The pier suffered major storm damage in 1949 and again in 1953, and was subject to severe damage from ice in 1962 /63. In 1968, after a structural survey, it was closed to the public. An attempt to open it again in 1970, ended following a major fire, before it was finally re-opened in 1976, the ceremony being carried out by Edward Heath, MP. In 1978, the central section collapsed following a storm and the pier was damaged again in 1979. It was 2011 before the damaged remnants of the pier were cleared and a very truncated southern end of the pier was re-opened. Further works since then have seen increasing numbers of attractions return to the pier, including the installation of the Helter Skelter in 2013.
This final section from Birchington-on-Sea, Birchington, through Westgate-on-Sea and finally in to Westbrook just before Margate proper where my accommodation for the night was located, seemed to go on forever. Sticking close the beach for the last couple of miles after a while even the sea and sky can become monotous. I chose this place to stay because it is relatively close to the train station and therefore a handy place for me to start back again on the next stage. Arriving in mid-afternoon I had plent of time to shower and rest up before going out to recce' my route to the location of the train station for the morrow when I need to catch an early train to London. I took the time to print my tickets from Margate to St Pancras and from King's X to Dundee, before going in to a local cafe for dinner and then heading back to rest and to start to put in to perspective my three hundred miles and three weeks of walking in Essex and Kent. There will be about two weeks at home before I return to Margate to continue the adventure with an approximate one hundred and thirty mile stage to Brighton. Onwards and upwards!
Bed in a bush with the stars to see,
Bread I dip in the river.
There's the life for a man llike me,
There's a life for ever.