James Apps - Motorcyclist and Cat Lover

Are We Not Supposed to See the Sea?

2011-06-12T06:44:00.000-07:00

Bandstand - Alexandra Park

We went to Hastings, not like Harold and William in 1066, to have a fight but on a whim to have a wander obeying a recent urge to "do" the seaside towns. Having to avoid the M20 crossing at Maidstone we took the long way around to get to Hastings via the M2, Boxley, Wateringbury and the A21. It was a pleasant drive and we anticipated a walk with the dog Zoid around the seaside town. We had a bag of cash between us ready to feed the greedy meters and somewhat anticipated breezy ozone, the smell of fish and chips, candy-floss and all the sights of the seaside; we were even prepared for flocks of hungry seagulls.

Well, we got the seagulls and the smell of fish and chips but instead of wandering the seafront and the town we stopped at Alexandra Park on our way in to the seafront. We found a free parking spot, a bonus, the coins could be spent on coffee instead, and with the dog on the lead we began to explore.

Typical Seaside Houses

Cold for the time of year but mostly sunny with the promise of showers we took to the pathways. First stop was the toilets and on the way we located the cafe and admired the bandstand, but was most impressive after our call of nature was the walk in the well laid our park with its lakes and well laid out beds, the stream and bridges and having the pleasure of seeing the typical seaside town buildings bordering the park. The colorful and ornate facades, neat gardens and balconies with the palms and large trees growing give the place an exotic atmosphere that smacks of holidays and days out with the bucket and spade.

Alexandra Park is quite extensive housing two reservoirs, one on the main park area and the other on the southwestern arm with an extension beyond the main reservoir to Old Roar Ghylls, the nature reserve where ferns and water abound and apart from the occasional reminder from traffic noise that you are in a large town you could imagine yourself in the hills.

Squirrel playing the crowd

Walking was casual and we stopped to watch the birds and animals including cheeky Squirrels cadging for food, seagulls that were content to leave their exits to the last moment. We noted that the pigeons have it sussed - take food from the fingers and you get more; likewise the Squirrels seemed to pop out of the trees exuding cuteness in the expectation of being given a morsel or two. Their success rate was extremely high.

There was rain. We sat at a table outside the cafe eating cheese sticks and macaroons with a cup of coffee each and the dog quietly begging underneath and for a while it poured. We had some shelter and a rain coats to put on. However, we finished coffee, waited for the rain to ease and went back to the car to get a rain cover for Zoid and for sister to put her raincoat on.

Rose Gardens

From there we walked to the rose gardens and the Peace Garden, wandered past the miniature railway noting that it appeared to have a tunnel for the adults to scream in as it passes through. Beyond that a squirrel popped out out, did its "ain't I cute" act and gained a treat from us. Wander then around the reservoir, see the swans and in a pond further up see ducklings. From there the Ghylls begin and this is where the rain made it presence felt having given the woods and banks a freshener there was sunlight and water and sparkling ferns. The park is integrated into the town and now and then one pops out onto a street and then finds a way back into the woods.

We walked back along the streets to try and get a glimpse of the sea but the park is a little too far back in the town for that so we decided that another trip on another day would be a good idea. This time we will take the bucket and spade.

A short walk around Hever

2011-05-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Henry VII at Hever

We took a stroll around the area rather than the castle and the village. The day was cloudy and cool but Zoid the dog needed a walk and when I arrived he was eager to get going. The aim was to have lunch, a pleasant, enjoyable lunch to mark my birthday so the priority was a dog friendly pub with good food. We also wanted to to go for a walk without lots of crowds or to encroach on a beach where Zoid would be unwelcome (by the local authoroites). This England of health and safety, no dogs allowed, rules and regulations with an ever increasing burden of political correctness and box ticking paperwork.

This last is triggered by the demise of a local, popular event - the Queenborough Pirates event with new restrictions on walking the plank and the unfortunate fact that the Police are no longer allowed to thump Oiks who spoil fun events and the postponement of the Music on the Green at Bearsted near Maidstone due to excessive demands of health and safety rules and tight event compliance. Boring!

Gripe over. We arrived at Hever after a pleasant drive from Borough Green through to Tonbridge and Liegh and parked in the Henry VII car park. After piddling the dog and walking him around a for a while we went inside for lunch. Dog welcome and staff pleasant. My pint of Early Bird was excellent and we ordered lunch. Sister had a baguette with her favorite smoked salmon filling and I settled for the steak and kidney pud. Loverly! Nice price too.

Carriage at Hever Station

The Henry VII is worth the stop and if the weather had been nicer a meal in the garden with a magnificent view would have been even better.

The walk we did was from the Primary School, there is a path leading to a road where you turn left and follow another footpath into and along a paddock, the entrance is gated. We made the mistake of not going far enough and crossed the field to another path which brought us back onto the road again further down. However, we went past some houses and a small row of cottages to turn left, and a about a hundred metres further on we turned into the road leading to Hever railway station. Worth a visit this for the views over the valley. The station is the offices of a company with the initials DPL who are keeping the building in excellent condition; it is a pity there are no flowers or gardens added (Mr Beeching of the 1960's would be pleased at the cuts). Most peculiar was the old First Class carriage set up in the car park with steps and a platform leading up to it - what is this used for?

Pretty lake

We crossed the rail bridge and walked the path on the other side having noted on the way up a path leading to Hever which we wanted to take. This path up from the station joined the Edenway path that wanders around the river Eden and on to Penshurst. The treat on the way to the road we could see from the station was the cottage with the beautiful fenced garden and formal rose garden and the walkway in the trees leading to a meadowland wild flower patch buffered by a rough, natural area just right for wildlife close to the road.

We took the path and at the first stile we stopped - two reasons - getting the dog over or under it, solved by a neat bit of biscuit bribery, and because facing us was a lake and a gardens that appeared to be part of an estate. Rabbits and a flash of water lilies and the meandering building that topped the hill above stopped us in our tracks to admire it and enjoy the view.

Hever Church with dog and Sister

We discovered later that the lake belonged to the property alongside the pathway, put there for trout fishing , the lake now filled with carp. Zoid was barked at by the property owner's Labrador.

We followed the path to the lane and turned right walking past the house we had seen from the lake which turned out to be Hever Grange and headed for the Greyhound Pub approximately 600metres from the junction below the grange. We saw a nice neat row of houses on our left and failed to recognise that we had passed them earlier; realised it and carried on past the end of the station road to the Greyhound. there is a path there which led back to our starting point - the school alongside the pub. You reach a junction of pathways and take the lefthand one.

A view across to the Castle entrance from the churchyard

Just to say we had seen it we took a stroll around the church and explored the footpath beyond turning back when we saw it would take us a fair way past the castle grounds on a long loop back to the village. Besides, after a lunch and it being a casual walk we decided that we had done enough. There is always more to see but later we will return and have a wander around the castle.

What the Dickens! Rochester & Castle

2011-05-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

Eastgate House

On a day that began warm, a Saturday, and not taking a stroll elsewhere with my walking companions I decided a trip to Rochester Castle was a good idea. I used the park and ride at the top of City Way near Horsted to park the car and take the free bus into Chatham and Rochester. As a certain ancient comedian and entertainer used to say "A good idea Son" and so it proved to be. From the bust stop I walked casually into the pedestrianised high street, an extension or part of Watling Street as far as the art shop, Frances Iles, where I examined the goods - on the way back I purchased some water color paper.

But first, the Roman Wall and Eastgate.

The wall faces on to a car park and I could imagine horses instead of cars, and citizens, peasants and slaves looked upon by soldiers milling around shifting goods instead of shoppers forking out for parking and perhaps there for some purpose similar to mine, a little shopping and some sight seeing. And even in the increasing cloud there was still plenty to see. I imagined the Romans doing their bit, using the river and the land around living in a busy town and controlling the crossing perhaps with a wooden bridge spanning the Medway. As I passed by the wall, noting a man getting ready with a brass instrument to busk, was aware of the later occupation by the Normans - they stuck a castle on top of a hill to make their point - and how much their influence had shaped the city.

I can see you!

Beyond the wall at Eastgate House there are gardens and the place where Dickens' Chalet now sits, a rather incongruous but historic addition. It backs on to the old Alms houses where six men of the parish were able to lodge. In recent years the high street carries mostly pedestrian traffic and the motor traffic is redirected around the centre and along a wide road, nicely out of the way until you reach the bridge and apart from the odd glimpse along side streets one is not aware of it.

We have to mention Dickens and his influence on Rochester because there are reminders of his presence in the city and in Chatham. He lived at Gads Hill in Higham where he wrote some of his works and of course Rochester was the setting for Satis House (named as the place opposite The Vines) and the hub of Pip's adventures in Great Expectations. The annual Dickens Festival is well attended involving residents and enthusiasts from Kent and attracting many visitors.

But dominating the city is the Norman castle and the Cathedral both worth a visit. On this day I chose the castle and although the sky clouded over and became quite cold I took body and camera to the grounds and using my English Heritage card I entered and took the tour. With the aid of a handset (hire price £1) I wandered around from the portcullis entrance, down to

the cess-pit and up onto the battlements. Terrific views and good healthy leg exercise. I enjoyed the experience even with the wind whistling around my nether regions on the river side.

To look at the solid walls and the height of the keep one would agree that with having to catapult rocks at the walls and try to scale the place with ladders to deal to the enemy with swords and knives against pots of boiling oil, heavy missiles and arrows an army would give up. The silly buggers attacked. Mind you, they were sneaky. Having thrashed the locals and with a large enough army it was a matter of sitting tight for a while and starving the garrison out. One successful ploy was to burrow under a tower, cook a load of pigs and burn the pig fat and timber in the mine unde

Rochester Cathedral

r the foundations and watch the tower collapse in on itself. Result: the starving garrison driven mad by the smell of cooking pork, having eaten their horses, and not being invited to the feast suddenly had to fight some well fed, if greasy soldiers. They lost.

However, on the ecclesiastical side I learned that the castle was initially built for a Bishop whose subsequent replacements turned up in the city instead and occupied buildings along with the church and then the cathedral. Good idea. House are much warmer than castles and although they tend to get torched in a punch up are much easier to surrender from.

Rochester Castle

I didn't go inside the cathedral being content to walk around the gardens and was rewarded by some roses and ancient walls covered in flowers and plants and, letting my feet carry me past Kings College I strolled into The Vines gardens and saw Satis House. On the way a squirrel popped up onto a wall and sat briefly before scuttling off. I liked that.

An Ugly Bugger of a Building

2011-05-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

An Ugly Bugger of a Building

"An ugly bugger of a building"(UBB) is what my sister said when she saw the SAGA headquarters perched on top Ebrook Park in Sandgate suggesting the building was more suited to housing a power station than the offices of a travel and insurance company for the over fifties. But this was a reaction to the genteel nature of the older buildings surrounding the park and the ones you don't see from the road that face the sea. The auditorium building is better to look at reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House, a relief from the steel grey monolithic building that dominates the skyline. That is the objection. It is an architect's dream of verticality with the atrium taking space that could have been used to reduce the height and maybe have stepped it down with gardens on the balcony rooftops, trees instead of lifts and stairs.

However, we came, we saw, we mocked.

The intention was to get away from the rain on the hills and head for the seaside and never having stopped in Sandgate before we decided to go there, park and wander around the township. We walked along the waterfront to Folkstone and stopped off at the Mermaid Cafe for coffee. From there we wandered up into the gardens and discovered the children's adventure and play area which made us jealous of the children. Don't you just want to climb on the pirate ship?

There was much more of course. The zig-zag pathway beckoned but we left that to walk along further to find a three men practicing agile athletic movements - somersaulting over a barbecue table was one such - handstands under control and one man who leapt onto the graduated posts set there for that purpose and did a back flip from the tallest. Amazing. I was impressed but Zoid the dog couldn't have cared less, there was food around to steal and a drink of water to be had.

Apartments - Folkstone

Folkstone, the Leas and the waterfront gardens, were a treat for the eye, bulb flowers in abundance, neatly planted beds interspersed with meadow-land areas, bridges with wooden rails spanning pathways in arcs and views of the sea all added to the pleasure of the visit. All this before we saw the full impact of the UBB. The waterfront where once the show grounds were was clear and beginning to look as if somebody cared and the magnificent arc of tenements that once were falling apart glistened in the May sunshine.

View point: that once these buildings should have been used to house asylum seekers (and others) and allowed to deteriorate - the asylum seekers deserved better treatment anyway - was criminal in its concept. It appears that Folkstone is at last getting its just desserts, and that is a sensible policy on dispersion for asylum seekers and a regeneration that might make the place attractive to visitors.

Amazing Grace

We liked what we saw and will make another visit. There is a matter of scoffing shellfish (I can get rather selfish about eating shellfish) When it comes to eating cockles, mussels and shrimps, this partly portly bloke is a guts.

Walking from Sandgate to Folkstone is pleasant and walking back over the top you you can pass the Grand Hotel which is a magnificent building and appreciate quality. We did not visit the Grand Pavilion but did appreciate the building from below. The attraction was the zig-zag pathway. At the top there is a bandstand, bereft this day of a band but compensated by a trio singing a version of Amazing Grace accompanied by music from their own acoustic instruments. It was a wistful yet sincere performance.

We had left behind us the wonderful views of the new sea wall works and the breakwater groynes as well as the tasteful sand pit on the beach for the children yet wherever we went along the cliff tops we were always aware of the sea. This day it was hazy but tranquil; the heat enough to drive Sister into the shade, the dog to demand water and me to feel as if winter was a myth.

The intention was to explore Sandgate but it looks as if we will have to visit the place again. We walked down from the cliffs into the township admiring the ragstone buildings and the use of sandstone on some, liking the wooden clad houses and the general seaside look of the place. We added more money to the council coffers and paid for another hour of parking after stopping off at a cafe for a pot of tea and a bun. They let us take the dog out the back and have the tea there in the shade - Sister and Dog by this time were melting - and I felt like a bod out of one of the great artist's stories, in a cafe with bicycles around and people doing unrelated business as we sat and chatted.

View down on the Sandpit

All in all a great experience.

