So I'm back at Greenhithe beside the Thames just past Asda! Today's walk will take me around the Swanscombe Peninsula, through industrial Northfleet, and into Gravesend.
That may look like a nice little sandy beach down there...but its actually mud! Mud with crap half buried in it.
The path here winds around some neat looking modern developments, and then sometimes sends you in to the old 'high street' part of the town.
There are reminders of Greenhithe's maritime past all around, such as these decomposing boats, one of which is, intriguingly, made of concrete!
The route then follows a nice riverside path past Ingress Park, a large, pricey, housing estate built in the grounds of an old manor house.
At the eastern end of Ingress Park I came across several set of rails embedded in the path, together with some sort of gate arrangement and an old winch. No idea what is all for; a relic of the indusrial past, maybe?
The next section of the walk takes me out onto the Swanscombe Peninsula. The inland part of the peninsula is home to a couple of fairly skanky industrial estates, but out here near the river it is nice and green and mostly nature reserve. The Eurostar rail line cuts through the middle and disappears into its tunnel under the Thames.
This whole area is the proposed site of a massive new theme park development involving Paramount Pictures which is being called 'Britain's Disneyland'. Estimates of the cost range from £2.5 billion to £3.5 billion. So its a 'piece of string' job, basically!
Some nature...
Next point on this walk is THE PYLON!!! This is reputedly the tallest pylon in the country. Well, this one and the one on the Essex bank opposite. Presumably they need to be this tall so that ships can pass beneath the cables. Whatever, there is no doubt that it is very tall...
Although there is a public right of way around the peninsula, somebody seems to be quite keen on keeping people away judging by some of the signage...
Shortly after THE PYLON I come to Broadness Salt Marsh and an interesting little harbour. This is a curious mix of incredibly dilapidated stuff and the well kept.
Down the Eastern side of the peninsula is where it starts to get industrial. First I skirt what looks like a huge gravel works...
...then come out into a large, shabby, industrial estate.
Get yer old buses here...
The route comes out on a main road where I walk past the Ebbsfleet United ground and into yet another dingy industrial estate. Here, some brave souls are attempting to restore a disused harbour. Best of luck to 'em...
At the end of this lane I was expecting to cross a large cement works via a public right of way that looked like an alley. However, this is what I found...
It turns out the site is being redeveloped into riverside housing. Fortunately they have provided a new fenced off cinder track right beside the river. Hopefully this will be tidied up and permanent when the building work is finished.
I'm now into the last section of today's walk. I go through yet another industrial estate - a much smarter and neater one this time - and then on into Gravesend.
This walk was probably only about six miles but packed in a lot of stuff to see. Its a shame that so much of the second half is roadway, but once the various building works are done you should be able to spend more time beside the river!
Next time - exploring Gravesend then onto Cliffe!
