Walk 18. Sheppey Crossing to Conyer

So, after my trip round the Isle of Sheppey, today we are back on the mainland and heading towards the seaside resorts of north Kent!

Before I get there, however, there is more marshland/estuary walking to be done. The southern bank of the Swale has several creeks which, annoyingly, have to be crossed after walking a fair distance down one bank then you have to go back up the other. Which, of course, adds to the mileage but without the feeling of having got anywhere!

Anyway, I am back at the Kingsferry Bridge again…

First challenge is to actually find the path. I have to climb over the Armco on the left and go down an overgrown bank. There are a couple of steps sitting at the top in a halfhearted sort of way…

Once down, walking under the bridge is easier than the northern end was as there is a road leading to the industrial area of Ridham Dock. There is also a nice path along the embankment…

Ridham Dock is only a few minutes away but there is no public access to the dock area. The path is diverted inland around the site and crosses a disused railway spur…

The footpath runs southward parallel to a roadway but is in a bad state. Overgrown and uneven so progress is slow. And after all that the path emerges onto the road after a while anyway! My tip would be to just take the road on the left at this point, it’s only a few hundred yards…

Past Ridham Dock the path rejoins the coastal embankment heading towards the next huge industrial plant. This one appears to be made out of giant Lego. Always irritating when you don’t have enough pieces of the same colour, isn’t it…

Apparently it recycles waste into energy. Love an information board…

Past this plant I continue alongside the Kemsley Marshes and soon come to the mouth of Milton Creek…

As I head down the creek towards Sittingbourne, I pass another large industrial plant. This one is a paper mill and the path here becomes very overgrown as it squeezes by the fence…

This is also the northern end of the Sittingbourne And Kemsley Light Railway, a visitor attraction running steam trains. Presumably the line was originally used to service the industrial activity in the area. The view from the path is limited, but there is a helpful sign on a locked gate. Or is it…?

A short walk from here I am able to cross the creek via the B2005 road bridge…

In the mud of the creek is the obligatory decaying boat…

Heading back up the other side of the creek, the path passes a brick distribution yard and goes through some trees then emerges onto the Little Murston Nature Reserve…

Once past the mouth of Milton Creek and back onto the bank of the Swale, its time for more mud-boats…

The walk from here to Conyer Creek is more or less a straight line and follows the top of an embankment…

This section reminded me greatly of the Hoo Peninsular - walking on an embankment, water on the left, marshes with sheep on the right…

Even the swans were back!

After a very pleasant 35 minutes or so, I arrive at the mouth of Conyer Creek…

The path zig-zags its way down the creek for longer than I was expecting until eventually I reach Conyer! It looks to be a prosperous place, with some interesting boats…

…some nice looking houses…

…and the best-kept marina I think I’ve ever seen…!

So this is the end-point for today’s walk. More creeks’n’marshes next time…!