But back to the ugly bugger of a building; we had added the hour because we wanted to walk a round the town a little and explore the gardens. We did not know that the building we saw was the SAGA building because we did not see the stainless steel sign at the entrance. It was a custard pie effect when we realised that we were facing poor taste, the old custard pie routines become poor taste, but I like custard pies, I did not like the building.

Folkstone Gardens

The park was nice, a bit neat but then probably it has been saved from further encroachment by the Saga organisation, so all power to them, but I wish the building wasn't so damned intrusive.

Note that the stream running the length of the park was dry. Not a good sign.

Waddling around Wadhurst

2011-05-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

The Greyhound Pub

Just over the border of Kent into West Sussex is the village of Wadhurst, a place I do not remember passing through although I must have done at one time. The change from Kent to Sussex was apparent when not so much by the county sign as the change in building style and the countryside becoming more wooded, the hedgerows less battered by indiscriminate slashing and the road signposts. Sussex likes black and white finger posts, a different style of footpath sign and in general seems to be a little more spruce. We like it.

With the borrowed dog asleep in the back of the car we drifted through Wadhurst to look for what we thought might be a more interesting place but we turned around instead and went back to park in the village. Note the car park was free. Kent charge like a wou

nded bull yet here we were with plenty of room and a chance to stay all day. Bonus, a good pub on the corner that welcomed the dog. Good food and Harvey's ale too. I think it was called The Greyhound but it was the one opposite Blacksmith's Lane.

Cook's Sign

We went for a walk around the village for a couple of hours and discovered a peculiar trait with the tall chimney stacks - they curved! In fact the place was a veritable forest of chimney stacks, most attractive and some rather odd but worth a look. Excellent brickwork and typical of what we have seen in Sussex.

The spired church dominates the village acting as a focal point for the walker and although the trip was to Wadhurst there is Durgates and Sparrows Green to take into account as worth exploring. One attractive sight is the sign above the local Game and Butcher's shop. Close by is Wadhurst Castle where it appears that weddings and wedding receptions are carried out as we discovered upon meeting a well dressed and groomed couple on their way just such an event.

On the way to Bewl Water

Lunch of sandwiches over we set off with dog to explore the approach to the village Ticehurst end and it was there we saw the ornate chimneys. We also discovered from a friendly resident that we could get to the Bewl Water reservoir by walking along Blacksmiths Lane - so we did.

Mostly Wadhurst is on a hill so you will not only walk down roads and pathways but you will also have to walk back up them but the effort is worth it for the magnificent views of the surrounding countryside especially in Spring. The path led through a farm that gave the appearance of being well managed with healthy looking animals, flourishing hop crops and tidy yards with a well cared for garden. A treat.

Shops in Wadhurst

The walk down to Bewl Water was delightful and as a bonus when we arrived within the boundaries we saw the woodland floor covered in bluebells. We walked down as far as Cousley Wood and returned to Wadhurst stopping beside the water for a rest and a snack watching a fisherman catch a fish.

The Spring weather this year is wonderful and as usual with bright sunshine and fresh growth everything seems to be pristine, sparkling clean and wonderfully alive. It is a time for young animals to discover the world and for flowers to burst forth, meadows to show their stuff and for us to get off our butts and enjoy it.

Lambs and mother

As semi-intrepid walkers we see the countryside in all its moods and we can be lifted by the beauty of new growth that England can offer. Mush, but meaningful mush. It means that we do not want to miss out so our casual walking (all right hardly intrepid) must last as long as we need it.

Wadhurst Chimney Stack

I mentioned chimneys in Wadhurst. The complex brickwork and the shapes would have pleased our bricklayer father who could no doubt have told us much about how it was done and what sort of work it was. I have no doubt also that it would have been very interesting but I realise that unless you see them you have no idea what they can be like.

Bent Stack

Also look for the curved stacks throughout the village and the odd double round brick stack on one of the buildings. If you are curious, go visit the place and enjoy lunch at the Greyhound and a walk down to Bewl Water and of course a stroll around the village.

Emmetts Gardens - hot stuff and a thunderstorm

2011-04-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

The rockery

Dogless, Sister and I chose to go to Emmetts gardens, one of the National Trust's babies and discovered we can have the dog on a lead. Joy! However the day was not spoiled because when we arrived, along with many other visitors, old people, families and camera wielding blokes the gardens were in full bloom, raring to show off their beauty. Is it not amusing (I also include myself in this) how men seem to want to the best and most ostentatious gadgets? The women and general tourist visitors were content with their phone cameras and hand held digitals but we macho blokes with our semi-professional gear had to have a variety of cameras with lenses of all types and take photos using tripods or poles and look serious whilst doing it. Fun, we haven't a clue really.

Bluebells

AFountain in the formal garden

There was an Easter trail for the children to follow and it was great to see parents encouraging their offspring to get involved. The day was hot and building up for a thunderstorm - the atmosphere was electric - and so it proved when the rain came down at about five.

Visitor snoozing

Emmetts is close to Ide Hill which can be seen from the gardens and not far from Toys Hill - The Cock Inn and The Fox and Hounds respectively both giving good food, good beer and friendly service. The Fox and Hounds is dog friendly.

We settled for a sandwich at the NT snack bar.

Tulips

But the bluebells. You have to see the bluebells. April and May are the times of the year when the tender, soft and fresh foliage and flowers appear. The magic months that precede June and July and roses. Great stuff and hopefully with rain now and then to keep things growing we will have a good Summer.

We walked the pathways, enjoyed the beauty and located ourselves between Toys Hill and Ide Hill.

A quick look at the Isle of Grain

2011-04-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

Cherry Blossom at Grain

My artist friend, Bob Collins and myself, collected our paintings from the Historic Dockyard Exhibition on this bright Spring day - April 2nd - and out of curiosity instead of turning right to go back home to Sheppey we turned left and wandered into Grain. From Sheerness and many points on the Isle of Sheppey the huge chimney tower of the power station dominates the skyline. It is ugly, the sight of the gantries on the other power station and such is also ugly giving the impression that there is nothing but silos, tanks and pipes across the Medway estuary. So, the curiosity of two ageing painters got the better of simply wandering home, dropping into a local pub and shooting the breeze and we wandered to the end of Grain.

Tanks - Grain

Spring means daffodils, tulips,hyacinths, cherry blossom, blackthorn blossom, lambs, fresh green buds, primroses and bluebells and of course better weather. This day was sunny and warm; so much so that we discarded some clothing in favour of being cooled by the breeze.

The odd thing about being between two rivers, the Medway and the Thames is that the air is fresh although we have chosen the rivers as a ports and places where we set power stations, oil refineries and massive freight shifting docks. Everywhere there is evidence of this industrial exploitation yet we found an abundance of daffodils on the roadsides, neat and well cared for gardens, a clean, fresh looking farmland and some attractive buildings in pretty rural settings.

St Mary at Hoo

We paid a visit to Grain Village and looked at the church, walked to the reserve at the end of the island and gazed across the estuary at Southend and discovered a view of Sheerness from the outside, from the water without a boat.

Naturally we found a pub choosing The Pilot at Allhallows to have a drink and a meal. I cannot say the pub was good because it wasn't but at least the food was good and we were entertained by a drunken bum who wanted to play Johnny Cash records - go for it man! I guess you have to like caravan sites and chalet's to relax in to enjoy Allhallows, or maybe use the place as a base to walk the area. Nearby attractions are the soft beaches and the RSPB reserve at Cliffe, Upnor Castle and I suppose a quiet exploration of the villages.

View across the Thames

We left Allhallows and drove to Saint Mary at Hoo which proved to be a pleasant place, quiet and peaceful with some marvellous walking and views across the Thames. Pleasant walking, very pretty hamlet and as Bob said, a place where paintings suddenly present themselves and us without a pad or pencil between us on the day.

A deal to Sea at Deal

2011-03-19T14:29:00.000-07:00

Narrow street in Dael

The gift of a bright sunny day was too much to ignore so with dog in tow we took a trip to Deal on the Kent coast. With memories of visiting the Marine Barracks in the line of duty as a spotty apprentice with the Ministry of Buildings and Works ( Formally assigned to the Navy Works Department) the place called for a another visit; this time at leisure. Apart from a visit a few years back to Walmer, so close to Deal as to be part of it, we had not made a trip there to explore. The surprise was instead of the expected dull houses and rather scruffy streets we had expected the town is clean, tidy, and shows the pride the residents have in their homes.

But there is more than that. The seafront is interesting with buildings, many of them B&B and pubs that are welcoming and lively, for us it was a day of wandering and nibbling seafood and chips, some dating back early - one claiming to be a Tudor House - with narrow streets leading off from the beachfront road to High Street and crossing Middle Street. We were impressed with the pedestrian area, the shops, the lamps and the sense of history that pervades the town of Deal.

Camelia's in a garden close to the town centre

We walked past the castle and stopped at a cafe just past the lifeboat station - a lifeboatman and a police officer were chatting there - I gave a donation to the service and we were impressed by the readiness of the team and the organisation of the equipment.

Common to all seaside towns are the seagulls and were given a display of flying by Herring Gulls that hovered or soared and glided majestically above the buildings perching on roofs looking no doubt for nesting places. Welcome I say to these magnificent birds whose agility in the air is amazing and whose clean, pristine white and black plumage is a treat to the eyes. As long as you duck the poo Seagulls are great to watch.

Lifeboat Station

On the way back, we had parked the car at the golf course end, we noted the gardens of the houses approaching the town centre and how neat and well designed they are. Deal is a typical English seaside town and from a glance, or a quick out of season visit, appears just like any other but we discovered a neatness and a pride that is worth more than a second look. Back to the gardens: the boarding houses close to town are clean, tidy, beautifully, if modestly decorated, with some well designed and thought out gardens.

Fishing Boa

We liked the place and vowed top pay another visit. Any visit to Deal naturally will involve looking at boats. The fishing industry, stretched as it is by rules and regulations that seem to cripple the fishers nevertheless allow fishing to be done and Deal has its share. A visitor will see boats along the foreshore and will also be reminded of its maritime role with the Bell Tower Museum as well as the rows of working boats drawn up on the beach.

A Quick look at Detling

2011-02-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

Broken building Detling

The North Downs are always a place to go when winter is still hitting the weather trail. For the casual walker the promise of a sunny afternoon after a rain filled week and the chance of a quiet walk is attractive. The dog Zoid was eager to get going but we had to wait for news of a niece in transit from surgery before we could set off so an afternoon was in the offing.

House in the Woods

On the hills above Detling there is the newly created forest or woodland and not far along the Pilgrim's Way there is Thurnham and the castle both places where people tend to go. The attraction of Detling apart from the village is the woodland known as The Larches and the walk to Boxley and the Warren. We took the walk past there to the woodland beside the Pilgrim's Way and at the end of the bridleway followed a path between the avenue of beeches leading down the slope to Boxley and the farm track that stretches between Boxley and Detling.

The day began cold and wet but as the afternoon grew to evening the sunshine arrived and we were too warm. It was amusing to watch two intrepid walkers with sticks consult their map, pointing and gesticulating like the two spies in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and moving off with serious faces. The assumption was that they were following the North Downs Way.

We made a short excursion into the village to look at the church, a wrecked building and to use the pub toilet (price £3.80 for two coffees) and take pictures of the place. The Cock Inn is a good food pub and a place to lunch if walking in the area. From past experience we can recommend it. Beer is good too.

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Detling Millenium Sign

The attraction of the walk is that with care and by following the off road pathways you can avoid traffic. Suggestion for those who wish to walk from Detling to the Warren is to park at the Cock Inn and take a walk to Thurnham Castle via the hills, have a lunch at the Cock Inn and walk from there along the Pilgrim's Way and either walk into the Larches and hence up onto the the North Downs Way crossing Boxley hill and going on down to the Warren from there or to turn down to the farm track to Boxley to the village and follow the paths beside the King's Arms and crossing two fields turn toward the hills and meet the Warren there. You can choose your own walk back but once on the ridge of the hills a pleasant walk can be had which will lead you down to Detling.

Fly Tipping?

The fun is to explore the options and trust to your directional ability - discard the Sat - Nav and walk.

Capstone Park -Chatham

2011-02-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

Terns Feeding

We went to Capstone Country Park - a place that complements the parks of Shorne and Camer. Tucked in the valley that runs from Bredhurst past the Hempstead Valley that leads down into Luton where Gillingham looms over the edge of the hills. Assets include free parking.

I am not a Chatham fan. I used to live just outside in Walderslade and on Bluebell hill; the first we described in our address as near Chatham and the second as near Rochester. I went to school in Chatham, served my time as an apprentice in Chatham Dockyard, got drunk in Chatham and all the things you do in any town, I did in Chatham. But I have never liked the place. I have resisted going there since I returned to the UK until recently.

A Friendly Meeting

Recently with my camera in tow and my sketch book with a friend and fellow artist I have explored the Chatham Dockyard. It was an interesting experience and has created some art for me and a project that needs putting together. So, when Sister suggested swanning off to Capstone Country Park I was sceptical. Delving through the maps and recalling that we have been to many places in Kent I gave in and agreed to go.

Apart from the gloomy weather,

Gorse Flower in February

grey cloud with a little sunshine here and there, wind and the hint of rain, I was pleasantly surprised by what was on offer. Aware of the vast expanse of housing estates,Victorian terrace housing, grim rows of slate roofed houses and the mess of roads that are clogged with traffic, the ugly buildings and the encroaching tide of commercial building and housing it was with some trepidation I approached the park.

I expected and got the usual blockhouse cafeteria and overkill on the barriers with signs carrying regulations and perhaps a little too keen on management of resources but was not expecting the well laid out paths and trails that were integrated so well with other activities. The lake is artificial but looks near natural and the visitor centre looks as if some care was taken to place it in the woods without it dominating.

Flying Jay

The tracks are color coded and one can walk short walks or long ones with the option of using the public footpaths to places beyond the park. People beside the lake fed the birds which was evident from the flock of Terns, the ducks and the fat swans that gathered close to the cafeteria walkway. Moorhens and Coots sailed on the water and above them on the island were a flock of Cormorants sitting in the branches of a large tree. A little gaggle of geese begged for food on the pathway and wisely Zoid the Oid was led past them on the grass a few metres distant.

