Following a move from SE London to Cliftonville - in Margate - here is a daily photographic record of my personal observations during a year spent in or around the Isle of Thanet and Kent. (March 2008).

DAYS 1 - 60

DAY 60 - THE ORB INN:

A Shepherd Neame pub that sells MASTER BREW and SPITFIRE. A former CAMRA pub of the year to be found along the Ramsgate Road is accessible by the Thanet Loop bus service. With paved back garden area, food served and a quiz night this is an informal, quiet and friendly pub that ticks all the boxes.

DAY 59 - THE OVAL:

The classical bandstand situated in the middle of the Oval Gardens off the Queens Promenade at Cliftonville is a replica of the original Victorian structure.
Old photographs show just how popular this meeting place was, surrounded by the splendid old hotels that no longer exist, with users of deck chairs which were first used in Margate in 1898.

DAY 58 - WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER:

A welcoming sight on returning from across the channel.

DAY 44 - DOVER FERRY CROSSINGS:

With only 22 miles to Dover it makes access from Margate to the continent easy.
"Dover ferry port is the leading cross channel ferry port and was used by over 18 million passengers and 3 million cars last year, as well as over 1,667,000 freight vehicles. Dover is the chosen departure port of P&O Ferries and Sea France for the frequent crossings to Calais, Norfolkline for the sailings to Dunkerque and the Speed Ferries service for ferries to Boulogne. The port is set in an ideal location on the South East coast, and has excellent links to the UK Rail and motorway networks. Dover ferry Port has 2 main ferry terminals, the one at the Eastern Docks is used by P & O Ferries, Norfolk Line, Speed Ferries and Sea France".

DAY 43 - THE THANET LOOP:

With funding from The Urban Bus Challenge the Thanet Loop connects Margate with Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Westwood with a very useful bus service every 7-10 minutes during the main part of the day.

DAY 42 - ANNUAL MODS REVIVAL & SCOOTER RALLY:

Bank holiday get-together of scooter owners. Three fine machines seen here parked on Marine Terrace.

DAY 41 - REGENERATION OF DREAMLAND:

A public exhibition of two possible schemes for Dreamland with a model of the centre of Margate showing the preserved Scenic Railway.
Scheme one is named "Duke of York".
Scheme two is named "King Cobb".
http://www.textmargate.com/

DAY 40 - WETHERSPOON'S REAL-ALE FESTIVAL - (REVISITED):

(See DAY 29). Available on the night was PANDAMONIUM (Beartown Brewery), LAND OF HOPS & GLORY (Nelson Brewery), TITANIC STEERAGE (Titanic Brewery), EXMOOR GOLD (Golden Hill Brewery), DOUBLE CENTURY (Thwaites Brewery), PEDIGREE (Marston's), ORGANIC BLONDE (Brakspear), UNICORN (Robinsons).

DAY 39 - POLLING DAY:

Thanet District Council local election day with voting for the Cliftonville West Ward in St Pauls Road.

DAY 38 - YE OLDE CHARLES:

Food served all day, Sunday lunches, function room, two marquees in large beer garden, children's play area, darts, pool table, karaoke and large screen tvs all found at the pub at 382 Northdown Road. Only one real ale - IPA (Flowers).

DAY 37 - LIDO BATHING POOL:

Looking West along Newgate Promenade. In the 1920's the Lido at Cliftonville was completed to cater for the popularity of sea bathing. Seen here with the red tiled roofs the Lido was built on the existing Clifton Baths Estate beneath which ran many passageways used by smugglers in previous centuries. The underground complex consisted of bars, cafes and an indoor warm sea water pool with nearby changing facilities. The Lido was hugely popular from it's construction right through to the 1960's. A winter storm in January 1978 which destroyed Margate Pier also wreaked havoc with the Lido, particularly the outdoor pool.
http://www.undergroundkent.co.uk/lido.htm

DAY 36 - VIEW FROM PLUMSTONE ROAD:

Fields of rapeseed bathed in late April sunshine with Birchington and Acol beyond. The white upper part of Waterloo Tower at Quex Park is seen on the horizon.

