visits, exploration and comments...

Saw my daughter yesterday, played with the grandchildren, did the school run and called into my friend for the much needed cup of tea...

On the return journey thought I'd come back via Queen Street, parked up and did some exploration around the old Tomson and Wotton site; now Waitrose. Nothing there but I did notice on a walk to look at the library, one of the little turnings there was called 'Tomsons Passage' now that couldn't be a coincidence not with that spelling. I've had no response to my request for info' so I'm going to put some enquiries into the Internet search engine and see what happens....

Why is the library site taking so long to complete? Development for housing goes from the groundwork to occupation within six months! I know there is a question of ensuring the existing structure salvaged from the disastrous fire has to be blended and fastened safely to the new building, but FOUR years is pushing it. I remember that there was a no photographs allowed ruling so I just looked and wondered in silence....

So the Maritime Museum will be closed and vacated by October 1st, nice idea on ECR's site about a fish restaurant but what about the one next to the 'Oak Hotel' I think it's called 'Atlantis' and like the hotel; owned by 'Thorley Taverns'. I know we need competition but that's pushing it; a bit like Weatherspoons (suggested for the sad Pavillion site) vs the Sovereign (just opened in Harbour Street). I tell you what, it would make the perfect 'piat de terre' seaside residence for the millionnaire boat owner, just for that second home to be near the boat! Even the Pavillion would divide into luxury accommodation to 'die for' and the extensive refurbishment and renovation required wouldn't present any problem to the monied gentry looking for that 'special postal address'. Then maybe we could let the Pleasurama site be returned where it belongs to the Ramsgate residents to develop as an asset to be enjoyed by everyone; not just the favoured few!

walking on....

Walking on along the foreshore the Maritime Museum's still open and what an interesting place it is, very undervalued and used in my opinion. I noticed the first floor restaurant in the row of shops on the right is being refurbished; think it used to be the Captains Table lets hope the food and service will be better this time! I see the old casino is still up for sale....wish I had the type of money being asked. As I've said before the next owner is going to need plenty of dosh to comply with all the safety regulations before welcoming anyone in to spend their cash on what's on offer.
Crossing the road I see the Royal has had a facelift maybe to compete with our latest arrival that has replaced the indoor market. The Sovereign is massive inside and offers good value food and drink similar to the 'Harvester' type of fare, looking at the menu 'what you see is what you get, and fairly quickly. Walking on down Harbour Street the burnt out Italian restaurant looks in a very precarious state so I kept well away from it by staying on the other pavement. Crusties is back and looking very smart and busy as usual as I walked by. Looking across into the High Street with all its stalls, it was market day Friday of course, there were plenty of people milling about! Do they spend money and is the market here good for the area? I wonder what the shopkeepers think of it moving from its dogtrack venue all those years ago?
I'm afraid the pavements and walkways are no cleaner and they certainly sport some rather unlevel areas that must cause problems to some of our unsteady walkers. Turning right into King Street it looks as though it will be mostly living accommodation shortly with shops and the big pub (Braces)closing and becoming vacated waiting for another use. Michael's Bookshop still seems to be weathering the storm despite being between two empty shops. Must be his personality....