We walked the perimeter with a few excursions and had the pleasure of seeing a Jay dancing for its food, and passed the time of day with a local Horseman and his daughter. A treat was to talk with a gent on a mountain bike whose companions were two friendly Greyhounds.

A bacon sandwich and a vegie burger washed down with coffee at the cafeteria was a welcome break before we set off again to walk the middle bits. We managed the fitness trail - wearing ourselves just thinking about the exercises we were expected to do. Eek! My sister explained that when she lived in Lordswood Estate she and her husband would take their children to the park and at one time she was involved with planting trees. We found the plantation plus the place where small reptiles were encouraged, a rock strewn area ideal for lizards and snakes. Good stuff.

Sharsted Farm and a footpath to Lordswood

Apart from walking the park caters for Mountain Bikes, Horse riding with some extensive and newly devised Bridleways, a ski practice slope, an excellent children's playground and a few areas for educational purposes plus an events building. Quite a comprehensive range and all within walking distance of Chatham ( or a bus ride).

Broadstairs - a Dickens of a place

2011-01-22T14:10:00.000-08:00

Broadstairs - a little rough

I know that winter, January 22 to be precise, is not the best time to go to the seaside where the entertainment is more likely to be ice creams, buckets and spades in the sand and strolls along the promenade to enjoy the sea air. We had a stiff, cold breeze that numbed the digits, snatched at ears, delivered frost bite to bald heads and created a desire to seek warmth.

What's that?

We walked from the car park to
the sea front and along the lower promenade beside the sand and admired the buildings, the beach huts and enjoyed the splendour of a wild sea that ignored the wishes of a populace needing a drop or tow of sunshine. More like teetering on the desire to snow.

It was invigorating.

Lifeboat House

We walked up top the cliff top and looked at Bleak House (as one must) enjoying the whale shape lifeboat service building and watching for waves to splash the sea wall. A young Seagull obliged by posing on the wall of the steps leading down and we saw plovers disappearing quickly on the hard driven along by the wind. A stop at the Lord Nelson pub for a Guiness and a coffee was a necessary thing and after a wander through the streets and alleys simply enjoying the flint walls, the neat houses and feeling of being in a coastal town. Quite pleasant. We were dogless so a stroll was on the cards minus the need to remove doggy doos (as some irresponsible pooch owner had refused to do) and wander into the Dickens Museum.

Bleak HouseAdd caption

I like museums and will take or leave the commentary of the volunteers. The old boy who played the part of museum host was fine but a little irritating spewing out information that really wasn't needed. I felt like J in Three Men in a Boat trying vainly to enjoy his afternoon by the church wall. We didn't get skulls or graves but we got endless drivelling trivia in and around the most useful information the old boy could tell us. The idiot kept interrupting my thoughts about the writer's life and works and I lost the thread. I had images of him in the ruins of his ancestral home with Harris singing comic songs on the rubble - that was a comfort.

However, irritating old boys aside, the place is worth a visit and the old boy knew his stuff.

And for those who want to reach the beach without walking the steps there is a lift. I ask why? Maybe wheelchairs to the promenade?

There are plenty of places to eat in Broadstairs but we chose a non-descript Fish and chip shop which had some well done wall paintings of fishy scenes. Eating cod and chips in a warm place was a pleasure but the real pleasure was to have a wander around and casually walk the place and plan another visit in the better weather, maybe by choo-choo to avoid having to find parking for the car. We can stay all day (I do not think there is a zoo) and maybe walk along the cliff pathways. One thing noted that makes Broadstairs a great place is that it is wheelchair friendly for those who want to use their electric mobility and take a long (virtual) walk.

We intend to pay another visit.

A walk to a Windmill

2011-01-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

Detail of the Windmill

This Saturday was a day of cold weather after the heavy rain and high wind of Friday night. Still blustery with a the occasional sunny burst the idea of walking in the mud did not appeal so we pushed intrepidiness aside and decided on a trip to a paved area. The result was a pleasant walk around Herne close and above Herne Bay, the village dominated by the restored windmill standing proudly against the skyline.

The Famous Butcher's Arms

There is a car park on School Lane and from there we set out on foot to explore the village. Walk to the Canterbury road and you are faced with a wide area dominated by the imposing church and stroll down the hill toward Herne Bay (Toilets in the recreation and sports field) and take a look at Strode House. Beyond is a turning that leads up the hill to the

Windmill which is open on Sunday afternoons, Thursdays, and Bank Holidays all at limited times.

Hidden Parts

We walked along the road from there to Hunter's Forstal and turning right when we jolly well felt like it seemed a good idea. It was. There was a road we could walk on and to the left some interesting footpaths we could take if we wished - the going was soggy so we didn't - and a good reason to return and explore the area later.

As it was we discovered we were on School Lane eventually leading into Herne and took a paved footpath beside the school to discover the charms of the older part of Herne, a row of cottages leading to the centre and two buildings of weatherboard, the second of which, must have required some very thin and strong, agile contortionists to build so close are they. (By this time the light was so bad that pictures were getting difficult). The most amazing conglomeration of weatherboard buildings, Georgian and Victorian houses greet you as you wander around and it is a good idea for the visitor to search them out for themselves.

Forge Cottage

We walked up a little further with the dog wanting to travel all the way to Canterbury - Saar is not far away - but we were feeling peckish so we returned to the village aware that we had barely touched the sides and sought out sustenance. Dog friendly Pub! The Upper Red Lion, not looking its best in the winter murk but with a car-park creating a space before the church entrance it was most welcome. Inside it was cosy and we had an inexpensive lunch that hit the spot. A pint of IPA for me and a good strong cup of tea for Sister and we were set up for the day.

It only remained to have a look at the church. The entrance was a Gothic treat lined with naked trees reaching high and dark creating an arch that framed the spire and the door at its foot in a classical 'here there be Vampyres' fashion.

I have been to Herne in the Summer and I have to say the impression then is much different. Two friends and I had a drink or two and some bread and cheese in the Butcher's Arms. Behind the Butcher's Arms there is an old tractor with a rusting plough covered partly in weeds, but then most places have their hidden parts.

Sheppey Crossing - Kent

2011-01-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

Base of the old bridge

It was long decided that the old King's Ferry Bridge was due for a bit of help. Having served the Isle of Sheppey for many years as its road and rail link it was obvious that increasing traffic,long delays, especially when the centre span was lifted to allow ships to pass underneath and if there was an accident or road closure. The A249 was a four lane road from Maidstone to the Bridge serving Sheppey, Sittingbourne and the M2 motorway. Sheerness as a port with a steel works and freight forwarding docks shipping goods of all sorts and cars became busier and the single link was becoming more of a bottleneck than a thoroughfare.

Something had to be done.

View of the new bridge

The result was that after all the planning in 2004 the new bridge was started. Changes to the road alignment were started earlier and as
that progressed so the traffic got more congested. However the bridge grew and soon an arch began to form resting on large concrete pillars, the road bed became more real and in 2006 the high span bridge was opened. Many residents took part in a charity walk across it to celebrate the opening and today we cross it ignoring the old bridge and taking the smooth ride over for granted. The A249 and Sheppey Way is no more than another commuter road.

Curious Marsh Resident

Basically the Island is a mixture of commuters, farming, industry - witness the steel works - light industry and dockland activity with goods ferries crossing to and fro Europe. Farming is a mixture of crops and grazing with the odd chicken and fish farms. In the past the largest employer was the Sheerness Naval Dockyard and the Summer migration of visitors to Sheerness and Leysdown. Today, although Leysdown and Eastchurch see many visitors in the season the numbers are down from the heyday of the fifties and the sixties.

Norman, bird watcher. Interesting man

The Island, a place of many interests such as Bird Watching on the Elmley Marshes and the RSPB reserve as well as that of Shellness and Harty is also a great place to walk the dog, take part in what the Americans call Skeet shooting, clay pigeons and of course sailing.

This year (2011) I am taking part in 365 a project designed to post a picture a day for 2011 - the project is based in Faversham and runs simultaneously with another in Canterbury as well as on Sheppey. My initial take on it is to begin with the bridge and explore the island as if I have never seen it before; to look for new views of the familiar. After four years of use the new crossing has become familiar. I want to start by taking a fresh look.

Burnt out boat

We begin in the Winter.

The bleak appearance of the marshes in Winter gives way to color and activity in Spring and that is one of the things I hope to capture in my journey.

Westerham and the Zoid

2010-12-12T11:16:00.000-08:00

In the History of England there are many significant events and we all know the most common, 1066, Magna Carta, The Industrial Revolution, World War I and World War II among others. We tend to think of the two world wars as English and British although they were the last gasp of the British Empire and a means of setting up the modern superstates and all that. However, it is easy to overlook the achievements of some men and women in our History. Queen Elizabeth the first springs to mind with Drake and Raleigh who more or less fought for English claims on the Americas that shaped the future for our islands. The battle with the Spanish and the Portugese over the Carribean and the eventual fight with the French over North America and especially Canada has great significance for the Kent town of Westerham.

The George and Dragon

We, that is Zoid the dog, my sister and myself, took a trip there to explore and have lunch at the dog friendly George and Dragon pub. The pub was a good choice and more of that later.

We arrived at the town surprised that snow was still lingering there including a fair amount on the surrounding fields and as to be expected much dirty snow on the sidewalks and gutters although most areas were sanded. The day was a mixture of grey cloud and sunshine, cool but not cold and starting from the main town car park we walked across the sports fields crossing the narrow but fast flowing Darent river and into the town. Westerham boasts many old buildings and we saw many as well as some pleasant modern efforts, as well as the inevitable nondescript blocks of flats. These older buildings that represent the centuries from Tudor to Victorian give Westerham a charm that creates for the visitor a sense of the history of England. And indeed this is evident with the statue of General Wolfe and the Quebec House that remind us of the empire building that claimed wrested Canada from the French and claimed much of America before it turned into a Republic (and eventually saved us in two world wars). Westerham is proud of General Wolfe.

Churchill

Straddling the A25, the once clogged East West holiday highway, Westerham sits on a hill surrounded by hills and is a hub for Emmets gardens, Ide Hill, Toys Hill and other attractions including Chartwell House the home of Sir Winston Churchill. To show that Westerham knew how valuable the old warrior was they erected a statue to him as well. Both statues are nicely placed on the green - we also noted there was a Christmas Tree - and having passed through the town on occasion in the Summer realise how attractive these tow monuments look. Ah, but, when Zoid saw the statue of Winnie his hackles rose and he emitted a series of low growls. Weird, but then he is an Australian breed and it is well known that many Aussies don't like Churchill, stemming as it does from Gallipoli and again at Singapore where much of the AIF was stranded to deal with the Japanese. Zoid is a Kelpie, an Australian breed dog.

Westerham is small and it was a pleasure to walk through the town to the outside and discover footpaths which later we will explore. Paths that will no doubt lead up to the hills and follow the river East to Sevenoaks and West to lands yet to be explored.

A Row of house just off the main road

But to lunch. The George and the Dragon was a pleasant experience, friendly staff, an excellent menu and unobtrusive but friendly service. The bar we were in with the dog was cosy and comfortable with heaters under the window seats for that cold bum and back. Out back the garden bar offers views across the valley and in summer will make a pleasant place to eat and drink. We will no doubt use the pub again (with or without the dog) .

Snow covered farmland

A treat was meeting up with a man in Georgian costume standing in the grounds of Quebec House taking his leisure with a clay pipe and a snuff box. It would have been interesting to visit the place but with Zoid in tow we might not be that welcome. However, we wandered admiring the church and took a walk up Holey Road and back before it got too dark to enjoy the sights.

Gentleman with Pipe

The idea will be later to visit Quebec House in March when it reopens and look on the web-site for events. The history of Canada was set here we could say but at the same time we have to remember that it was Europeans ripping off the locals and arguing with each other over the spoils. Bear in mind that if it were not for Wolfe and the timely intervention of troubles in France all of Canada would be French speaking.

Chatham Dockyard

2010-10-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Typical quiet spot

Visiting the Historic Dockyard at Chatham was a combination of nostalgia and a glimpse in to Maritime history. The ghastly thought about the whole experience was that I was part of that history having been an employee there on and off from 1957 to 1966 - eek! Who would have thought that so little of the place would be left and so many memories would come rushing back. The places I worked are no longer there; the basins are subsumed by the civil docks and fill for Saint Mary's Island. The 200 Ton crane is gone and the only Destroyer left is a world war two veteran. The site of the old number one slip has been lost in obscurity and much of the old yard is merely a ghost of what it was; much of the workshops taken up with shopping malls, entertainment centres, roads and buildings and the old Naval Barracks now part of Greenwich University.

View of the slip

However, there is enough to make it interesting. The idea that people can walk around and play in a place where once I and many thousands of other men and women worked for wages, saw a navy that steadily was eroded and finally outdated is quite odd. I recall being the first tradesman to work on the preparation of the atomic powered submarine re-fueling station assembling valves in a dust free room after completing machining operations on them. We were apprehensive then about the viability of the unit and when I heard a few years later that the nuclear facility had closed and later so had the dockyard I was quite sad. Unfortunately that is what happens.

Bob taking a rest

To more cheerful things; the trips into the yard have proved to be good fun. I have met and talked with re-enactors, steam men, fellow workers and a lad from the school where I work who is now a security guy and looking to go to university. It appears he has better prospects than I but he also shares the enthusiasm for the dockyard. A reward.

Fairlight Cove - Sussex

2010-09-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Fairlight Church

Fairlight Cove in Sussex was a place of myth, a place where our father took us on what was for him nostalgic trips. This Summer during the school holidays I took a trip to Pett Level and to Fairlight and Fairlight Cove to discover the truth of the myth. In other words I demystified the experience of going onto the cliffs near Fairlight with my father and being frightened by the steep proximity of the sea viewed below the cliffs, the labyrinth of gorse and the mystery of why Dad wanted to walk these cliffs.

Rocks on the beach at Pett Level

Pett Level apepares in the story because that is wheer we often stopped for a sea side picnic, to gather winkles and play among the rocks and soggy beaches. My memories of the place were vague but I did remember roughly where we parked the car and piled out for a picnic. I recalled the canal, the grassy verge and the walk across the road to the beach which was always interesting at low tide. My two brothers and my sister spent hours there safe in the knowledge that our parents would not take us to a dangerous place and so we enjoyed it. Camber was our favorite but that was getting commercilised and there was a danger there of the sudden encroachment of the sea after the turn of the tide. The long sandy flats tend to trap the unwary. But the dunes and the sandcastles, pools and model sailboating were not to be missed.