DAY 34 - DEMOLISHED St. GEORGE'S HOTEL:

The St. George's Hotel was one of four hotels acquired by Butlins in Cliftonville in 1955. Later two more hotels were added and now only one remains - The Princes, renamed as Walpole Heights.
(Find Butlins Memories at www.butlinsmemories.com/id696.htm).

DAY 33 - HOUSEHOLD WASTE & RECYCLING CENTRE:

Managed by Kent County Council, this site on Manston Road accepts a wide variety of materials for reuse, recycling or safe disposal. The site is open from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Saturday and 9.00 am to 4.00 pm on Sunday and Bank Holidays.

DAY 32 - CLIFTONVILLE BATHING POOL:

With the tide out the sea water remains trapped in this pool, built around 1900, surrounded by the sand below Hodges Bridge at Walpole bay. Swimming season June-September.

DAY 31 - PETTMANS AUCTION DAY:

An auction is held on the last Wednesday of every month at 52 Athelstan Road in Cliftonville with viewings the day before. Pettmans occupy a huge depository where they also offer valuations, antique sales probate advice and removals - their business having evolved since 1882 from coal delivery by horse and cart and bathing machines on Margate sands.

DAY 30 - SANDERLINGS:

Latin name 'Calidris Alba'. Family 'Scolopacidae' (Sandpipers and allies).
"The sanderling is a small, plump, energetic wading bird. It has a short straight black bill and medium length black legs. It is pale grey above and white underneath, and there is a black mark at its shoulder where the folded wing meets the body. It does not breed in the UK, but is a winter visitor and passage migrant in spring and autumn, journeying to and from their high Arctic breeding grounds."
"Sanderlings are characteristic of sandy beaches, running back and forth, with the ebb and flow of the tide, like so many little clockwork toys. To watch it running along the tide-line following the receding waves and darting back as the next ripples nearly overtake it, is one of the most delightful sights imaginable."

DAY 29 - WETHERSPOON'S REAL-ALE FESTIVAL:

The start of what is advertised as the The World's Biggest Real-Ale Festival - The Mechanical Elephant pub on Marine Terrace offers a range of ales at £1.69 per pint or a selection of three one third pints for the same price. Available on the night is SPRING GODDESS (Batemans), WAGGLEDANCE (Young's), St. GEORGE & THE DRAGON (Manns/Wadworth), EARLY BIRD (Shepherd Neame), KELLER BIER (St. Georgen Brau), AMBRIO (Anker Brewery).

DAY 28 - JET SKI WORLD:

"Jet Ski World offers Jet Ski hire sessions to the public. Cafe with full menu, jet ski launch and retrieval service to private owners, wash off facility, car park, showers, sandy beach, 4 tennis courts, 18 hole crazy golf, disabled toilet, salt water swimming pool. RYA recognised training establishment, personal watercraft training available to International Competency Certificate standard." Hodges Gap, Princes Walk, Palm Bay in Cliftonville.

DAY 27 - PADGETS:

Like most shops in Cliftonville and Margate, Padgets in Northdown Road is a privately owned local shop that is not part of a national chain. Selling just about everything one could possibly need for house and garden it is a welcome reminder of the traditional way that hardware shops were run before the coming of B&G, Homebase and the like.

DAY 26 - HIGH TIDE:

A 4.9 metre tide fills the harbour.

DAY 25 - TEST THE TOWN:

A project to check out the skills in everyday English and maths of the residents of Margate. Two computer based multiple choice questionnaires tests each volunteer to be followed by a draw and a chance to win a laptop computer. The Academy at 21 Norfolk Road in Cliftonville.

DAY 24 - DANE PARK:

Opened to the public in 1898 Dane Park is found alongside Dane Road and offers a welcome green lung in the middle of Margate.

DAY 23 - BETHESDA MEDICAL CENTRE:

A newly opened (3 years) modern surgery in Palm Bay Avenue with attached Woolls Pharmacy. The practice nurses and healthcare assistants work with nine resident doctors together with a computerised check in system for appointments, displays for calling those waiting, regular screened updates regarding any delays and views of the sea help to make being in need of medical attention less unpleasant.

