Sailing Barge Greta

Part 3

Concluding our copy free feature

Sailing S.B. Greta off the North Kent Coast

Lying off Whitstable

Sav' takes up the anchor

Red Sands through the morning haze as we make for the River Medway

See Fort Fax for the history of the Thames Estuary forts

"Kettle's on" Val' looking at the Radio Documentary CD collection for sale onboard

For more information go to Offshore Shop

Upstream to the Ross Revenge tethered by Rochester Bridge

She's alongside the old ship breakers yard & overlooked by the Norman Castle

Evening from our overnight mooring on Strood Pier

There's more of Radio Caroline, Radio Monique & the Ross Revenge on the following pages

At Sea with Stuart Vincent : Caroline & Kevin : Caroline 1983&4 : Dutch Connection 1 : Dutch Connection 2 : Eurosiege : Glyns Caroline

Astern of us the ancient Russian submarine awaits a new berth in the Historic Dockyard as we prepare to go take over to Acorn Marine

The Ross through an appropriate life-buoy!

Mission accomplished we motor down the River Medway Steve & Sav' ready for a bargeman's breakfast

Upnor woods

Overhauled by tug towing a crane barge Gillingham marina ahead to starboard

"Flashback" A World War 1 U'Boat pictured in the 1930's with net cutter on bow

This was one of 26 dumped in the salting's of the lower Medway around Humble Bee Creek now long gone

Two U' Boat generator sets were to go to Daventry to power the early broadcast radio station 2LO

Through the Swale to the Kingsferry Road & Rail Bridge that link North Kent to the Isle-of-Sheppey

See Sheppey Through the Ages for a social history of the island & its links to the mainland

Bridge lifts are to a set timetable

The middle road-rail section raised

Bridge staff admire Greta

The middle section back in lowered position

Paper mill cranes

Wreck of an old wooden ferry

Close by seals bask on the warm mud

Out for a "Jolly"

On a Westerly Heading

Martin with Val'on the helm & Steve all supping the sponsors fine Master Brew

A couple of hours out evening approaches

Returning to harbour for a fine sunset across the bay

The late Peter Cushing told me in an interview for BBC Radio that this was his favourite view

Next morning up bright & early

Stern view looking into Dead Man's Corner Whitstable Harbour

A rare sight Val' at the wheel takes a shower without complaint as Greta sets off for lay-up in Faversham at the end of the season

Approaching the old Oyster House now an Insurance Company office on the ground floor with luxury accommodation above

Neighboring barges jostle to make room for Greta at here home port Standard Quay Faversham