The beach at Pett level

However, there are memories and my sister and I have different memories of the same times, she being some eight years younger than me, and sharing them was quite an experience. The first for me was the terrifying walks along the cliffs and for her it was the rocks at Pett Level thatfascinated her. For both of us the canal and the little houses alongside were etched there and these we found. The rocks were there, the houses and the canal are there and so are the cliffs but these come later. For the moment we will try to see Pett Level as it is. The place has changed, more houses, the sea wall is good if somewhat boring and the rocks are still there on the shore and below the cliffs. To my surprise, not because it wasn't there before, the Smuggler's Inn loomed dominant as a place to have a pint and a meal. Dog friendly and pleasant with good beer and on the second time around good food, the place seemed part of the experinece in 2010. In the 1950's I do not seem to recall the place being there but it must have been. We picnicked, my father was not a drinker (my Grandmother on my mother's side liked her glass of stout) so we would not be taken near the pub. There may have been a little shop there but only my sister remembers that.

Beach house - Pett Level

Now, as for the trip to Fairlight; it was on the way we discussed the idea why Dad liked the place so much. It appears that he lived there at some time and was always liking the idea of going back there to live once more. I can see his point. Fairlight is dominated by the tall church tower (pictured at the top) which was used as a lookout and a marker for shipping. That it can be seen from a long way is evidenced by the way it shows up on the high point of the hills from Pett and Pett Level. For the day it was a target, a place to head for and close by is the entrance to the Hasting Country Park which stretches from Hastings, close to the funicular lift all the way along the cliffs to Fairlight Cove.

Twisted Gorse bushes

The attraction for the visitor is not only the walks but that the unique landscape of rolling sandstone cliffs and the steep dipping valleys with access to the beaches below, the well managed 'natural habitats' and the fantastic views across the bays that change with every twist and turn. The day I went in August was a breezy, bright day and I was assailed by views so stunning that I gasped. I met people with dogs, children, fatehrs and children on bikes, old people walking and young people enjoying what is a magnificent natural attraction. The picture of the gorse bush (commonly known as Furze) is part of the walk along the fire hills leading to Fairlight Cove and what with the heather, bracken, bramble and coarse grass in abundance as well as the outcropping of chalk the walk came a live. Insects buzzed, birds flitted and from the sea came the calls of the gulls and the ever present smell of the sea itself. Yet walk away from the cliffs and you would think you were well in land on a rural countryside stroll.

Heather on the Fire Hills

Boats on the beach at Pett Level

I make no apologies for waxing lyrical. the experience was one that tied the childhood memories and the present day together and filled in some gaps. But what of the walk? Choose to go to the Country Park and start from the information centre - collect a leaflet and map - and take the the cliff path to Fairlight Cove, saving the walk to the church to last, and if you wish explore Fairlight Cove itself although a good stroll would be to walk back up through the woods to the center again and then to walk along to the Tea Rooms and sample their excellent fare before visiting the church. After that take the walk back along the road to the centre and take the paths across the top of the cliffs and choose a point according to the time you have to wander down into the bushy tracks and climb up and down back to the car park and visitor centre. Take your time, visit more than once and explore. The walking is not that easy for old and fat people (me) but is varied and deceptive for the time some parts of the walks take. The Centre to Fairlight Cove and back can take up to two hours.

Surprisingly there are some walks around Pett Level too. It is possible to walk from there to Winchelsea following the canal and naturally if you wish you can walk along the beach. There is a pleasant walk from the canal, crossing a wide bridge and up the hill past the pill box on the sandstone outcrop to the upper road, along to Pett and then down again to Pett Level.

There were a few other memories on the drive down that I recalled but they belong to another tale.

Robertsbridge

2010-08-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Robertsbridge straddles the Rother river and until recently was often a part of it during the floods but now with extensive flood defences the township is fairly protected. It must be a bit of a bummer when wallowing in your bath the water flows in from outside and it with horror you watch your rubber duck go floating out the door on its way to the sea. Not a pleasant sight.

However, Robertsbridge is a pleasant sight although when walking around the ancient part of the village with its plethora of Tudor buildings and one dating from 1320 one is not aware of the more modern buildings that surround the place and squeezed in the odd spaces. The place is attractive anyway and worth a day spent simlpy wandering around exploring the footpaths and in the Summer watching a game of cricket.

Northbridge Street Village centre

The day we went was sunny most of the time - a rare occurance this summer - and Robertsbridge looked its best. We wandered, nibbling on roadside blackberries warmed and ripened by the sun, fed by the rain and waiting for us to eat them, and walked past Bishop's Meadow to the road from Battle and back down to the centre where we wandered into the Seven Stars pub for a beer and lunch. Dog firendly pub with a landlady who loved our Zoid on sight. They have dog drinking bowls in the garden and in the mulit level pub. Wooden floors, wooden beams and a friendly atmosphere. Good food and beer too! Maybe the beer and food is blessed by the church right next door although it is a Methodist church so maybe it works in spite of the church.

From there after a light but excellent lunch we wandered (a lot of wandering) out of the village and on the way admiring the school as we passed by for its tables under the trees, allotment garden and pleasant design crossing the road toward Salehurst and hop farms to loop back through the woods and fields to the bridge again and back into the village.

The Indian

A nice feature was the two shp keepers who sat outside their emporiums enjoying the sun and chatting to passersby. Amazing to see an Indian motorcycle (I think it was a Scout) outside a bicycle shop and the owner, a declared Indian enthusiast selling bikes and all sorts of other things. Business was slow on Saturday but he said he was doing all right because people were buying all sorts of bikes. He had some fine ladies bicycles their complete with baskets as well as the latest Mountain Bike models. A scruffy but enterprising lad.

The next shop keeper we saw was a most interesting woman selling all sorts of junk to raise funds for a school museum and school - the shop was a far cry from the one in The Last of the Summer Wine but at first glance reminded me of it. Difference: the owner was genuinely friendly. And to show how these things happen we also popped in to see a local art show and that was interesting.

Although we spent from midday to just before five we barely saw all that Robertsbridge had to offer and we will return to walk some of the paths and walks in the area. It is said that one can walk from there to Bodiam but first it would be a good idea to explore the environs of Robertsbridge first. Return maybe to the dog friendly pub.

The End of the North Downs

2010-08-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

A glimpse of Dover

We travelled to the end of the North Downs where stands the magnificent Dover Castle and we walked along the White Cliffs with the dog. It was an interesting day because we met some extra dogs and three fat blokes with back packs trying to lose weight. Their problem was not laziness or lack of fitness - they were confessed cyclists - but probably from the shape of their bellies they were great beer drinkers. Knock off the beer lads and the wieght will drop.

South Foreland Lighthouse

However the experience for us was good and we enjoyed the walk along the cliffs to the South Foreland Lighthouse which is now a tourist attraction and on to St Margaraet's Bay at Sea although we didn't walk down to the gardens there. Time and energy did not permit.

The White Cliffs area is administered by the National Trust and for £3 parking charge you can stay all day (as the song would have it) and also have a cup of tea and a bun. One punter, a loud woman, one of those sort of people who have no idea how noxious to others they are, did nothing but complain. Evidently the cakes were not labelled, the price was too high and when a paper napkin blew away in the wind she loudly pronounced; 'oh well it must be bidegradable' (moron) and she was the only spoiler of the day. Question: why is it some people are insensible to the beauty around them?

Looking down onto the shore

Dover Castle is impressive dominating the skyline for miles around and filled with awesome history. There was a Roman Lighthouse there that probably was a part of much greater Roman works down below in the harbor and close by a Medieval Church. It is conjectured that a Saxon Hill fort started everybody off and as a result theer has been military defences there for approximately 1700 years or more if we include the Saxons. The most recent use was as a seat of government in the event of an Atomic Attack which makes me think of the word oxymoron thinking in terms of considering that if there was an Atomic Attack the government would probably have nothing to govern so what was the point. More useful was the tunnels and lookouts and high defences against air attack in the 1939 - 45 war (or 41 - 45 war if you are an American).

Dover Castle

But take a walk along the cliffs and discover the rare beauty of coastal landscapes and the amazing variety of plants and flowers that battle against salt winds and cold, harsh winter storms. We enjoyed the cool, windswept landscape, flet part of it and loved the soaring seabirds racing with the wind and hovering almost motionless a few metres from the edge of the cliff or skimming the edge screeching noisily but flying so gracefully showing off their natural aerobatic skills.

A most invigorating day.

A Walk around Pevensey Castle

2010-08-12T03:31:00.000-07:00

Roman Wall by the West Gate

Having visited Richborough and Reculver in Kent it seemed a good idea to wobble down to Pevensey and see what else the Romans had done. They get everywhere these Romans, building fortresses, Villas and sea ports, walls around settlements and towns and roads. We are well aware of the extent of their works and at times and in many places we can see the ruins of Roman walls and marvel at the size and thickness of their constructions. At Reculver we have to imagine the Roman built portions - the evidence is in the shape of the later buildings and the section of wall beside the Pub. Richborough is better with a clear idea of what might have been and an excellent reconstruction display although a wander around the site will reveal much about what was there.

North Tower

Watling street that reputedly extends as far as the Isle of Angelsey begins modestly as a wide track and can be followed on the map to the present A2 main road and traced up through the A5 if you are so inclined.

However, Pevensey is where it is at and here we can see some of the best examples of Roman construction and some good examples of medieval castle construction. Which ever way you come from Pevensey is between Bexhill and Eastbourne and can be reached via the A22 and A27 to the A259 or from the A21 through Battle on the A271 to Hailsham and follow the A22, A27 route from there.

Customers enjoying the tearooms

There is a car park directly by the castle - cost £2 for the day and an excellent tearooms close by the castle walls. The tearooms are run to serve organic and locally resourced foods with the preparation and cooking done on the premises. Very little is brought in and coffee, which was excellent, is fair trade. Better than pub food - the bar variety - and with the option of alcoholic beverages - the tearooms are a good idea for the visitor although the pubs are good too.

A walk around the village reveals a museum, formerly a court and lock-up which is well worth the visit and a church tucked away between the village and the wild life area and sports recreation ground complete with the church farm project.

The Court House and Jail

The castle itself utilises the Roman enclosure but with the addition of a moat on the north side. The keep was built in the 12th century with possibly a wooden palisades in the wreck of the inner bailey and later in the 13th century the addition of the outer walls and towers to complete the inner bailey. A feature of the castle is the well preserved Roman walls of the west gatehouse. Quite impressive.

Tudor Gun

The castle was used as a garrison at times to repel invasion from the French, naughty French chappies raiding our coastlines, which seems a little ironic when the Normans conquered the land after the Romans had given up, and of course the Saxons ( Germans?) (Angles and others) had their share of the cake chucking most of the Brits out. Once used as a prison and during WWII parts of it were converted to pill boxes bristling with machine guns to repel the expected German invasion. Earlier during Elizabeth I's reign to help repel the invasion of the Spanish Armada a gun emplacement was stuck on the embankment facing Pevensey Bay. The gun itself remains but the carriage it is resting on is a replica. It doesn't look very useful. At least by then it would have fired iron balls and not dirty great lumps of stone.

If one should be so lucky as to get to Pevensey early in the day a pleasant walk from the car park, through the castle environs and past the Westham church, cross the railway line and wander on from there eventually turning back from the sea - I did not walk these parts - and explore the area more fully. I kept close to the railway line doing a short circuit back to the castle which was the reason for my visit.

Pevensey Church

It was a pleasant afternoon topped off by and excellent very late lunch of sandwiches filled with local produce on locally baked brown bread and a cup of delicious coffee. Cor!

Kemsing - a walk on the hills

2010-08-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

Kemsing, sandwiched so to speak between Otford and Sevenoaks could be overlooked by the motoring visitor who would be tempted to visit The Chequers at Heaversham for lunch but for the walker the hills above Kemsing have much to offer. Park behind the Wheatsheaf pub and take a break at the tearooms - run by the pub or go inside and be made welcome. The walker has a choice between The Wheatsheaf and The Bell or walking to The Chequers, but we can recommend the The Wheatsheaf as it is most convenient and dog friendly, we had Zoid with us, and that was the decider.

As for a walk we explored the village realising the centre was about the oldest and noting much of it was modern houses, well built and attractive as were some of the older more established places making in all for an attractive village. Centre is the unique St Edith's Well and the gardens surrounding them giving the village a picture postcard look that is very pleasing. The Village itself has other treats and one was an ivy covered outhouse pictured, an old school, converted farm buildings including an excellent barn conversion and the shingle tiled church steeple.

So, apart from the quick look around the village we started from the church crossing the playing fields to find a public footpath cutting across the Pilgrim's Way leading up the hill to the North Downs Way. The day was humid making the climb for us older citizens a bit rugged but once on the top we were cooled by the wind and walked along the top at first discovering the path led back down again.

Retracing our steps we walked along to the standing cross and there at the top of the paddock we found the North Downs Way and followed it crossing a path leading down and up across the ridge toward the lower ridge where we found the newly designated Kemsing Downs reserve. As we had lingered a long time on the hill - all right - staggered up the hill full of lunch and a pint of Harvey's - we were getting a little short of time so we took the next downward path through the woods. Note that the woods were coppiced with steps for the path and opened out to a laid out woodland with paths leading around the area and through. we chose a path that took us back to the Pilgrim's Way and then down again on a paved footpath that led back to the village centre.

Camer, Cobham and watching for Choo-choo's

2010-08-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

Witht the dog eager to get going we set off to avoid skinny roads and combine harvesters - a wise ploy as the harvest is well under way and hoofing great trucks and machines dominate the minor roads in the rural districts. Squeezing past is not an option and when you are not that good at reversing a car over a distance my sister's preference was for the fatter, more urban roads. We used the M20 and the A227 to get to Meopham and hence to the parking lot at Camer Country Park. Our destination was a little vague but we had a mind to call in at The Cock Inn for lunch. This as it turned was a good idea.

