Broadstairs, start of 3rd stage of coastal walk

This is Viking Bay, Broadstairs on the Isle of Thanet, the very eastern tip of England and the start of our 3rd stage of what we thought was the Saxon Shore Way. Turns out that the Saxon Shore Way does not go around the Isle of Thanet but cuts across from Reculver on the North Kent coast, via the old Wensum Channel to Sandwich on the English Channel. No matter, we're changing the name of our walk to the Kent Coast Walk!

Today started at Birchington on Sea where we eventually caught the train to Margate then a rail replacement bus ride to Broadstairs. I say eventually as the timetable published at Birchington station bore no resemblance to the information on the Natonal Rail Enquires website nor was there any indiction of engineering works.

Nevertheless, we arrived at Broadstairs and commenced the 11.5 mile walk back to Birchington along the coast - and an excellent walk it was, usually up on the cliffs but occasionally down by the sea passing beach huts and cafes busy with people enjoying the sun. A pleasant lunch as a tea room at Botany Bay fortified us for the rest of the journey.

This is an image of Viking Bay that I love - the curve of the bay refected in so many ways - from beach huts to people to the waves around the breakwater.

See 26th January 2013 for the first stage and 27th March for the second stage.