minnis Bay road.

I decide to turn to the right.

Completely empty of cars I decide to take a run eastwards along The Parade.

Proof Positive that I am actually at Minnis Bay.

Arriving at Herne Bay I am here on Beacon Hill and, to the right of the telephone box, I have just missed the statue of Barnes Wallis, the famous WW2 Designer of the Lancaster Bomber and the Dambusters Bouncing Bomb.

Sir Barnes Neville Wallis, who lived in the town and died in 1979, tested the bombs between Reculver and Herne Bay during the Second World War.

The statue on the corner of Canterbury Road and Beacon Hill forms part of the new Herne Bay Cultural Trail.

Central Parade, Herne Bay

The Herne Bay Clock Tower located next to the harbour.

The Central Bandstand building.

St Georges Terraace which is just opposite Herne Bay Pier.

At Western Esplanade the road dips down a hill for the first time.

The road then takes a sharp left turn. 

The view along the coast to Swalecliffe.

I am now on the B2205 driving into The Fishing Town of Whitstable

The road narrows considerably as I enter the one way system in the old town area.

I have no plans here but am enjoying these narrow streets.

I have decided to go around the one way system again to find the Harbour along Sea Street, passing Zizzi's Restaurant.

The Mog at Whitstable Harbour where I just go in and drive around a little first before finding a parking place.

On the Harbourside there is a Cafe specialising in Local Seafood Meals. Just perfect for a lunch stop

The Fishing Boats of Whitstable.

The view across to Shoeburyness and Southend on Sea where I began this circular trip 22 days ago.

Inside the Harbourside Fish Shop and Cafe.

Everything here is freshly caught.

No Ice Cream for me as I order a simple lunch of Crab Sandwiches and Coffee.

I sat at a table located on the harbours side and became fascinated by these very tame Plovers who were seeking their lunch as well.

Plovers Feeding on the Harbourside.

Typical of a working Fishing Port the harbourside is littered with nets and rope.

The view from my lunch table.

I loaned my Help 4 Heroes Cap to this Fisherman in traditional Waterproofs

In the car park I met a Morgan Roadster owning Hopmog member in full cycle racing kit who made a generous donation, but I failed to get his name.

My Helping Hero on the Quayside

As I make my way out of town, along Tower Parade, I pass the gate to Whitstable Castle and Gardens.

On London Road Boughton-under-Blean, I pass these old Kent Oast Houses

Entering the outskirts of Faversham, still driving the London Road on the A2. This road misses the Medieval Market Town which is off to my right.

The A2 is so long and straight that it must follow that path of the old Roman Road linking London to Canterbury.

More Oast Houses at Teynham. 

A bad shot of the same roofs.

The Water Tower at Sittingbourne.

Along the coast again to do a circuit of the Isle of Sheppy over the bridge on the A249.

This would be my last Island diversion before I complete my circuit of Britain's Coast Roads. 

The View from the top as I cross the High Bridge onto The Isle of Sheppey

It is this fast dual carriageway all the way to Queenborough.

I find my way into the centre of Sheerness on Sea along Bridge Road.

Sheerness Terminus Railway Station.

Eventually I find my way past the Town Centre One Way System to get back on the Coast Road at the Broadway. 

Here I am passing St Henry & St Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church, which, although you cannot see it, is right on the beach.

I try to take a photo of this Figurehead located on the back of the Sea Wall.

A reproduction of the figurehead from HMS Forte decorates the sea defense walls at Marine Parade, Sheerness. 

The original is in Sheerness Dockyard. HMS Forte was dismantled and burnt at Sheerness in 1905, following service as a flagship in the previous century.

A decorative wall on part of The Ship on Shore Public House.

Following the High Sea Wall along Marine Parade. This wall indicates the massive Flood Risk for the island.

Entering Minster on Sea along The Leas, which is located on the north coast, mid island.

I have now left The Isle of Sheppey and am heading towards Gillingham and Chatham on the A289.

Next to Gillingham to check out a Berkeley Homes Dockside development where my son was the architect.

On Pier Road, I am just wondering where I turn right?

Liberty Quay's is my destination.

These New Build Apartments, are part of a new development on an old Industrial Dockside.

I need to pass these buildings to find the one that our Architect Son worked on.

Ah. There it is ahead of me.

Parked, ready to go in.

I park the Morgan nearby and find my way to the sales office.

My son asked me to take as many photos as I could and to acquire any sales brochures on offer.

The Development's Marketing Model, set out in the context of the whole scheme.

More of the scheme.

Our son's building overlooks part of the old harbour basins and the Lightship.

More of the Architects Model.

A series of Photos that I took around the actual building.

Maritime History with this old Lightship as a Backdrop.

Here is the Green Goddess waiting for my return.

It was time to head for home now. 

I had to double back on the duel carriageway to get to the tunnel and in doing so pass the ornate gates of Chatham's Historic Dockyard.

So it was onward, through the Medway Tunnel to Stroud, and then along the M2 motorway to Dartford to pick up the M25 motorway and to make my way to Brands Hatch Morgan, to say hello, on my way home.

Into the Medway Tunnel on the A289.

Exiting  the Medway Tunnel

At Brands Hatch Motors where I met Sarah, Keith & Brett just before they closed for the night.

Keith kindly checked over the car and spotted that my front Across Engine Bay Tie Bar securing nut had vibrated undone and duly tightened it for me. 

Inside the showroom they have created a great display area from Morgan Parts.

Their Corporate Yellow Counter Front.

The Ash Frame Wall Display.

The very welcome coffee was soon consumed as I said my grateful farewell to leave them to lock up. 

I resumed that last driving part of this road trip around the southern half of the M25 Motorway.

At Junction 15 it was onto the M40 for the last stretch and finally, I was arriving home in Beaconsfield Old Town

Beaconsfield Old Town Roundabout & St Mary's of All Saints Church

I take the third exit to pass the White Hart Inn. 

Technically, I would not complete this circuit of Britain until I reach the drive of my house.

A Big Surprise was waiting for me from my son when I arrived home. 

He then said that the Garland Wreath is on its way.

Note the Windswept Ruddy Cheeks

I discovered that I  have been carrying a passenger for some time inside the folded hood. Is it still in there somewhere?

The Two Spot Ladybird.

After a short rest break I decided to pop along to my sons office nearby where he presented me with the promised Laurel Wreath.

And officially my last stop on the journey, I made a short diversion to Station Garage Taplow, to I visit the SGT Dealership where our ' Green Goddess ' began her life in our care.

So there it is.

5017 Miles in 22 days, Around Britain's Coat Roads for Help for Heroes, or as much of it as I could find, in a now very dirty, but very proud, Morgan Centenary Roadster 100.

The Green Goddess - The Road Eater - The Flood Meister 

She has taken great care of me. She stopped extremely well when I needed her to. She Jinked out of danger, Cornered with ease and that superb Ford V6 Escape Engine Purred along sweetly all of the way.

H.F.S. Morgan and the excellent team in Malvern Link developed a Beautiful Driving Car in the 'Morgan'. 

I have the pleasure to own this very special Roadster 100 model.