But first. to the park itself. The park has a snack bar with seating outside, a children's playground and water tap with a trough for dogs to drink from - we had to turn the water on for our dog which was a waste of time because he preffered the water from the puddle below. From what we saw of the layout of the park this was once a country estate laid out well with specimen trees now complimented by hedges and natural growth and well kept grassy areas (a few grassy knolls so Presidents and world leaders beware). We wandered and left the park on the bridleway and weald way path leading to Luddesdown following that to where the weald way turns left towards Henley Street. The path droppped down past a fence line presenting wild flowers and butterflies on our left and growing sweetcorn and a new forestry plantings on the right.

The pub was on the left from Henly Street and we were pleasantly surprised to see a large car park, well kept buildings with hanging baskets and neatly painted accoutrements. Dog friendly, the Cock Inn was a treat with a pleasant bar room and a garden filled with colorful flowers and shrubs, bird feeding sacks and a fountain. The beer was Adnams, and good, and the lunch was excellent. We had filled rolls which were fresh, tasty with salad and at a nice affordable price. Our hosts were cheerful and friendly with a professional approach. We liked the place.

From the pub we walked down to Henley Street and headed up toward the railway cuttings. At Batts cottages turn left on the road and cross the rail bridge and a few metres on is a pathway with Cobham church in the distance.

First choo-choo of the day. We stopped to look back at the railcutting and watched a train pass by on its way to London musing on why we were daft enough to call it a choo-choo. No problem, we live in a world of our own where Eccles is king, Neddy Seagoon rules the world and Bluebottle is always being deaded.

At Cobham we did a walk around the church, had a chat with a church warden, as you do, and ate berries from a blackbury vine, our first of the year and headed back to Camer Park through the churchyard to Gold Street crossing the road there - the path is marked through orchards although you have to guess part of it - to the railway cuttings crossed by a rusty footbridge.

Second choo-choo sighting. Sole street is not that far away so we expected a train to come and it did. What an exciting day!

The walk back to the park covered some of the ground already covered so it was pleasant when we could walk on the park on a different route back to the car park. In all a pleasant walk even with a dog who wanted to run and run and run with other dogs. We have to take him on the lead until he gets the hang of doing what my siter tells him to do. He enjoyed it, I am sure.

This is our second visit to the area this year and I am sure we will find another reason to visit again. I can certainly recommend the Cock Inn as the place to stop.

Luddesdown - and the Dog

2010-07-26T03:55:00.000-07:00

The North Downs offers some surprising places to visit and so back on our trips again we paid a visit to Luddesdown close to Shorne, Cobham and Camer country parks. This was my second visit so as before we stopped at the Golden Lion before midday and went for a short walk up Cutter's Road from the pub and crossed to Luddesdown Court passing behind the farm which was getting ready for its open afternoon. We walked, we three with grand sight of the downs all around us, ripening barley and wheat and the sound of cattle protesting being cut off from their calves.

The path leads past the Court to the church and links up with the Weald Way path from Camer Country Park. We had a look at the church and then discussed the possibility of walking paths down past the cricket ground and decided to take the road back to the Pub for a drink and lunch. As expexcted the fare was simple but priced right and good - even the beer was good. Zoid the dog behaved himself and we felt at home. As a base for hiking in the area I would say the Golden Lion is a good choice being on the hub of many footpaths and part of circular walks in the area. For the intrepid walker there is Holly Hill above Birling to visit and on the way pass by Dode Church or alternatively park at Holly Hill and walk down to the pub and back. The Weald Way passes close by.

However after lunch we walked up the lane opposite the Lion and took the first path on the left crossing a paddock with a couple of grazing horses and so over the hill back to Luddesdown where we stood overlooking the cricket ground. We turned right from there following the ridge and followed the path into the privately owned woodlands. A fresh breeze cooled us down and my Sister who suffers from the heat was revived from her degenerating lethargic state. Even so it was still hot as the woods were open being coppiced but it was worth it when we again looked down on Luddesdown.

We resorted to the road following it past the cricket ground and back to the pub. On the way we had to stand aside for two tractors towing trailers giving visitors rides around the farm. Children waved. we waved and so did some of the more enlightened adults.

Luddesdown farm was set up as an organic farm in 1986 serving the local area with wholesome food. I expect they also sell goods on the general market too but are not subject to the demands of the greedy supermarkets. (I hope)

Below I have added a couple of poems that reflect my thoughts about the Downs. They relate to my Sister and I and our casual walking.

The North Downs by James Apps

We walk, you and I, gazing

Where wind sings in the trees

And passing memories brushing

Our thoughts, bend gracefully

With the breeze.

You look for small animals;

I see weary plodding pilgrims

And hear their irreverent tales;

You like my explanation, we both

Enjoy the peace.

Below traffic hums a pilgrimage

Remote from these gentle hills,

You see a rabbit sit up and dodge

Away at our coming; a lark twitters

Above the fields.

These days of green and yellow

Draw our footfalls to echo softly

Where others more dedicated flow;

Yet our exploring feet are not lonely

Treading the past.

There, ahead the path drops, steep

Our feet carry us down to the roadway,

Past curious and run away sheep,

Puzzling at our appearance, worried

Until we pass by.

Pilgrims Way

This roadway where Chaucer trod,

Noble Knights and travellers plod,

Inn keepers where their vittals kept

Once where weary pilgrims slept,

We too stop to take our casual care,

Sample ploughman’s common fare,

Drink coffee brew and local ales

And rest awhiles to tell our tales.

Walking on Toy's Hill - National Trust

2010-07-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

With a need to give the dog Zoid some exercise and to enjoy a shady summer walk we chose to explore Toy's Hill near Sevenoaks in Kent. A wise decision as it turned out. The dog loved it and was so eager to get in the car for the ride there we had to drag him out to put the covers down on the rear seat used to dog protect the upholstery. He almost strangled himself trying to get out of the car when we arrived at the The Fox and Hounds car park. A short walk in the woods, a drink and we took him into the dog friendly pub bar and had coffee and a drink - there is a dog bowl provided. The landlord was extremely welcoming and handed us the Toy's Hill walking map and told us of the terrain we were likely to experience. Lunch was light by choice but excellent and the beer I had was most excellent. We liked the look of the menu which is both affordable and varied. Top notch value for money.

Toy's Hill is one of the highest points in Kent and during the 1987 hurricane suffered damage to many of its trees. We took a short walk before lunch more to enjoy the day and give the dog a reason for being with us and saw much evidence of downed trees, their root clumps vertical and trunks laying on the ground. What amazed us was the way branches were now growing like trees themselves and some indeed wheer the main trunk was rotting had formed roots of their own. We were amazed too that some large trees had survived the blast of what we agreed was the Michael Fish Effect (MFE) and made some cruel jokes about weather forecasters.

However, aside from the MFE the woods on Toys Hill are beautiful and more so at this time of the year when the trees are at their peak, mature green and enjoying the spring growth and summer strength. The walking is cool and varied with easy slopes and some pleasantly challenging climbs for the nearly knackered and overweight casual walkers - even the dog was panting - eitehr from frustration at our slow progress or overweight not having been walked enough during the last month.

Toy's Hill is close to Emmetts Garden as indeed a path passes through it. It has some bridleways which are used so be careful to watch for horses and also incorporates part of the Greensand Way. As casual walkers we didn't 'do' all of the tracks but instead wandered some of them enjoying the undulating terrain and the view from lookout points.

The woods are kept in a natural state and the paths and walkways clear and yet unobtrusive - you know you are on a path but it seems natural to be there even although they are obviously formed.

Points of interest are the site of Weardale Manor and the Bat Tower. The manor was a country retreat but fell in to disrepair and was eventually destroyed. The Bat Tower was a water tower now converted to provide a home for hibernating bats. I like that.

Something of a disappointment was that in the very informative brochure theer is a picture of some Adders but we did not see any. Adders and Vipers were once my boyhood interest and I would like to see some on our walks.

We spent a pleasant afternoon strolling around and decided that Toy's Hill, a walk to Ide Hill was a good idea for a day out later in the year. We may even take a look at Emmetts Garden but unfortunately we will not be able to take the dog. A pity that because even dogs like some cultural enlightenment.

A final note: we were reminded by a fellow dog walker that Toy's Hill, Ide Hill and Emmetts and places like Knole Park are not from from London and other than the fact that there was congestion on the M20 which we had to skirt around we would not have realised how close we are.

Birling Village Kent

2010-06-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

Birling is a small village close to Maidstone and West Malling in Kent set on the road between Ryarsh and Snodland. Its attraction is the church on the hill and the ragstone houses built by the Neville estate for its workers. As the friendly church warden informed us, it is a fuedal village and from the way she described the community, the youngest Neville plays the organ at the church, and how the family are tied to the church and the land around we had to believe her. The result is an attractive Kent village with that look of the larger towns, such as Maidstone and parts of Rochester. The houses built of Kentish Ragstone and brick are attractive and are well looked after. Notably the modern newly built homes followed the older style and although it obvious that they are new they blend in. We wandered around in the heat taking a look at the church - there is parking - and took a stroll to the Neville Bull for a light lunch and some liquid refreshment.

The place is worth a visit. Statement of fact. The pub was clean, the landlord cheerful and friendly, the food good and the menu extensive. The Bull theme is carried out with some droll water color cartoons distributed around the walls - dreadful jokes - but worth a look. There is a large car park and a patio for sun lovers and smokers.

Birling has its own attractions, least of all the glowing roses that abound in the gardens which at this time of the year with the rain and the hot sun are going crazy trying to show off. A quietly pretty village Birling is surrounded by farmlands with paths leading to woodlands, to Ryarsh and back up to Holly Hill, a local woodland area. For the less intrepid walker the good news is that there is a car parking space at the Holly Hill woods and from there it is pleasant to walk along the West Weald Way or to take the paths to Luddesdown - that depends on the weather and the time you want to spend.

The casual walk around Birling in the twenty to thirty degree heat was a little too much for me skin and blister and at one stage she sheltered in the shade of a telegraph pole to keep out of the sun. Singing 'Waltzing Matilda' to remind her how hot it can get in Aussie I suggested we wander back to the church and go inside where it was cool. It was there met the church warden and chatted. A church has stood there since medieval times and has been impoved, added to and refurbished. It is worth a look and please make a donation.

The church stands on a hill which so its history suggests was used as a redoubt and a place to gather water. There is evidence in the run of the land that there should be a natural water flow past the hill and through it as a filter it being sandy and not chalk - hence the use no doubt of the Ragstone - with the occassional showing of willow where a stream flows.

Organic pigs and the Black Death

2010-06-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

One of the nicest things about going places you have never been before is that they turn out to be places you want to visit again. Luddesdown, a small village close to Cobham and Meopham in the Gravesham area of Kent is one such a place. With a choice of pubs to stop at I chose The Old Lion over The Cock Inn not because it is better but simply because it was reccomended by a local who told me the food was good. I cannot say the same for the beer but I did like my snack.

The feature of Luddesdown is Luddesdown Court and the Parish Church as well as the organic farm where you are invited to walk and enjoy. The farm is not exactly the hub of the walks in the area but is centered there in such a way as to be an integral part of a walker's pleasure. There are a number of country parks close by and from there some of the walks, including the WealdWay either include it in circular walks from Sole Street, Meopham or Cobham and Shorne Country Park or as part of walks around the North Downs Way which is excellent. As a result I met a number of people on various hikes and learned much about the area. I met a group of teenagers loaded up with backpacks and camping gear on their way to make camp at Meopham and learned they were doing part of their Duke of Edinburgh award - well done folks!

I drove to the church and parked, had a wander around and took a short excursion along part of the WealdWay and returned to investigate the Village Hall. A local resident and his dog told me the history of the hall which was once a school with the school master's house alongside. The school operated teaching most ages up until 1956. It faces over a valley, part of the organic farm, and down on a cricket pitch part of which is on a slope!

From the pub where I stopped for a pint and a chat with a local I walked up to the Dode church meeting a horse rider on the way who directed me to where it was. The story of the church is that it served a village until the 1300's when the population was hit by the Black Death and decimated. The Parson ran away, so it is said, and left his parishioners to their fate. The village buildings fell into disrepair and disappeared but the stone church remained and was converted to use as a barn. Today weddings are held there albeit using a registrar but access is limited as it is on private property. The girl serving in the bar said she and her friends used to go up there when they were children but would not go there at night - spooky, she says.

I walked back via WealdWay and to Luddesdown Court and watched the cricket match for a while but needing a lunch I left them to it and wandered back via a footpath across the fields back to the pub.

A Fleeting visit to Ryarsh and a flick through Birling

2010-06-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

I have often passed the sign on the A20 pointing to Ryarsh and Birling and as curiosity is in danger of killing the cat I decided to use a life and have a look. A doomsday village Ryarsh has a strange charm from its modern village hall neatly ensconced beside the playing fields to its 16C pub, The Duke of Wellington. The strange part is that the pub is called after the Duke that thumped Napoleon but dates from 1516? Time travel? According to its website the pub offers a friendly service but I walked in, found a few disinterested locals, a private function that drew all the staff away from the bar and a feeling that I was an intruder. Most unpleasant but we will try it later maybe?

However, there was a good reason for walking the village. I wanted to see what was there and found a few old buildings, a grand Oast, and an 1852 building pictured above which the owner was working on replacing inside wall linings and and the crumbling wall outside the house. He said he was going to reinstate the iron railings that formerly made the wall so attractive. The locals in their homes were friendly.

I walked along the old school lane and found the school which was once a school as to be expected circa 1858 and did time as the village hall and is now two houses. The stone looks like Kentish Ragstone cut to shape. There are other places in the village with evidence of similar material. Notably the older houses, there are a number of new buildings with 1960's and 70's utility stamped all over them as well as some more modern ones. Tacky stuff. Take the road opposite the pub up the hill (cannot remember the name) and there is a house named appropriately 'The Old House' with buttressed brick walls and late tudor style chimneys that smack of this once being a manor house - now a row of separate dwellings.

It is above this house that the road winds around eventually to the hills and disappears into a track. Footpaths head to the hills but as this was a fleeting visit and I needed a map I declined to follow them. The hills are those leading to the Trosley Park area and those above Snodland. Mighty pleasant looking part of the North Downs and well worth a further tromp.

