A Weekend Wandering Around Kent (part 3, Margate again, from abandonment to Dreamland)

As hinted at in my previous post, a Weekend Wandering Around Kent (part 2, Margate), I had far too much material for a single blog post, so here's the 2nd instalment of the Margate section of my recent visit to Kent. Again this post covers all sorts of aspects of Margate, from abandonment to dreamland.

The pictures in today's blog post were all taken as we walked to Margate station, which will have it's own blog post later, on a day trip to Whitstable, which will also have its own blog post.

First up we have what seemed to be half a street of abandoned and boarded up buildings, I think along Bath Road. The one on the left looks as though it may have been a factory or warehouse of some description, whereas the one on the right looks like it may have been a shop. Hopefully the attractive brick buildings on the left will be restored and escape the bulldozer.

Boarded up buildings, Margate, Kent

The boarded up buildings continued for quite a way.

Boarded up buildings, Margate, Kent

This one was a little more curious. It may have been a shop but also reminded me, in a strange way, of electricity substations I have seen in London.

Boarded up buildings, Margate, Kent

As we left the abandonment behind us, we headed towards the station via the sea front, taking in Dreamland. Originally opened in 1880 but not using the Dreamland name until 1920. It's had a somewhat chequered history but I'm pleased to say that it now seems to be enjoying a new lease of life, with some attractions open even in the off-peak season. It's rise and fall and rise again is well documented in various publications, like Dreamland Revived: The Story of Margate's Famous Amusement Park.

Dreamland, Margate, Kent

Roller Disco, Dreamland, Margate, Kent

Dreamland, Margate, Kent

Dreamland, Margate, Kent

Dreamland, Margate, Kent

And finally for the 2nd Margate instalment, a quick doorway mosaic to finish off.

Doorway mosaic, Margate, Kent

I've now realised that the Margate post within the Kent post is likely to run to 4, if not 5 posts. My next Margate post will look at Margate station and the area around it, taken on two days, one beautifully sunny, the other unfortunately a bit grim. So stay tuned for more folks.

A Weekend Wandering Around Kent (part 2, Margate)

Hot(ish) on the heals of part one of my Weekend Wandering in Kent blog post, is part two. Whereas part one covered Deal and Sandwich, albeit in small measures, part two covers Margate which was our base for the weekend. I ended up taking several pictures each day, sometimes as we were navigating our way out of Margate to visit other places, sometimes as we explored Margate. I definitely have too many pictures for a single Margate post so will split this into at least two parts.

Before I begin however, I have a bit of conundrum in terms of how I present Margate. Each day showed us different aspects to it. If I base my post simply on my experiences of the first day, then it would have been a rather sorry tale of a run down seaside resort, whereas if I include only what I saw on other days it would paint a much rosier picture. Therefore, I will share all my experiences, covering all aspects of the visit, so you will see me flipping between subject matter and different days, but hopefully still maintaining some cohesion. Still with me? Then let's begin ...

Unfortunately by the time we arrived in Margate it was quite a dreary day. After checking in, we wrapped up warm and headed down to the seafront. If I'm honest, our first impression was a bit of a sorry one, and we were wondering if we should have based ourselves elsewhere for the weekend. The weather definitely did not help as we navigated our way through litter strewn streets and dog's mess.

As regular readers will know, I'm a bit of a sucker for ghost signs, and this building fitted the bill perfectly, still sporting most of the lettering from its previous use as a depository.

F.L.Pettman Ltd., Depository, Margate, Kent

You only need to do a quick internet search to see what the Margate Lido looked like in its heyday. Sadly today it's less than a shadow of its past.

Margate Lido, Cliftonville, Margate

Margate Lido, Cliftonville, Margate

Margate Lido, Cliftonville, Margate

Margate Lido, Cliftonville, Margate

As promised, this post will move around in content quite a bit, so from the run down lido we now move on to something a bit more uplifting ... ghost signs and doorway mosaics in the old town ... and some sunshine.

Doorway mosaic, King Street, old town, Margate

Not sure whether the ornate, blue section of the mosaic below is a more recent addition, or whether it was part of the original. I assume the clear section in the middle is there to allow some light into the basement below.

Doorway mosaic, King Street, old town, Margate

And above the this mosaic, a wonderfully preserved sign showing the shop's former use.

Ladies & Gentlemen's Tailor

and Breeches Maker.

H.B.SMITH

Old shop sign, Kind Street, old town, Margate

I was not sure whether to include this as a ghost sign as it seems to have been very recently renovated, however it tells a story and on closer inspection above the brightly painted signage is a sign for

STUPPELL Hair Cutter

Ghost signs, old town, Margate

A closer inspection of the signs reveals the hairdresser's sign in its full glory.

Ghost signs, old town, Margate

Old town, Margate

Another beautifully preserved shop sign, this time for

Clothier

T.W.STIGANT

Hosier

Old shop sign, King Street, old town, Margate

The final picture from part 1 or my Margate post is of street art in the old town.

Street art, Margate

I have plenty more pictures to share from Margate, and also other places we visited over the weekend, so stay tuned folks for further instalments.

And if you missed my earlier post in this series, here's the link to the one I wrote about Deal and Sandwich.

A rural wander around Crux Easton, Hampshire

A complete change of scene, and scenery, for today's post. These pictures were all taken during one of our recent post-Christmas walks, this one being a 5 mile loop around Crux Easton in north Hampshire.

