大象传媒

COAST TO COAST - PART 2

210 MILES OF BEAUTY| Boast the coast from the English Channel

PART 1

In this second leg of a seaside journey round the south eastern coast, Paul Ross is taking in the sights of Dover, Margate and Kent's best kept wildlife secret. So, join Inside Out as we explore the coast of the Garden of England.

In the first part of this seaside trip round the south east coastal treasures, Paul Ross joined the crew of 36ft yacht Vega A, skippered by Andy Dickenson in Eastbourne.

The great thing about travelling round the coast by sea is that it gives a whole new perspective to the familiar attractions of the south east.

Now it's ship ahoy yet again and leaving Rye Harbour behind, the sights are set for Dover, the gateway to the continent.

Dover is the largest of the Cinque Ports, and is part of the cradle of British maritime power.

"The ship swallower"

After passing the beauty spots of Deal and Sandwich, we eventually reach the renowned smuggling territory. Navigating in these waters demands knowledge and skill, as Paul travels in some dicey waters.

"Just off to my right, or as the skipper reliably informs me, our starboard side, lies one of the most treacherous features along this coast.

"The Goodwin Sands were named "The ship swallower" by the sailors who survived."

These seas are littered with grounded ships and knowing where they are will save your and your passengers' lives.

Del Boy ahoy

For those of us who crave some adventure in our lives, then there is a man in Ramsgate who's the epitome of adventure.

Some people, when they retire, buy a caravan. Others - a new car maybe or even a luxury cruise around the world.

Brian Selby splashed out 拢5,000 on speed boat and then dedicated it to his favourite TV comedy duo.

The speed boat is appropriately called 'Only fools and horsepower'.

"I watch the show every night it's on TV and I've got all their films," Brian says.

How can you go wrong in this?

But the boat took some getting used to for Brian. First he put oil in the petrol tank and then he accidentally grounded on some rocks.

Paul thumbs a lift with Brian, anyone travelling with Brian is surely in for a special treat.

This leg of the coastal trip might require nerves of steel, and as Paul settles down in the snug speed boat, Brian steers his water racer round the Horne of Thanet.

At the tip of the Thanet, we move, swiftly, from the south coast to the east coast, bringing us closer to our final destination.

Swimming with seals

Just outside Margate is Kent's best kept wildlife secret, although not perhaps for long.

Mike Turner has been sailing out to the banks of Thanet for the last 10 years.

The boat, called Wildlife appropriately, has a shallow draft, making it perfect for sailing close to the shore for some, wait for it, seal spotting.

Paul gets front row seats to the seal event.

"That's amazing. We're just two and a half miles from Margate's seafront.

Members of the seal colony

"Out there is the North East Last Sand Slit and we've found a colony of nine common seals including one pup."

Many people are interested in the seal colony, even if not everyone knows they are there.

Brett Lewis is a marine ecologist who, in order to learn more about the seals, collects seal waste.

"Seals tend to defecate in the water or by the water edge, so in the ten years I've been working with this, I've only get three samples."

The scientific world can now examine the evidence and truly get to know the seals, or at least what they eat.

If you see any seals, leave them alone but do take a look. By using binoculars you can get a good view of them and still keep your distance.

Summer-time trips to the colony can be arranged, weather - and more importantly, the skipper - permitting, you can actually take a swim with the seals.