I have been doing this walk today, Thursday 1 Feb, in the sunshine.

Lots of birds to see in the first half. Oystercatchers and curlew on the rocks at low tide at Birchington. Later, beyond Mimms Bay, dunlin-type waders running up and down along the tide line, and also roosting on the beach along the sea wall, where they are so well-camouflaged they are almost invisible. You may see some roosting on the little shingle islands in the first lagoon you come to..

Mixed in among one of the beach flocks were ringed plovers, who are even more brilliantly camouflaged - look out for beach pebbles that move! Also in this section about 50 oystercatchers roosting - a black line on the sea’s edge. All these roosting birds cunningly gather just below the sight line of most of those walking the sea wall track, so keep to its seaward edge to see them.

The star attraction is the brent geese, however. These breed in Siberia and fly all the way here to overwinter. A flock of about 500 suddenly materialised as I approached Reculver and landed on the sea, forming a great honking flotilla. Then they fled back inland to feed or roost on the fields. They are dark grey, fairly small for geese, with a white tail.

I am writing this at the HatHats cafe in Reculver, where a huge flock of sparrows is too busy cheeping in a nearby bush to notice I just had a cake they could have shared….

By the way, trainers are fine for this walk. No need for boots.

Five walkers and a fur-child named Gwen on a breezy, sunny in the morning day. As described by Walker, we were accompanied for a short time by a flotilla of gurgling Brent Geese. Four stopped at the pub for lunch - friendly service and acceptable meals. The fifth companion and Gwen who sandwiched outside, were not seen again and I hope they enjoyed the afternoon section. The four divided into two groups of two but met up at a rather charming Art-Deco style cafe on the promenade at Herne Bay. Coffees and cakes home baked by a local were consumed. Three then made their way to the station with one walking on to Whitstable. A lovely day out with great company and conversation. Thanks for posting DAC. Debra

5 plus 1 dog off the train - reacquainted with past walking companions - one from over a decade ago, another prior to the unmentionable. 4 of us lunched at the King Ethelbert; the picnicker chose to head on to Herne Bay. Coffee stop at Herne Bay; 3 set off for the station, 1 to Whitstable. overcast with sunny intervals

I'm going. Staying in Margate night before, so I don't miss the train.

9 emerged from the "party train" at Birchington...most revelers having previously alighting at Whitstable (who would have thought it apparently a destination for birthdays and hen dos)....On the seafront, three more early arrivals were found, followed by yet another who had spent the night in the area...making for 13 in perfect bright and breezy autumnal conditions ....Some picnicked at Reculver and others dined and drank at the pub...Some headed home at Herne Bay; 4 went for a swim in the lively sea; and others headed direct to Whitstable....not entirely sure what each of the various groups did...but after enjoying a very pleasant dip in the sea the swimmers headed onward and enjoyed al fresco drinks and oysters in Whitstable where we encountered 2 others....eventually we caught the 18:49....dashing off along a direct route to the station....only regret being a Sunday...as it would have been lovely to while away the evening....

11

13 _with_w=full_sun_and_wind. At the station, there were 11, we met another at the lunch pub who took the High Speed train. Another took 12pm train, caught up with the group that ended the walk at Herne Bay. It was a glorious sunny day at the seaside with sweeping views to the distance. The walk had the benefit of NO MUD but would have been even better if it was done in reverse from Herne Bay to Birchington-on-Sea as the gusty wind was relentless. Lunch pub was full, we just managed to get a couple of tables. food was basic with reasonable prices. After lunch, two decided to walk back to Birchington with tailwind which proved to be a brilliant idea. The rest pressed on with headwind. Three stopped at Herne Bay and hardy ones continued on into the wind never to be seen again... Tea at Herne Bay and at seaside Cafe in Brichington respectively. The two groups met up on the train and enjoyed the journey back to London. A nice day out in good company.

full sun and wind

Great idea ;)

It is high tide at Herne Bay at 12.13 today. This means good swimming in the morning of this walk and early afternoon: after this time the sea retreats a long way over mud and shingle at both Herne Bay and Whitstable. So get your swims in early.

The main beach at Birchington (not the first bit of coast you come to, but a little way into the walk) is actually quite a nice place to swim when the tide is high.

From memory there is also a small swimmable beach at Reculver: possibly other places between Birchington and Reculver too, but this is where I remember swimming in the past.