Silhouetted trees in the late afternoon sun 

When this electricity pylon came into view, I was immediately reminded of the cover of the excellent book, The Unofficial Countryside by Richard Mabey.

Electricity pylon with the setting sun

Sunset near Crux Easton

It's been a while since I photographed any decay, dereliction or abandonment, either urban or rural, so here are a few pictures of a slightly forgotten but favourite subject matter.

Rural decay, a broken fence post

Rural decay, a derelict farm building, near Crux Easton

Rural decay, a derelict farm building, near Crux Easton

I must have taken tens of pictures of the sunset today, of which these are my favourites.

Sunset, near Crux Easton

Sunset, near Crux Easton

Sunset, near Crux Easton

There's something about poles and wires disappearing into the distance.

Sunset, near Crux Easton

And finally, the perfect ending to a perfect walk, the last glimpses of the winter sun as it sets behind the windmill at Crux Easton.

Crux Easton Windmill

    

Final part of my recent urban wander in and around Shoreditch, London

This is the third and final installment of my Urban Wander in and around Shoreditch. Starting with lunch ... I had a fantastic curry and my wife ordered from the brilliant Ethiopian stall in the first picture.

Indoor food market, Shoreditch

Indoor food market, Shoreditch

We didn't get chance to go in here for coffee but it's on the list for next time.

Coffee shop, Shoreditch, London

I can only partially quite make out what the writing above this shop says

....TOMS 18

Ghost sign, Shoreditch, London

I should have taken more notice about what this was as unfortunately I have no idea. Hopefully one of my observant readers will know.

Art installation(?), Shoreditch, London

The chimney of the Truman Brewery can be seen from various angles in and around Shoreditch. This is probably my favourite one.

Ghost sign, Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, London

Ghost sign, Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, London

Not quite sure was this building is/was, but clearly seen better days.

Abandonment and decay, Shoreditch, London

This is one of those buildings I've walked past plenty of times but only noticed the old signage this time.

WELLS & COMPANY COMMERCIAL WORKS

Ghost sign, Shoreditch, London

This next ghost sign is one of the more frequently photographed but until this wander I had no idea where it was, and in fact I only spotted it by chance as having realised my wife was no longer with me I turned to wait for her and spotted it.

BLOOMS PIANOS

PERFECTION

Ghost sign, Shoreditch, London

I was instantly reminded of The Prisoner when I saw this along the Regent's Canal near De Beavouir town.

I am not a number, I am a free man

Further along the canal, with the big white ball having stopped me from escaping, we came across this rather impressive urban topiary on a canal side apartment block.

Urban topiary, Regent's Canal, London

And for the final picture of the wander, another ghost sign as we concluded our walk in Islington.

Ghost sign, Islington, London

Another return Urban Wander around Shoreditch, London

Well, firstly welcome back to the internet. I have been without proper broadband for over 2 weeks now, but now thankfully today we are fully connected again, and at a super speed. I have however been busy during my period off line, and activities have included several urban wanders, of which this post chronicles a small part, and also listening to my old vinyl records on my recently purchased Denon turntable ... more of which I will cover in a subsequent post pondering my mid-life crisis.

So, as alluded to above, this post will be split into two or three parts. All the contents are taken from a recent, return visit to Shoreditch and its surrounding areas, but there's quite a few photos so I thought it best to split into parts rather than blast you all with one large post. I did originally think of collating them into some sort of categorised grouping, street art, ghost signs, abandonment, etc., but instead just decided to post them in chronological order, so here goes ...

First up we have a mix of billboard posters and street art. Not sure what the building that's been adorned is but looks like it's been disused a while.

Street art, Osborn Street, Shoreditch, London

Either this next building a little further down Osbourn Street has been recently abandoned, or the corrugated iron is temporary and allows access to whatever is hidden behind it. 

Abandonment, Osborn Street, Shoreditch, London

I particularly like this street art, possibly commissioned by the cocktail bar whose shuttered doorway it adorns.

Street art, Shoreditch, London

Unfortunately this next picture did not come out quite as I'd have liked and the lettering in the brickwork is only barely visible, but I think it says

YE FRYING PAN

which I presume was once a pub, and is now a Bangladeshi restaurant.

The old and the new, Shoreditch, London

As Osborn Street becomes Brick Lane, it's still not especially bust at this end of the road.

 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, London

Presumably an old theatre or cinema, now home to an Indian restaurant and a lettings management company.

Old cinema or theatre, Brick Lane, Shoreditch, London

I'm not sure how long this old sign has been exposed for, but it has been impeccably preserved behind whatever newer signage more recently covered it.

Ghost sign, corner of Brick Lane and Fashion Street, Shoreditch, London

Ghost sign, corner of Brick Lane and Fashion Street, Shoreditch, London

Ghost sign, corner of Brick Lane and Fashion Street, Shoreditch, London

Having been completely distracted by the ghost sign on the corner, I almost overlooked the view down Fashion Street.

Fashion Street, Shoreditch, London

Another old meets new with a new(ish) sign for an Indian restaurant affixed on top of an old pub sign, well I think it's a pub sign as the first word looks like it says

WATNEYS

Hidden ghost sign, Shoreditch, London

And now on to the street art part of the wander ...

Street art, Shoreditch, London

Street art, Shoreditch, London

Street art, Shoreditch, London

Thanks for reading. Second and third installments to follow in the next few days now that I have an internet connection again.