Today begins back at Chatham Bus Station. Just around the corner is the bank of the Medway and a nice landscaped riverside walk…
I pass these old guns (still guarding the river) on my way past the Medway Council offices…
Beyond the offices lies the Chatham Historic Dockyard. As a paying visitor attraction, you can’t just wander through! This requires a detour onto a very busy duel carriageway to get to the other end. And it’s bloody massive! About twenty minutes later I’m at the other end.
The dockyard was once one of the Royal Navy’s main bases. At its height, it was much bigger than what remains today and included St Mary’s Island. There are several historic ships that can be explored including a submarine (as long as you can fit through the hole!). It is also home to the famous ‘ropery’ that makes, well, ropes. When it was built the ropery was the longest building in Europe, or maybe the world? Either way, it’s very very long!
What a load of anchors…
From the dockyard it’s on to St Mary’s Island. The western two thirds have been completely re-developed over the last few years and are home to loads of trendy flats and houses and a marina. There is a nice riverside walk all around this area. The eastern end of the island is an industrial estate with no public access. There is a helpful sign with a map…
If you are into gin this looks like the place to go…
Along the first part of the path is a good view of Upnor Castle on the other bank, which was completely hidden when I actually walked past it!
St Mary’s Island is bigger than I was expecting and takes about forty-five minutes to circumnavigate and get back to the mainland. Still, the views were good!
Next is another busy road section that continues for over half a mile until I reach an Asda and the England Coastal Path re-appears after a jaunt inland! Round the back of Asda is Gillingham Piers where I find this beauty…
The Medway Queen is a paddle steamer that started life in 1923 as a ferry from Strood to Southend and Herne Bay. During the Second World War she took part in the evacuation from Dunkirk then served as a minesweeper. After being retired from ferry use in 1963 she was moored on the River Medina on the Isle Of Wight and was used as a nightclub!
From here I walk round a block of buildings to the Strand Leisure Park. This has kids play areas, a water sports centre, tennis courts, a miniature railway, and ice creams! Here I spot what looks like the Sheppey Crossing in the distance…
There is one last industrial unit to skirt and the rest of today’s walk will be all beside the water with greenery to the landward! Most of the next hour looks like this…
Soon I come to the strangely named Horrid Hill. Basically a blob of land in the estuary mud connected by a causeway, it seems very popular with dog walkers and others just out enjoying the spring sunshine. There is a nearby car park at the Riverside Country Park so access is easy! According to the information board the origin of the name is uncertain…
About five minutes later I find the remains of another boat. I wonder how long this one has been decomposing in the mud…?
Shortly I reach Bloors Wharf, another old and disused industrial site, which is pretty much the end of today’s walk. This also has a helpful information board…
So that’s it for today. I’m pleased to have completed the very urban Medway Towns area and will be back out in a more rural environment for a while. Next time I will be starting at Motney Hill, a small peninsula with a sewage works on it. Can’t wait…
No comments:
Post a Comment