Legs and Borders

As a preparation before the next adventure I'm trying different format of documenting the journey.  I've decided to walk around Canterbury, the city I live in and shoot it on an old Samsung EX1 camera I had for many years now.  Not the greatest of trails, but it's always interesting to see your surroundings!

Day 3 of the Britain's lockdown and things are changing pretty rapidly especially in the social sphere, it's really interesting to watch. We are only allowed to go out twice a day (if not commuting to work) once to get our essential shopping done and second to exercise (ride the bike, jog on, or a have a walk).  While walking on the pavement and passing someone else, people (if not completely going to the other side of the road) are walking as far on the other side of the pavement as possible. Many people are wearing the masks, some goggles and gloves, and I even seen one guy wearing a police riot style helmet. There's plenty of people doing their daily  exercise  on the little paths around Canterbury (previously fairly empty) which is great. Weather seems to be kind to us since the lockdown, it has been absolutely beautiful for the last week. Interestingly there's a lot of older people going out for walks and I haven't spotted many families with kids or young adu...

Site been done many times, least to say it wasn't very challenging to get in as the only gate was wide open, few builders next to it, but completely not interested in what we were doing.. Nobody on site, the only problem was that on the way back the gate was closed, lol.. so we jumped over it without any questions from still present builders.. thank God for builders. Some essential information about the place, can be found here .

"Dungeness is one of the most bizarre places you can visit in Kent. Overlooked by the massive power station, the beach has a strange aura that only adds to its attraction. As with many beaches in Kent it's pebbly, but it's well worth a visit just to soak in the lonely atmosphere, even if you don't fancy a swim. Make sure you take your camera - Dungeness is packed full of potential arty shots." - True, heh. Never got enough of this place.. well until now.

Visited on a sunny saturday with RoFox and familia. Located just off the road after few minutes walking distance through the forest. history: During World War II, five radar stations were constructed to give early warning of approaching enemy aircraft around the Thames Estuary area. Dunkirk and Swingate were two of the five, and constituted part of the Chain Home system. Certainly the CHS played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain as Luftwaffe bomber formations could be detected even before they had crossed the coast of France. [undergroundkent.co.uk] Detailed description is on subterranea britannica if anyone is interested.

Here you can appreciate probably one of the few hdr'ed pigeon eggs online! that's something isn't it.. history: The Ramsgate Flour Mill was built in 1865, and closed in 2005 when the site was sold by Rank Hovis to a private developer, as it was no longer commercially viable. The mills became Grade II listed in 1988. World War II tunnels underneath the mills:

Big credit goes to Subversive for helping me out with location, he pointed though a bit further down the road so had a bit of e xploring before finding it, never mind :) The place turned out to be quite a chilled explore, and the weather was... great. History: In the 1980s, the Copyhold site was sending loose earths and packaged cat litter around the world. By 1995, however, due to falling profits it was announced that the company would close 10% of its 100 plants. Copyhold fell victim the following year and the Laporte Group ceased fuller's earth production altogether in 1997. Visited solo in 2011, and as you can see i was romancing with heavy hdr's then, heh.

When arrived at the site the fence was wide open, but decided to wait for few people to catch their busses, as it's located right next to the bus stop, it was a good decision. After about two minutes three persons came out, guy dressed in a hi vis jacket and a couple looking like the owners, or people who want to acquire the site (currently for sale). After they left i made my way inside and spend good twenty minutes looking for a way to enter the building, as they made rather good job on sealing it, and eventually find one.  Fire that happened in may didn't affect the site much (and certainly not the front building), so it remains pretty much the same with all its dump and moldy corners  history: Summerlands Lodge was built in 1906 as a preparatory school called Doone House. The school was closed in the early part of the Second World War and the property requisitioned by the military as an officer's mess for nearby Manston airfield. In 1946 it became the headqua...

Visited solo just after Lillesden School, and must say that the difference was stunning.. place is in extremely bad condition, looks good from the outside though, and there are few interesting bits in the sheds next to it... Shame, as the place got some interesting history: In 1886, the largest Barnardo's home for orphans under six years old was built in Hawkhurst, and looked after hundreds of babies. It was known as Babies' Castle, and was opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Mary of Teck (who later became Queen Mary, wife of King George V). The nine inspiring principles, known as 'The Nine Nos' of the Babies Castle, were: 1. No destitute child refused 2. No Race Barrier 3. No Creed Clause 4. No Physical Disability 5. No Age Limit 6. No Money Promise 7. No Voting 8. No Waiting 9. No Red Tape Got closed in 1965, then reopened as Hawkurst Castle and remain open until 1990s.