I like short water crossings when in sep and cross dvr to cap griz nez. I talk to manston for 2 reasons.
Firstly they sometimes bring in heavy traffic coming off airways at dvr 3000 ft. I have been positoned to keep clear of the 747 at 3000 ft dvr more than once. What has always amazed me on a cavok day is how tricky traffic this large is to see even when you know where it is. If talking to someone else you wouldn't know it was there.
Secondly I believe the coastguard plane is based at manston. Makes me feel better, just in case.