In showing the Old School House last I have a method in my madness - driving through Birling I saw many of the houses were built similarly and I marked the place for a further visit.

A Walk with the wolves and bluebells

2010-05-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

This time of the year should be sunny with a little rain, pleasantly warm and a little cool; most of all theer should be primroses and bluebells in the woods. As statement of fact that England has bluebells in late April and early May. This year we were pleased to see them in Speldhurst but they were not yet in full lavender bloom so when we walked in the hills around Hucking in Kent we saw plenty.

One could wax romantic about them and naturally associated with Spring we expect beauty and a wonderful display of color. We can imagine nympths cavorting with dryads among the forest flowers if we imagine hard enough. What spoils the image is the cold weather that gusts in and out of the warm sunshine allowing briefly the warmth to release the aroma and to shine on the flower through the pristine newly sprung leaves that dapples the sunlight and gives that misty glow of myriad blooms dangling on their waxy stems. Cor!

The woodland trust manages the area traditionally mixing cattle and sheep grazing with natural woodland growth. The result is the increasing numbers of birds and the wonderful native flora (not the margerine) that is abundant throughout the season.

So we got our Bluebells and although the walk was pleasant we had lunch outside and it wasn't. Lunch was excellent but being outside where the smokers go because we could not take the wolf in with us was the hard bit. Zoid the dog is a good if somewhat demanding companion who thinks he is a wolf out on a hunt. (Twit)

However, the day although it turned wet and cold in the afternoon was pleasant and worth the trip. Bear in mind that now we just look at the bluebells and wonder at the carpet of blossom - when I was a child it was quite common to gather the flowers in bundles to take home and for a time have them sending out their musty aroma to fill the air. We also picked primroses but thenn the forest floor was carpeted with the blighters, and I suppose because people also took planst as well there seem to be less.

I like the idea of leaving them untouched except by cameras, insects and our inquisitive eyes.

Speldhurst - walking with bluebells

2010-04-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

First things first - the George and Dragon pub is child friendly and dog friendly complete with a water bowl in the bar (for the dogs) We sailed in, had a sniff around the village and returned to order a light lunch. Excellently presented and extremely palatable with a wide range of starters, main courses, desserts and wines on the menu. The menu is changed regularly but as they do not do bar snacks as such this could be a downside if you want a sandwich. Bite the bullet and eat a lunch - enjoy because the chef knows what he or she is doing. Top quality for reasonable prices. Again, be polite and let them know you are going for a walk and will be dining and imbibing of refreshments. Harvey's ale is on sale.

Above: The George and Dragon Pub

Next:House next to St Mary's Church

The old Farmhouse Bullingstone Lane

The walk we elected to do was suggested as a one and a half hour trip but we took much longer (Anno domini and fussing about the dog who needs to learn what my sister wants from him regarding walking) but no matter it was pleasant. Start at the pub and turn left walking along the road to a gate marked by public footpath sign leading to Bullingstone Lane. The path is obvious from there and will lead you out to the lane where you turn right and find the path next to Holly cottage. This leads down through the woods and you can take the left or right fork - we took the left up thorugh the woods to Coopers lane and down there to the path on the right on a tight bend that leads across fields with views of Penshurst Place and the Medway river below.

The route then goes down to the bottom of Coopers lane where you will see Poundsbridge church which is well worth the visit and back again up the hill on a footpath to a road where you turn right and go back to the top of Coopers lane and return along the path you came.

The day was a scorcher for this time of the year and although it was pleasant walking the sun was hot brightening everything and creating a heat haze in the distance. This area of Kent is steeped in history - as indeed is most of Kent - and has retained some of its finest old buildings and some of its most quaint and although Speldhurst has a few the impression we had was of a village that had developed with the ages giving off a mixture of ancient and modern and a feeling that here is a village with life.

St Mary's church was rebuilt in 1890 but according to the records there was a church there at least 900 years before. We did not go inside with the dog but the place looked interesting.

Walking around Kemsing - west kent

2010-04-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Literally check out the Chequers Inn at Heaverham, enjoy a drop of ale or a coffee remember that lunch is served between 12:30 and 2:30 and take a walk around the area from the pub to Kemsing. We took the dog but if you do be aware that there is a sheep stud farm on the route so please keep your dogs on leads especially this time of the year (Spring) when lambs are bopping around full of the joys of the said season. We walked the dog steadily and slowly giving sheep and lambs time to amble away and that seemed to work.

The route for the first walk was along the Heversham road from the pub toward Kemsing ignoring the first public footpath and taking the next one that leads down through the fields to the motorway. The noise from the road can be a bit obtrusive but the walk is worth it. The pleasant valley with tall trees on the edge of the fields and the little clumps of shade trees for the sheep make this route a delightful walk. Getting the dog over the stiles was fun - I chucked him over one - and as we progressed so he got less interested in the sheep and lambs and more manageable. Follow the fence line and yuo will see the stiles and eventually reach the road again returning to the pub.

Instructions: have lunch and a beer - Earlybird this time of the year.

Next we set off after a light and excellent lunch back toward Kemsing past the junction and took the diagonal path across the filed up to the Pilgrims Way. We turned right along that and took the path up to the North Downs Way - go straight up keeping left and work around the shrubs to the trees where you will find a post with white markers on it up a slight rise to the right. Follow the edge of the woods and you will meet the North Downs Way. As you climb the open hill watch out for the view of St Clere's which you will see in the woods below.

Follow the Way along the top of the ridge. It passes through woodland and out onto horse pasture and to a farm to cross the Cotman Ash road. Turn left and a few hundred metres down that road the Way continues on the right. Be aware that this is Private Property on the right and will have wire electric fences. We reached the end of the woods and turned down past the old Otford Manor and there we left the Way and took the track down the hill to Kemsing - Heaverham road crossing the Pilgrims Way. And so back to the pub.

A word or two about the pub. It will get busy in the summer. It has a large beer garden and a smallish car-park. It is set in a pleasant spot and the staff and locals are friendly. Above all it is a dog friendly pub but be ware that the dining area is out of bounds for canines. Food is good and there is a local charity that supplies small dog biscuits for a donation. Good stuff.

And a word about the views. Almost from anywhere the scenery is magnificent and from the hills it is wonderful with views across the valley to the Otford road and beyond and the edge of Sevenoaks. Ignore the M26 and enjoy the rest - it is worth it.

An Afternoon walk in Aylesford

2010-04-10T15:12:00.000-07:00

Again, a spring Saturday and we, my sister and I headed off for the equestrian supply store in Aylesford with the intention of choosing gifts for niece who owns horses. Aylesford is a place of family memories with St Peter's School and the Church being a part of our lives and our family history. Our father went to the primary school there. I was married in the church. A favorite aunt once lived in Pratling street and my mother's family lived at the Aylesford Forstal close to the Pottery and Brick Works. The village is now an isolated enclave of history surrounnded by industry and encroaching suburbia. Thankfully the ancient packhorse bridge is no longer part of the main highway and the traffic lights on the other bit of road from Eccles and from Maidstone are working properly.

Aylesford has a free car park near the new bridge and from there you can walk around the village and to The Friars if you are so inclined. Aylesford boasts the smallest pub in the county and the Hengist restaurant. The former a rough drinkers pub and the latter a most up-market but worth it place. Most friendly pub is The Bush but then it always was.

The team taking a well earned break

We decided to walk up past the school and was pleasantly surprised to see that the Jubilee gardens, once overgrown and neglected, are to be converted to a grand entrance, playground and gardens to the school. The local scout troop and volunteers were working on the area to begin the tidying up - we will no doubt take a few moments to follow progress.

We walked past the school on the road which leads back to the bluebell hill road and then onto a footpath behind the houses that follows the stream where once we used to gather watercress. On our left was the snad quarry with its machinery and warning notices reminding us of friends and others who had died there in the cold water trying to swim or raft on the treacherous water. The path followed the perimeter of the quarry and sad to say we saw people there - about fifteen or twenty - taking their chances.

The path leads out oward the edge of Eccles and Burham where we turned down toward Aylesford keeping the tower of St Peter's on our left. The Blackthorn was bursting to show off and looked pink and white which when we looked at the blossom we realised how the effect was achieved. The centre stamens of each bloom are red and pale yellow with white as the dominant color. The blossom was falling giving the impression of snow introducing the entrance to Aylesford Priory (The Friars) where we took a stroll.

We lunched late on snadwiches bought in the cafe and walked around the Priory taking time to stop in the chapels. Peculiarly the sanctity of the place grips you and reverence for the holiness of the Priory permeates your thoughts and suggests a devotional attitude. Sister Daffers lit a candle for a friend. I was moved to say a prayer of thanks.

We walked back to the village and enjoyed a game of memory when viewing the Alms Houses where our Grandmother May lived for a time and me trying to recall where a perforance involving my cousin Cherry took place.

Painters in Yalding and Wateringbury

2010-04-10T14:19:00.000-07:00

It was a sunny day on Thursday 8th of April so my fellow artist and myself took off for the Medway to do some sketching in the village of Yalding. We drove off with high hopes of a good day and had a look at the locks on the Medway first to see if we fancied drawing and painting the scene but discovered the watering holes were not that close so we went on to Yalding itself. First stop. The Pub. It was closed so we walked out into the village with our pads and pencils and took up positions ready to draw. Friend Bob Collins drew the Walnut Tree pub and I with my Fuji in hand took photographs and settled down on the steps of the war memorial to sketch my impression of the main drag.

Yalding, you will have daffodils growing on your grass and your village will appear to have been taken with a fish-eye lens. However, the place was pretty and well worth a visit for the artist who wants to sit and paint a village scene. The people were friendly and talkative and we noted that although there are pubs in the village the centre for people to gather is the cafe near the memorial.

We walked the streets, admired the church and took a stroll across the medieval bridge admiring the stonework and of course the view of the village church. Bob, being a fat bloke and needing rests at times took it easy so I adjusted my pace and enjoyed the scenery even the more so having to stroll rather than walk. We did a couple of sketches and I did a little intrepid exploring along a muddy bank to take pictures of the bridge.

We had a pint and a half at the pub and some salted beef sandwiches. They were delicious and I noticed that others who were dining seemed to enjoy their meals as much as we did. The service was friendly and the place was a pleasant lunchtime experience.

We waddled off after lunch to Wateringbury where we parked near the mill pond to do a couple of sketches of the pond and the houses around it. I took pictures and drew the old mill house. We walked up to the church where I used the camera and Bob did a sketch of the church itself. The churchyard looked beautiful with its display of daffodils and primroses and the white blackthorn, pink almond blossom and the fine spring sunshine. A note that in january 2009 my sister and I saw a brave primrose in flower near a gravestone and I took the opportunity to find the plant and see how it was doing. I can report that it is in full bloom and doing well. Good on you primrose!

Sevenoaks - Kent

2010-04-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

Sevenoaks was one of those places that we passed through or around with the occasional trip to Knole Park and the magnificent Knole House. This day we were expecting rain so decided that going to a town where they may be ready shelter was a good idea. As it turned out the day was not as wet as we expected to instead of dodging the showers we ambled around the town enjoying the early spring blooms and the experience of seeing the town from the sidewalks. The first problem was the car parking and missing a few so we ended up parking behind the theatre, cinema complex close to the pedestrian area.

Sevenoaks is an old town with a history that as we explore the area we will discover. The river Darent passes through to Dartford via Otford, Shoreham and Eynesford where the Lullingstone Roman Villa is displayed and well preserved. The town centre, once a market and trading centre complete with a labor market where tradesmen would sell their wares and services, is pedentrianised although old much of it has been modernised. I am not a fan of the clean lines that tend to make all buildings look like a kit set company has supplied modules to a limited range of designs but at least the older parts have been integrated with a little care. The newer sections have arches and narrowish lanes.

However, all towns and cities develop as the centuries pass and like many others Sevenoaks has done just that. The treat for lovers of buildings is the many magnificent house on the wide streets whose ages range from the 1700's to 1900's and of course the more modern structures of the later 20C.

Sevenoaks school, a secondary and boarding school that claims an international touch and has among its students some who are capable of places at Oxford and Cambridge and the Ivy League Universities of the United States appears to dominate part of the town. It's core buildings are ancient but the school itself seems to be progressive offering places that are well sought after. It reflects the tone of the town - genteel sophistication with the knowledge of its part in history.

Dominating the Tonbridge end of the High Street is St Nicholas Church opposite the Knole Park entrance and parts of the Sevenoaks school. Beside the church is the Chantry House built in 1720 which was itself built around a much earlier place in 1542 (I wasn't around then so I have no idea what it looked like). We walked into the church yard but unfortunately the trusting community has chosen to put security on the entry and bar all who do not have the codes. What does one do to worship the Lord at Easter? Seek his spirit in the nearest pub?

The little lanes around the church led us through Six Bells Lane (Above) and past some delightful dwellings and back to the main road. From there our stroll led us past the Constituional Club building to the Sevenoaks Cricket Club grounds from where we had good views of the Darent valley.

Earlier we stopped at a market stall and bought cheese and some delicious organic bread rolls as a walking lunch. The cheese was delicious and the bread tasted like real bread. As you can see from the reflection of the stall in the Chequers Pub window the bread looked delicious. We decided to walk and from the cricket ground (above is a view of the flower gardens near the grounds) we took to the Vines and down onto a suburban road, turning left St Botolph's road back to the grounds and then on back to the car park, ascertain the time left on the ticket and discovered we had enough time left to get a cappucino and an ale. So, it was back into the Shambles for a cafe or a bar. We found a bar and sat in there putting the world to rights as you do.

Shoreham - a village on the Darent

2010-03-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

We took the dog with us to Shoreham to give him a treat and so it seemed a day for everyone else and their dogs to be out and about. Spring weather, flowers not yet ready to pop out and the trees still bare of leaves but tentatively pushing out buds, Blackthorn showing its white flowers, Forsythia and Peach in bloom and the inevitable Daffodils. Shoreham is emerging like the rest of us from the dull winter and as a first time visitor was a most welcoming place.

