Hello again, Christine. Never feel concerned about waffling. Waffling is good. As far as the Fairy Glen is concerned,; it was lost when the caravan site was sold to make way for a housing estate. I have seen some old photos of the glen abut have yet to get my hands on any that I could post here.
I was aware of the NZ Herne Bay, as a friend of mine, currently in Hong Kong, is buying a house there, too. So, she too seems to have gone full circle, so to speak.
In 1963, I was a mere babe in arms and still living in the Smoke. I had yet to develop into the DTS of today. All the best and thanks for including me in your favourites. Now that does wonders for the ego.

Now, now, Dave. You really should look a little closer. The "Share" was the first pub to be included on the Herne Bay photos section, way back in the site's first incarnation. It's never been off, either and can now be found under the Herne Bay Photos (2) section, at the bottom with all the other pubs I have added.

Hi, Brian. Yes, thing did go a bit quiet (see the home page opening apology). There are still discussions going on about the pier and a £40 million pound project btu everything seems shrouded in secrecy. I did consider putting somethin about it in the nes page but the papers seem to be as much in the dark as everybody else. From what I can gather, at the moment, funding is being sourced and the organisations that have had discussions want more details of rht councils long-term planes for the project and who/what would be involved.
I'll keep an eye on it and will put something on the news page wheh there is more than just rumour or counter rumour to announce.

Hi Chris. I agree with you about Reculver, although when I was young, I used to "just sit" on one of the huts at Westbeach. As far as pictures or history goes, delve a little more into the site and I think you'll find I have catered for both. For pictures, go to Herne Bay photos (2). For the history stuff, I have a page under the Herne Bay overview section.

Hello, Matt. I can't tell you if you're doing anything wrong but I just sent myself a comment via the guestbook and it sent it off quite happily.You'll find the guestbook under the "General" menu heading. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of the Chez and it's now nothing more than a pile of rubble by the new Thanet Way.....

Thanks, Steve. I think that it's maybe the photos that help create the best memory triggers for people but like anywhere, both Whitstable and Herne Bay have grown and presumably changed significantly in the last few decades. With any luck, those sites run by the army of (generally) enthusiastic amateur wemasters will help maintain some written and visual record of a town's history. The Web is certainly a fantastic source for that.

Hi Dorothy. Well; it's like this. As I have (finally) admitted on the home page, I successfully removed everything from my PC recently, including a whole bunch of emails (not to mention loads of rather important work documents.....). So, perhaps you'd be good enough to write again and remind me, plus let me have your email address. I realise this isn't particularly professional but hey, I never claimed to be a pro. Thank you for telling others about the site, though. I'm always pleased to hear from anyone who shows an interest.

Thanks for that, Paul. I mentioned in a previous website incarnation the grimness of the winters here but the area still maintains it's hold on my emotions. The bleakness of winter is often tempered by the even more spectacular sunsets. In summer, the place is a picture. The sea will always have adraw, I guess.

Hello Bill. Well; another raft of memories there. Thank you. RAF Manston is now Kent International Airport and is about 10 miles east of us, just outside Margate.
There are no cobbled streets that I know of in town any longer, I'm afraid. We're all tarmac and concrete today. Unless someone can tell me differently.....
You have a few options getting here from Heathrow. Taxi firms can be arranged to collect you from and return you to Heathrow but they're not cheap. It's about £40 each way. There are also coach firms that operate out of eathrow and will bring you to Canterbury, although I've never needed to use them personally so I can't advise of the costs. You could also get the Heathrow Express train into London, crossing via the Tube to either Victoria if you go to Herne Bay, or Charing Cross if you want to go to Canterbury. however, if you're going to rent a car from Canterbury, you'd be better off renting it from Heathrow, I think.
There are a number of B & B's on Herne Bay's seafront. I will send you some numbers under separate cover. I can also give you directions from Heathrow if you choose to rent a car from there.

Hi, Matt. It was the sprucing up of the area that encouraged me to create the site in the first place. Both towns were/are considered either a dump or a great place to be. Rarely will you find a halfway house opinion. Same with a number of places, I supposes. Personally, I love this bit of the country and that's not merely the viewpoint of a non-travelled person. I have seen some great places. I have seen some serious dumps. Herne Bay and Whitstable? Well, they're home. Not much point trying to apply any logic here.....

Hello again, Brian. If I read this correctly, a number of locals are practising the standard British response; moaning about having the view ruined by the windfarm. In the main, I don't follow that reasoning, although I am a liitle perturbed as to what the view will look like if the proposal for 500 wind turbines goes ahead. So; you'll find me firmly positioned on the fence.

