Thames Barge Repertor at Faversham Creek

This shot of the Repertor was taken near the end of today's walk from Whitstable to Faversham, the latest section of our Kent Coast walk mostly following the Saxon Shore Way.

The 10 miles of this walk took us from the cosmopolitan delights of Whitstable on a sunny Sunday morning to the open, lonely marshes alongside the Swale before winding up the creek to Faversham. It was another of those day of days. Wonderful visibility, silence except for the soughing of the wind and lapping of water on the beach to our right.

Lunch, such as it was (a hot cross bun, water and 1/2 a banana) was eaten learning against the seawall in the warm sun looking south over the marshes to Faversham. Perfect.

We had what must rank as the worst cups of coffee ever from a vendor in Whitstable, about a mouthful of coffee, if you can call it that, lots of foam and a couple of specs of chocolate. We should have complained but the day was too good to spoil it with a disagreement. We'll just not go there again.

Standard Quay, where this shot was taken is a fascinating boatyard with a staggering variety of boats from decrepit to sleek, all jostling for position on the creekbank. Some have seen better days and appear to have been there since Noah was a boy. Others, like the Repertor, were being actively restored. On another - Ironsides of London - a family were working on the boat - mum, dad, little boy and parents, hoping to get it ready to sail this year. Ironsides was built in 1900, the Repertor was built in 1924.

Walking the last few yards back to the car in Faversham a man and a young girl passed us on the street going the other way. I recognised the voice before the person - it was Bob Geldof - well disguised with sunglasses and a hat but clearly Sir Bob nonetheless. But there was no doubting his distinctive accent. What must the man be going through at this time? Best not to stop I thought.