Delightfully pretty, an unusual church and house that date back to Tudor times and a pub that claims to exist since 1500, it is a place that in summer is no doubt swarming with visitors. The river is the attraction if only for its wandering clarity and at this time of the year the menace of flooding and of course the valley in which it runs. Barely green the trees are still magnificent and as we walked up the hill to the cross on the bank we were delighted by the view that displayed the village including a clear view of a man wheeling a barrow to collect compost from the heap that serves the allotments. Naturally I spoiled the illusion by describing the village as a super Lego display.

Now spring is truly on its way we were delighted to see clumps of wild violets on the bank beside the woodland walk. We met people with children and dogs and our canine companion, my nephew's dog Zoid, almost loved every moment of it - I say almost because he seemed a little nervous of other dogs when he was on the lead. If we took him off there is no knowing where he would go so he had to subdue his feelings and put on a brave face.

However, the village was a place we need to visit again. There are no less than five pubs in Shoreham so this means that there should be another four visits plus another for the attractive Honey Pot tea room.

A View of the High Street and the Tea Room

The main attraction is the walk along the river which can be followed at least to Eynsford where there is the Lullingstone Roman Villa and the Lullingstone Country Park. We walked the village and turned down into Mill Lane with some delightful houses to view and of course the river. We took the footpath beside the river past the Old Mill Cottage to the bridge and weir and turned up toward the church from there. It was a pleasure to walk the avenue of Yews past the church where a couple of artists were painting pictures of the porch and to the field beyond.

We turned left out of the gate and walked back in a circular route back to Mill Lane via footpaths and then along the High Street to turn left again down to the bridge before which we stopped for lunch at the Kings Arms. I would not say the food was excellent but for the price it was more than value for money and earned praise as good. We sat outside with the other dog walkers as dogs are banned from the inside (must watch that in future) and enjoyed a chat with a group of people and their dogs and a young couple who had walked along the river from Farningham with their Spaniel.

After lunch we set off back along the High Street and chose the footpath leading up out of the village past the sports ground and play centre to the woodlands and hills above. There, once we had staggered up the top using the dog to pull us up in turns - he hasn't yet learned to walk and not drag the lead - was a terrific view and the violets mentioned earlier. We turned right at the top and walked past the cross, viewing it and then from there back down to the end of the village and back to the car park for the drive home feeling much better for the experience.

Shepherds Well - a mining village

2010-03-21T08:10:00.000-07:00

We went to Shepherds Well - a village in the heart of what was once the coal mining area of Kent. The village boasts a functioning branch of the East Kent Light Railway with a station close to the mainline station in its centre. We parked at the village hall and walked into the village exploring the roads and a few of the footpaths discovering a pleasant prospect as we walked around the houses. The village is built on a hill with a church, St Andrews, at the top across the village green from the Bell Inn.

Good beer, good reasonabley priced food and a warm fire which we did not need but it was cheerful.

The church was worth a visit - we arrived during a cleaning session and learned that the gift box had been jemmied open and rifled.

We have not explored this area before but now that Spring is upon us and Summer on its way we might take the plunge and explore the small villages that were once serviced by the EKLR and learn the history of the miners.

The village, just off the A2 Dover road has a charm that on this March day was beginning to show with a display of daffodils and rural activity such as horse riding, the traffic being sparse, and the unfortunate banging away of shotguns. Such is life.

The drawback to the peace and tranquilty, excluding the summer weekends when the railway is operating, was the wind driven sound of the Lydden Autosport track. I like the sound of motorcycles having ridden them for many years and at times visited the track when it was used as grass track racing venue, but the of racing engines straining to beat each other around a circuit is not conducive to a quiet walk in the countryside.

Okay, so gripe over, the price we pay for diversity.

The village is attractive and with part of the North Downs Way passing through it and many public footpaths that will take the walker on a trip around the village the place is worth a visit. For casual walkers we reccomend stopping at The Bell Inn for a meal and a pint or two (plus and excellent pot of tea) and enjoy the downs which here give views of gently rolling farmlands and lines of trees.

Right: The old bakery house.

As for the shotguns and the aftermath; we walked, now in the rain, to the outskirts of the village heading along West Court Lane. We turned around when the road became exposed to the weather and returned to discover two rabbits, one recently bloodied and dead and the other dying and close to death. As the two animals were not there on our way out we could only conclude that they were dumped from a vehicle or maybe dropped from a sack as the shooting came froma distance and this was near a some very urban looking houses. Most unpleasant. You shoot an animal to eat it. You do not let it suffer. If you do you have no right to be in charge of a gun.

But that was not what impressed us as you can imagine. The surprise was the friendliness of all those we met and the attractive gardens just beginning to come alive and the views as we strolled around. For a place randomly selected with no real intention of spending that much time there when we first arrived it gave us a pleasant afternoon's walk.

Right: enjoying a ride.

As it turned out we enjoyed the views and took a little excursion to Eyethorne where the EKLR museum is housed with intention of paying the place a visit later in the year. If we do we will post it.

A view from the West Court Lane.

Sissinghurst Village

2010-03-06T13:26:00.000-08:00

On this cold March day with the weather threatening to bring another cold snap we decided that a good place to go would be one of the Weald villages so we chose Sissinghurst to wander around. One of the pleasures of wandering around a village is that you do not have to committ yourself to a walk that is likely to take you into waterlogged or difficult areas or along paths that need hiking boots and sticks. You also get to see the village for what it is.

On many occasions we have passed through, sometimes on the way to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens and other times as a preferred road back to Leeds. It was a pleasant exercise to stop at The Bull and park the car, take a cup of coffee, threaten to return for a meal and start stomping.

The first visit was to the church with the school attached. The church is fairly modern being built in 1838, only a mere one hundred and seventy-two years old. It looks small but it is roomy although a little dull and is without a cemetary surrounding it - the cemetary is behind the school - strange but logical. The two buildings work well together and I am sure they have been doing so for many years. We had a quick look at Sissinghurst Place but the time for viewing the place will be on 14th March, Mothering Sunday, and Sissinghurst open day ( if the notices are right).

We took a stroll down Chapel Llane to where the Crane Brook crosses and decided to walk back again not wishing to wallow in the quagmire that surrounded the stream. Content to walk back to the village we turned along a public footpath that ran parallel to the road behind the houses that dipped down to the road leading to Buckhurst Farm. From there we walked back to the village and admired the buildings.

Left - Buckhurst Farm

Although the day was cold there were some sunny spells that on ocassion highlighted the March landscape - that washed out almost spring feeling as we wait for the bulbs to burst out of their winter shells (nice cliche) and the daylight to help the birds and daytime animals to feed. The recent snow and rain was in evidence with ditches filled with water and in places cleared to allow flow. The hedges showed signs of recent council and farmer vandalism in aid of clear views for road users leaving a bare skeleton for the birds. We are losing our hedgerow birds people - stop the hedge cutting - trim not slash. In the midst of all this moaning about vandalism we were pleased by the sun catching the poles and undergrowth of a hop garden.

This is part of the hop producing area and we expect to see at least one field - that was all we got. However, Sissinghurst village is a pretty place and with The Bull inn serving food all day and good beer the village is worth a visit. The intention being perhaps to walk along the Crane to see lake Chad and the windmill at Cranbrook town leaving Cranbrook for a later visit.

Right - the Sissinghurst sign and Penny Farthing

It would be pleasant in summer to perhaps combine a visit to the gardens at Sissinghurst Castle and the village instead of passing through. Our intention would be to follow that up and maybe walk around the castle estate from the village.

Right - an attractive houe front in The Street and below a neat looking rusty shed.

Sissinghurst is on a Roman road and as you may have noted from the location of the house shown above as on The Street we must realise that the word for street was via ( as in Via Appia). We use the word via to mean going through and as the road went from Bodiam through Sissinghurst to wherever it ended up it makes sense. We noted that in many villages there is often a road named The Street - could the Romans have made it?

Oh, and lunch at the inn was good. We had light meals, tea, and a glass of Sussex ale. The presentation and the price were good with enough to satisfy without the need to leave any. The Bull has a thoughtful touch to its bar - a supply of games to suit most tastes that will also help keep children occupied. It offers a children's menu. It also has a garden bar with a pond and ducks - too bloody cold to sit outside this day as the smokers are compelled to do. Give the place a visit and enjoy a walk.

Marden Kent - a wool town

2010-02-21T03:51:00.000-08:00

Marden in Kent not far from Maidstone was a wool town. Today it is a pretty village and on the commuter run with the rail line passing close by. We decided to take a quiet stroll around the place and hope to re-visit for a much longer walk when the weather will allow easier walking in and around the village on the public footpaths. In the meantime first impressions suggest that there is much to enjoy in this weald town that still offers the stocks outside the church.

The sign proudly declaring Marden is set in the centre of the village on a triangular island on which stands a building now used as a farm shop. You could say this is the village square and on this Saturday we found the place was quiet with the occasional bus and a few vehicles driving through.

We parked close to the Library and walked west along the road past the church and the railway station to return the same way. Sister D was suffering from a recent bout of the lurgi so we allowed ourselves the luxury of a casual and careful walk to allow for the chill although it was a sunny day. We stopped for a drink and a light lunch in the West End Tavern which from the outside did not appear to be anymore than a local pub. Surprisingly the place turned out to be a combination of local pub and pleasant restaurant wirth a friendly Saturday afternoon atmosphere that was most welcome.

The locals in Marden seemed to be friendly and willing to make conversation. The picture of the Old House showing a ladder leaning against a window from which a man was working was one such experience. We chatted about how the house was to have a former extension replaced and how the work to restore the rest was progressing. Such things make the trips worthwhile apart from the pleasure of walking and exploring our county. (And drinking the local beer)

The Church is unusual in that it has a wooden top to the tower and from research the church was begun at the time of Bill the Conker's invasion ( that man gets everywhere) although I think the set of stocks shown were given to the village in 1882 - the local gentry apparantly liking age old traditions.

We will return to Marden later in the year as there is much in the area to explore and perhaps we will combine some of the exploration with river walks. Whatever we do it would be a treat to return to a place we have only glanced at.

Abbey Woods - Langley

2010-01-30T13:22:00.000-08:00

Orchards and worker's huts - Langley

As they say, Christmas comes but once a year and this year it came with snow and other considerations for a pair of walkers. We had a task to do at Boxley church and visitors that needed attention. So on the last Saturday of January we finished the task at Boxley and found lunch at The Plough in Langley. Good sandwiches although there was plenty of excellent food on offer and pleasant beer and friendly service. The Inn was comfortably busy with a family atmosphere that adds pleasure to a bright winter day. The problem with our choice was the traffic noise on the main road that was a guide to location as we wandered the woods more or less casually for a couple of hours.

We passed orchards where itinerant workers are based - only a few in evidence as there is little to do at this time of the year and a few workers can cope. The tracks were muddy having thawed out a a little in the sunshine but the icy grass and the hard frosty surface of the woodland paths soon sorted out the mud and walking became a pleasant and welcome thing.

The intention was to stretch our legs a little - although the Spanish Inquisition might have been the best resource for that sort of thing - and to enjoy the clear blue sky, fresh air and the chatter of birds.

A Christmas Tree?

The paths are a bit unclear but are marked and although we more or less made our own way we discovered a public footpath leading from the Leeds end of Langley which will take you through the woods to Leeds with a diversion if you wish it to Kingsdown.

A view of the woods

The George at Leeds is a great place to stop but on this day the place was crowded out with no chance of getting the car in to park. Nevertheless it would be a good idea to get there earlier - we had been in Boxley until after mid-day - and try their cuisine as well as perhaps walking the tracks to Langley for a pint at the plough before returning.

So, we have started walking and blogging for 2010. Enjoy.

Charing - the tale of a Christmas Tree

2009-12-13T02:57:00.000-08:00

It seemed approriate that at this time of the year we take a short walk close to home so we went to Charing close to Ashford and on the road to Canterbury. Charing settles on the pilgrim's way and part of the North Downs Way and was once a resting place for the Archbishop of Canterbury. The old place was built there as a way station for the Archbishop of Canterbury on his trips between London and Canterbury. It was sold in 1629 and since then has deteriorated to the point where no self respecting Arch bishop could live there any longer. I believe in 2003 or thereabouts there was an unsuccessful attempt to gain funds to refurbish it and of late the Trust has collapsed which means that the place will be likely to fall apart even further.

Above: The arch leading to the Palace

- fat pigeons in hole to the right.

However, we stopped in the car park beside it and the church and saw an sign offering Christmas Trees so we went in through the arch, guarded by a couple of plump pigeons, and had a rare opportunity of seeing the ruins. My sister was looking for a tree and found one to her liking complete with roots for an exchange of monetry goods to the tune of ten pounds. It was a good looking tree and hopefully can be planted instead of chucked out for re-cycling.

Above: The old Palace Barn and store rooms

with Christmas trees on display.

Charing is a charming place and after we had explored the area around the church we headed for the village stopping at the millenium sun dial which didn't work - note there is a sundial on the church as well (that didn't work either) - maybe we needed to wait for the sun to shine?

The residents we met were very friendly including the people in the palace, and were willing to talk about their home village and some in particular were proud of the Christmas lights. There are a few shops in the village including a most comprehensive village store, a butcher's shop that also sells bakery products, a cafe where we had home made soup and local bread and a gem that nobody should miss. A chocolate shop! I can personally recommend the chocolate mice hand made by the owner. The chocolate is not only smooth, solid to the crunch and sweet but it is not sickly and affordable. A family went past us as a we were gobbling our mice and the children were running to get to the chocolate shop - I cannot blame them.

As a nice little stop on the way to somewhere Charing offers the charm of a historic village and a pleasant place to stroll - there is a pub in the high street and crossing the main Canterbury road there are some walks up to the hills and down again. It is a typical Downs village and one that many people would pass through but can offer some good walks - we will do some in the warmer weather and post them here.

It appears that a certain Mr Cackett was a manufacturer and engineering inventor who devised the diamond frame bicycle and made a motorcycle from parts he named the Venture. When we bear in mind that Ashford was once a railway workshops town and also had a thriving manufacturing industry that included making bicycles and mopeds one can understand the connection.