DAY 22 - IMPRESSIONS CAFE RESTAURANT:

Lunch diners enjoy the sun on The Promenade overlooking Margate harbour. The menu offers a choice of breakfasts, sandwiches and filled pototoes, 'lite bites' and lunches. The scampi and chips was delicious and served by friendly and efficient staff.

DAY 21 - EAST FROM ROYAL ESPLANADE:

The sun sets over Westbrook Bay, Nayland Rock and Margate beyond.

DAY 20 - BEER FESTIVAL (ALL SAINTS CHURCH):

The Rotary Club of Westgate and Birchington hosting the 1st Annual Beer Festival at the Church House - behind All Saints Church in Birchington (Seen here) - in aid of Project Africa. Games, food and live music to accompany a range of ciders, perries and twelve real ales.
BEIJING BLACK and PIGS DO FLY (Pot Belly Brewery), BEST BITTER (Dark Star Brewery), GOLDEN DELICIOUS and PERRY POWER (Burton Brewery). NAVEL RESERVE (Whitstable Brewery), GADDS, GADD'S SEASIDER and STORM WARNING, CIOBB'S REVIVAL PALE ALE, DRAGON' BLOOD and GADDS' No. 5 (Ramsgate Brewery).

DAY 19 - DONKEY RIDES:

Even when a dense sea fog covers the beach.

DAY 17 - NASH FARM SHOP:

A range of seasonal fruit and veg together with drinks, chutneys and jams direct from a family run shop on Nash Farm found along Nash Road in Westwood.

DAY 16 - TRAFFIC IN THE CHANNEL:

A line of ships pass the rocks and sand of Palm Bay.

DAY 12 - EASTER BEER FESTIVAL:

2nd Planet Thanet Beer Festival organised by CAMRA and held at the Winter Gardens on both Friday and Saturday. A range of over 200 beers and over 40 ciders and perries as well as food and live music.
Drinks tried include BEAR ASS (Bear Town - Cheshire), DARK STAR (Litton - North Yorks), INCUBUS (Hopdaemon - Kent), DARTFORD WOBBLER (Millis - Kent), COBBS REVIVAL (Ramsgate - Kent), TOP TOTTY (Slaters - Staffs), PRESSED RAT & WARTHOG (Triple FFF - Hampshire), Wm WILBERFORCE (Westerham - Kent), PIDDLE IN THE WIND (Wyre Piddle - Worcestershire), GUNPOWDER MILD (Coach House - Chesire), DOUBLE VISION PERRY (Kent), BUSHELS MEDIUM-DRY CIDER (Biddenden - Kent).

DAY 11 - JAMES DECOR:

A useful and well-stocked DIY suppliers on Northdown Road. Helpful advice and the right product for fixing attachments to plaster and lathe walls.

DAY 10 - THE HARBOUR:

Seafood stall arrives in preparation for the Easter bank holiday week end.

DAY 9 - THE NORTHERN BELLE PUBLIC HOUSE:

A small traditional Shepherd Neame pub in Mansion Street. Real ale at last!! The Early Bird was delicious at £2.74 per pint.

DAY 8 - SUNSET:

Early evening on The Parade looking out to the harbour lighthouse.

DAY 5 - 16th CENTURY HOUSE:

A restored property on King's Street. A memorial museum to Alderman CB Hosking JP who began the restoration before his death in 1952.

DAY 4 - RONNIE SCOTT:

A vast treasure house of unusual antiques and furniture spread over 3 floors at the junction of Grotto Hill and Bath Place. If you need chairs, door knobs, china and staircase spindles here are very many to choose from here.

DAY 3 - PARKERS DINER:

A small friendly cafe on Price's Avenue with great breakfast choices and lunch specials. Closes around 2.00pm.

DAY 2 - SEA GULLS:

A noisy awakening by some early birds outside the bedroom window.

DAY 1 - THE BELLE VUE TAVERN:

A large pub on Northdown Road with games, machines and big screens for watching sport. Very few customers this evening and absolutely no real ale.