Oops - Bishopstone Glen. I must update those picture pages. As far as the Rising Sun is concerned, consider it done. I'll get to it this weekend.

Thanks very much, LJ. I worry sometimes that the site has become little more than a photo album, which I didn't want. However, if it gives people a better idea of what to expect, perhaps it's not such a bad thing. We shall see.
For what it's worth, the camera is a Nikon Coolpix 3500 and yes, I'm very happy with it. Decent quality and the photos can get uploaded so much more quickly now. A worthwhile purchase as far as I am concerned.

YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THE ABOVE IS SOMEWHAT JADED. THE SEASALTER CHALETS ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN IN FORCE SINCE 1937 AND WE HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME SAILING AND JUST LOUNGING. THAT IS MY HUT SHOWN ON YOUR WONDERFUL COLLECTION. FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONE HAS JUST SOLD FOR £40,000!!
My family has been coming down to Yorkletts and Seasalter since 1927 when my Grandmother bought a shack and ½ an acre for £50 (yes, fifty quid.) If I can be of any help, please ask.
By the way, you don't mention the scourge of the area footpaths and rights of way. Why not ?

Well, that's told me. I hope I wasn't making any disparaging remarks about the area (I presume you are referring to Graveney). It cannot be denied that the area is desolate but that is part of it's appeal. It doesn't "suffer" with hoards of visitors and therefore provides an area of tranquility. I certainly have no problem with "lounging". Sounds an ideal way to while away time.
However, I still find it incredulous that these properties sell for such high sums of money. It isn't just the Graveney plots; I saw a Tankerton hut (and they are huts) up for 30K. I'm sorry but I do not see that much value in them, especially as they are seaonal-only accomodation. The Graveney properties are at least caravan-sized and provide a modicum of living civilisation.
Finally; I make no mention of the "scourge" of footpaths or rights of way because it has never really come up.

Thank you for that, Ron. It's always good to know that some nostalgic pleasure can be derived from sites like this. Unfortunately, I don't have any old Herne Bay photos personally. That's not to say that I wouldn't be prepared to nick a few from the numerous books available at the library.....

Welcome Dorothy. It's never too late to learn, I think you'll find. "Strong opinions"? Hmm, well, if you mean that this site helps to promote a (relatively) positive image of the towns, then that was always my intention.

Hi, Matt. I'm glad to see the site provides some form of evocative spirit. Someone wrote to the site some time back suggesting I had only shown the good side of Herne Bay. Now, I could show the really duff areas but where would be the point in that? I like this area, so I share the bits I like. Besides, I do at least confess to the site being biased.....
I had pictures of Kings Road school in the old incarnation of the site. I'll resurrect them for you soon. I can sort out the Druid's Head, too. Unfortunately, I'll be away for the carnival which is a bummer for me too, as Ami is taking part with the Sea Cadets, who will be forming a very large band this year, with Whitstable and (I think) Margate units. I'll see if I can't pressgang someone into sorting out some pics for me.

Thanks for that, Chris. The link has now been added, in the Kent section. As far as printing Geoff's photo is concerned; you may have trouble there, as I have (hopefully) protected it. I'll send it to you under separate cover.

Hello, Mike. Welcome aboard and thank you. Well, Geoff; I hope you're looking in still, as your comments and pictures seem to have set off a number of enquiries.
As far as Wichall's is concerned, look deep in the feedback archives and you'll find a letter from Eileen Noble, currently resident of Brockville, Canada, whose parents owned said shop. It's now a second hand store, one of a number in the town.

The pleasure is entirely mine, Caroline. Thanks for the visit. I hope the site does your memories justice.

Hello, Nancy. Thanks for the note. Well, there are hundreds at Tankerton and Westbeach, so it may take me a while to find the one you are talking about. While they all have decking and steps, I don't think there are too many blue ones, so maybe finding it won't be so hard. I guess I'll just have to send pics of all the blue ones I find. I'll send them as small files so the email is not too big. If I have found the correct one, let me know and I will send a bigger picture.

Whoops. Thanks Philip. Consider them corrected.

Hmm; what would you have in mind, Mike? I'm sure there could be lots of quotes but they might not all be fit to print......

Well, Dave, there's a better picture on the site now. I also have one of the Whitstable cross now, by All Saints church. I'll add it as soon as I can.
P.s. You have to be a Yorkshireman, don't you? That is a very full address.....

Debbie, it's always a pleasure (and not a little humbling) to receive such praise. Don't fret; I'm not going anywhere just yet. I've just been so tied up with "other stuff", that this site has done little more than lie fallow for months. Terribly sorry to one and all. Still; I'm beginning to get on top of everything now. I hope.
Mum and dad have asked me to return your greetings, too, as does Ivy. Cheers.