Isle of Sheppey

10th July, my walking group had a walk on the Isle of Sheppey. That's quite a distance from our usual area, but curiosity and support for a new walk leader led some 25 members to turn up at Leysdown, on the eastern edge. We had a good walk in sunny and blustery conditions taking in the Isle of Harty, stopping at the Ferry Inn for lunch. We stopped off at the Church of St Thomas at Harty, one of Kent's most remote churches, dated at late 11th or early 12th century. Well worth a visit. At the Ferry Inn there is the long disused ferry across to the mainland at Harty Ferry, now a fine place for walking and bird observatory. Sheppey is very flat, and still remote despite the new Kingsferry crossing. At Leysdown you have views across to the Maunsell forts, in the Thames Estuary, as well as the Kentish Flats windfarm. Our walk was about ten miles, and thoroughly enjoyed by all who made the journey.