20 walkers alighted from the train, amongst whom was a group of 4 first-timers. Initially we walked along the clifftop, but soon descended to the waterside cliff bottom concrete path. Up to Reculver it was overcast with lots of sun breaking through, and the sea was a wee bit smelly initially (must have been the seaweed and algae?). The many beach huts, some short sandy beaches and a cafe (The Windshack) were interesting features on this stretch, guided by the far away Reculver ruins.

Reculver itself did not disappoint: some very good info panels explaining the history of the Isle of Thanet, the ex-Roman fort site and the ruined monastery church and its towers.

On to the King Ethelbert Inn for most of the group, where we were met by another walker who had arrived on a later train from Victoria. Our seats were outside, the service was efficient and the food ok. Life was good.

On to Herne Bay, with a windmill farm out at sea dominating the view. Some stopped at Makcari's in the old bandstand for ice cream or cream tea, others went ahead.

The stretch to Whistable is then more built-up, but still has a grassy nature reserve on offer. By now it was completely overcast and the threat of rain was in the air. Up to the top of Tankerton Slopes, where the Oyster Festival has been relocated this year after too many protests from businesses and residents in the centre of Whitstable. It consisted of some fairground attractions and lots of food stalls, but - bizarrely - only one oyster stall!

Just as we had convinced ourselves that we should move on to the centre to check out the offerings there, a heavy 15 minute downpour started, splitting the remining group in the rush to put on waterproofs or to find shelter.

About two handfuls reunited at the Lobster Shack, initially outside, then migrating inside when a table was freed up. There we stayed for quite a while, rotating in placing more orders for seafood and drink.

We had already linked up with three other SWC stalwarts who had walked in from Herne Bay, taking to the sea along the way for a revogorating swim, but they decided to keep exploring the delightful Whistatble.

Most of the Lobster Shack group then let another train go, prefering to sit on the pebble beach outside the Whitstable Oyster Bar with one last drink, taking in the couldscapes and the sun's rays breaking through them.

20.50 train for those.

So, 24 in total, with the weather overcast with sunny breaks for the fast walkers that got to Whitstable before the downpour.

Journey time for me from Victoria of 2 and a half hours and a cold wet and windy forecast will mean I shall be joining the West London Ramblers today if I can face the weather at all!

This walks was too much of a trek for me too especeially as i like to get back for dancing in the evenings.

Also some people who like to attend these walks are between jobs and walks that are so far away can be pricey ticketwise.jfk

2 hardy souls on this trek. The weather was extremely variable with a microburst of hail and strong gusty winds as we left Birchington - but just for 10 minutes. Intrepid walker 2 was heard to mutter "We must be insane" as we huddled in a bus shelter. However the hail and rain ceased and the wind dropped and the sun shone as we approached Reculver. During a hearty meal at the King Ethelbert Inn, another shower rolled in and the wind increased. It was a little challenging as we walked onto Herne Bay, but the sun re-appeared on our approach. We stopped for a welcome break and a drink at Makcaris before catching the 4:44pm back to London.

All in all an invigorating and exhilarating outing, but not for the faint hearted.

HST train fares were £18.40 with a card.

"And you are going east, so strong winds from the west will be straight in your face." Actually you're going west, so you will indeed be facing those westerly winds.

Thanks, Chris. I have corrected the post.

anyone planning on going? this sounds like a great one

thanks

To have the wind at our back, shouldn't we be starting at Herne Bay?

Actually, looking at the current weather forecast (which is alas quite wet at time of writing) it would not help to reverse the walk, as the wind is due to come from the south. The problem with doing the walk in reverse is also that Birchington has no tea places, as far as I am aware, though Westgate on Sea just over a mile further on MAY (repeat MAY) have a beachfront cafe open: another mile and three quarters takes you to Margate.

The main objection to reversing the direction of the walk, however, is that it will create confusion amongst those going on it, splitting the group into those that start at Herne Bay and those that start at Birchington.

Given that it is a southerly wind anyway, I would stick to the Birchington start.

6

drizzle

Weather not as forecast. In fact there was only light drizzle towards the end of the walk. The tide was out so the rock pools (at the beginning of the walk) looked very attractive in the Winter light. If you get excited by Saxon churches - commes moi - there is one on this walk, albeit a ruin. Lots of interesting information boards on the Herne Bay seafront were read by two of us before we had a nice cup of tea at a pub by the station. The only down side to this walk was the amount of unpicked up dog mess.