Wakeley House

Lamberhurst

2009-11-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

Wher do you go on a cold autumn day when you have explored much of East and West Kent and do not fancy freezing on the coast or wanderinbg around a city such as Canterbury pretending to go shopping? We have enjoyed much of our local area and have sorted some routes so that we can travel quickly to favorite places. We decided that Lamberhurst was a good place to go with the intention of exploring the village or town casually and plan further visits when the weather and the season is more friendly to casual walkers. It proved to be a pleasant trip although with not a lot of walking but enough to enjoy. We also discovered a leaflet in the local shop described as the 'High Weald Welly Walk' that guides the walker to Scotney Castle estate and to places of interest around Lamberhurst and Kilndown.

Lamberhurst, just off the A21, not far from Goudhurst and close to Scotney Castle. A pretty place in the summer and naturally we visited it in the late autumn. The day was sunny and cold and therefore ideal for walking although we did not want to tromp in mud. We are not that intrepid without a guide either in the form of a map or a walk plan. We stopped in the car park in town and strolled the main street taking a look at the wonderful church built of sandstone.

The rain during the week and the night before was so heavy that golf courses were closing for play so when we walked across the course on the buggy path and public footpath we were glad there was nobody at play. We did not linger in the church as there was a group inside doing what groups in churches do but it is worth a visit.

Lamberhurst has managed to do something unique with its buildings in most of the places we saw close to the centre. Firstly the old houses are well preserved and tidy which is a great asset for the place given the number of visitors it has in the summer, and secondly many new buildings have been tastefully designed to fit in with the older styles and do not look out of place. There are some modern styles but these are gratefully suppressed and the whole place is a picture - a photographic delight. The new mixes with the old gracefully.

With sunset getting earlier the problem with our jaunts is, apart from the walking conditions, is time. We have to adjust so if we want lunch we have to work it so that we have a return to the car with a short walk and make the longer one before. The problem with that idea is we often need a warming cup so this day we walked from the centre up to the church and back and stopped in the Chequers Inn for a coffee intending to eat there if needs be. The Chequers is a grand place with a polite and pleasant welcome, a good lunch menu if somewhat on the high side for price but quality seems excellent.

The bars of the Chequers are hung with paintings by local artist Jane Grey and worth a look. She uses colors and adds a wonderful excitement to her scenes. The paintings are well framed

and for sale. We didn't lunch there as it turned out finding the rest of Lamberhurst more interesting than hurrying back part way for a meal. Instead we nipped into the Swan where the locals were watching the Irish beat the South Africans at Rugby. A pint of local Sussex ale and a light lunch was taken and recommended as a place to go for food. We were treated to a pleasant, unobtrusive service, good food served by cheerful staff and heated by a warm open fire with a gentle reminder that Christmas is coming.

In all the day was pleasant and intruduced us to another part of the Weald that needs to be visited. Filled with history of Iron making, charcoal burning and clay work this area also has the Scotney estate and was once a Hop Growing area. I am glad because the beer in the Swan was good.

Battling around Battle

2009-11-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

On this exciting day of wind and rain we spent a few hours in Battle. We made the border crossing past Hawkhurst and followed the signs leading to the A21. We followed the signs to Battle and parked in the Abbey car park with the intention of looking around Battle but did the trip to the Abbey as well. Even on a grey day with occasional sunshine, heavy rain and wind the place is impressive. The autumn colors set off the dreariness of the old buildings although the town is attractive. We had intended to walk the battle of Hastings site but the weather was not helpful and we decided against getting wet and cold and confined our stroll to having a look at the battlefield from Harold's point of view. A bit one eyed you might say but under the circumstances a wise move - which is more than could be said of Harold.

The battlefield does not create much of an impression until you can imagine a wall of Saxon shields on the ridge looking down on the approach (the line of trees mark the flat where Willy had to come) knowing that whatever you did the buggers would still be up there on the hill ready to hammer the daylights out of you if you backed off. An uncomfortable feeling even for expert fighters such as the Normans.

As the seat of our modern history it is underplayed which means that we get to see it without all the trappings of hyped up tourism in the off season. The idea of walking around the battlefield is excellent in warmer weather but the day was not conducive; nevertheless we saw much and gathered much potted information from the hand held speaking guides. Still, it was a sly French trick to use better tactics and win thus setting the pattern for the English propensity for turning certain victory into utter defeat. We learn that Harold was a little over hasty to get to grips with William and stretched his forces out too much. He had no back up and instead of directing the fighting from above he was part of it and could not see what was happening. When the Normans did their false retreat his lot lost the plot and raced after the retreating soldiers and were in turn surrounded and murdered. Mind you - Henry V got his revenge in the return match at Agincourt (but by then most of England was Norman anyway). We determined to return in more favourable weather and 'do' the walk. In the meantime exploring Battle itself was a treat despite the obvious. One of the treats was seeing Anglo-Saxon names for streets and places. So did William really win?

Battle is old so we expected to find old buildings popping up all over the place. Right beside the Abbey gate there are two ancient buildings both eating houses and worth a visit and these form part of a town square with ancient buildings on all sides functioning as thriving shops and stores. The council workers were putting up the Christmas Tree (Yes, Christmas Tree) doing a manful job in the wind. They seeemed to be enjoying the job adorning what is a delightful town centre with a seasonal - sorry Christmas Tree for a Christmas celebration - bringing the thought that it is that time of the year again.

We walked a public footpath and got our bearings admiring the Police Station as we passed it and the new Library building that both seeemd to fit in; the former from an earlier time and the latter modern and tasteful instead of modern and 'orrible.

On the way we saw the Old Court Cottage and the magnificent Old Court house, now a dwelling, and a Tudor building that looked like something out of Disney movie.

We will be back later, next year maybe, to walk the battlefield and to explore the town and environs. Having explored much of Kent and enjoyed that we decided on a sudden whim to explore Sussex. Notable is the change of countryside as we move across the border into Sussex.

The High Weald seems different and the buildings are built differently to those of Kent which adds a sense of the new to what we are seeing. It will be a pleasure to explore our neighboring county.

Around Penshurst Place

2009-11-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

A day out in the countryside is always a pleasant thing and is made much better when the weather is good. This November day Kent looked magnificent and was waiting to be walked on, visited and driven through.

We decided to re-visit Penshurstand take a walk to the park instead of guessing our way around without a map. There was a rumor that a map could be obtained from the gift shop in the park itself so we dids't take a walk there, located the leaflets and partook of a cup of coffee brewed and sold for a donation to a charity by a hard working lady. We parked in the village near the church and Liecester Square and from there we walked to the gift shop meeting many walkers on their way from elsewhere coming in the opposite direction. No matter. We had no idea where we going to end up until we had the leaflets.

The idea was to walk and look back at the view as we climbed and perhaps do the shorter walk but instead we chose to do the longer route and as a result we made the right choice. We were warm and feeling good from the cooler weather and happy to walk on a well mapped path. The attraction apart from the views across the fields and the park itself was the huge Oak trees dotted around the estate. The woods showing autumn colors and the flocks of birds diving and flying; crows landing and feeding on the insects in the soil.

The day was wonderfully bright and warm for early November and although at times I took off my coat I did have to put it back feeling the nip in the air suggesting winter is not far off. The weather belied that thought and we basked in warm sunshine. There were two walks offered, the Parkland Walk and the Riversdie Walk. We chose the parkland walk and was treated to lovely views back toward Penshurst Place and when we reached the top views across the weald and as far as Tonbridge. The path climbs from the car park normally reserved for visitors bypassing Well Place to join a cycle way (route 12) and deviates past some charming houses to the river Eden and then across the fields to the banks of the Medway.

We crossed a field where some beautiful cows were gathering near the water troughs looking content.

We thought this was a nice touch as we have followed the Medway during the summer and early autumn. The path leaves the river and follows a busy road but we used part of the cycle track and when a path was offered further along the road we took it to avoid the vehicles that seemed to want to hurry along and miss the bright day.

The path climbs a hill and again we can view Tonbridge in the distance. Walk through a squeeze gate and onto an avenue of what we think might be Maples and then down through another avenue of Beech to the parkland passing the shattered oak and back to the village via the church. The oak is given the title 'Sidney Oak' to reflect the fact that it was there when Sir Philip Sidney of Elizabethan times was alive. From the size of it one would deduce that it is much older than 450 years since then and perhaps was closer to 800 years old. I think the fence is new.

Take this walk and enjoy it. The cycle track is linked to the Hayesden Park tracks and if you have the time try a walk either from the Country park to Penshurst and back or perhaps start from Penshurst early in the morning and walk back over the hills to the village allowing for a visit to the Liecester Arms for a meal. I suggest making it know you want to return and imbibe. Of course you need to look into the church where the Sidney family have their tombs.

I believe we will return for the riverside walks if the weather holds.

Penshurst Village and Beyond

2009-10-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

We went to Penshurst with the intention of walking around the village, and in a way we did. The day began wet and misty and as we had by now got the hang of going through Tonbridge to get to Haysden Country Park we managed Penshurst with hardly a tremor of the direction finder. The map we normally carry with us to guide us to the place unnerringly showed us the way. We found a place to park and disembarked for a wander. So we didn't take the map with us. And so we did not expect sunshine and dressed for rain. The first stop was at the garage come general store and post office for an ice cream. The next was to wander along the highway and look for a footpath to circumnavigate the village - which we did. We walked up Warren road beside the primary school and past some neat houses on a private road following the pathway down to the River Edge, crossing that to Salmon House where we saw ducks on a pond some flying in and one nervous creature who took off in front of me.

The greatest pleasure of the day apart from the exercise was the way the weather changed and revealed the autumn to us. As we had both been to Penshurst place separately and together we decided to walk around the area. We discovered later at the Quaintways Teashop that we could get the information from the gift shop at Penshurst Place itself and decided that a return visit and walk the second part of the village and take a look at the church as well was a good idea.

It was a treat to see the ducks and a couple of posing sheep. The day warmed up and so did we and so far we were on the right track - more or less. The sun came out. We stopped and doffed our coats and enjoyed the warmth. We followed the bridleway rather than the yellow arrow path and reached the top of a rise.

Now, this is where the map would have come in handy and the sunglasses because by this time it was coats off and blinking in the wonderful October sun taking in the autumn colors and the smells of the woods. We passed Wat Stock Plantation and instead of turning right we turned left. If we had had the map turning left would heve been the option. As it was we got on to the road eventually and walked through Weller's Town and onward until we took the road marked Penshurst at Larkin's farm (Hampkins Hill Road). It was at this point we realised that we had strayed a bit from our intended course - we recognised places we had walked past some two years before on a visit to Chiddingstone.

The track near the River Edge - you leave its course otherwise you end up backtracking and keep the woods in front of you and the bridge behind you. The river bends away to Chiddingstone and that is out of your way.

I recognised a gate and a pathway and some houses we had seen before and so we knocked on a door and asked the occupants for directions. We were directed to keep going left down the pathway to find the Railway station. Looking at the map we took the right way and instead went closer to the Vexour Bridge across the River Edge and found a path that led to Station Hill.

(The walk itself would take the path from the Vexour bridge and follow the natural direction that suggests itself - if you want accuracy well do waht we do - guess it)

The Penshurst place has a lodge or gatehouse (on the right)

We met another local who told us that if we walked up the hill, turned right and walked a for about twenty minutes we would arrive at Penshurst. He was right. We did. And once we had unloaded our coats into the car we sought a cafe for some tea and muffins. Quaintways Tea Shop is a delightful and popular place - much better than the pub I think for walkers.

As a bonus we saw the rear end of the Penshurst Place estate, and I happen to remember that the original approach to the estate was along the avenue you can see in the picture above right. The avenue is in fact a little further along but the picture is nice anyway.

The walk, which I can recommend took about three and a half hours - we stomped the last bit - and streteched our legs for about ten kilometres which is not bad for a couple of casual walkers. On the way we chatted with people and took some pictures as well as took in the scenery. We had time to stop and stare but next time we will take the map with us.

Walking in Wet Wingham

2009-10-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

Wingham, a historic town between Canterbury and Sandwich which we discovered goes way back to Roman and Saxon times. The Dog Inn has been there for a long time in some form or another and the Red Lion appears to be a well established tavern. We also learned from a local resident that the Anchor was newly opened and likely to serve lunches in the future. However, we had a sandwich in the Red Lion and enjoyed reading the historical bits plus the friendly service. It is the season for pub walks and pubs as anchors for our traipsing around.

As usual at this time of the year - October - the trees are shedding their leaves and the colors are magnificent as many Kent towns and villages will be at this time of the year.

We walked the town and was pleased to note that the shops were entering into the spirit of the season, Halloween, and had displays in their windows. We were impressed with the fierce pumkin displayed in the local dentists window. We were also impressed by the display in the local bakery - yes bakery with home-made pies, cakes, bread and buns. In fact Wingham seemed to be modestly serviced by shops that aimed to please.

The place seemed to impose itself upon us and we were apprached by locals who volunteered snippets of information about themselves and the town. The fact that there was a fairground nearby which is fiercely defended by locals and the hunt that comes to Winham - agree or not the hunt is a pretty sight even if the fox would disagree.

The major problem is that the road is busy with cars and trucks which takes the edge of the experience - some drivers refusing to obey the rules of the road and insist on speeding through the town.

We chose to go there for two reasons.

One reason was that we have passed through the place a number of times and ignored it and the other was that as it was raining we thought that there would be places to shelter (a pub) and we were right. This is a good place to visit and we also learned that there are some walks around the area connected to the coal miners and again we saw how connected with Sandwich and the early settlers that Wingham itself is.

We looked at the church and met up with the driver of a vintage Rolls Royce employed to convey the bride and groom from the church to their reception. (She was beautiful - oh, the car and the Bride!) We had a chat with the driver who told us about the car's history and his business and we saw how happy the young woman looked when she and her newly wedded husband took their seats in the immaculate car.

We were impressed by the gentleman with the Rolls Royce and his attitude toward his clients. Rosie the 1933 Roller was immaculate and so with no embarrassment we would reccomend Vintage Vows for a wedding car and blatantly suggest you call them on 01227 794706 or 07734934209 - this is a luxury not to be missed by a man who has the day of the bride in mind.

However, there are some pleasant spots and here and there we wandered into places that were so quiet that the traffic passing through seemed to disappear and we saw what many small towns and villages in Kent seem to offer - surprising little treats of ancient buildings and even more impressively ancient trees. Wingham has a lot to offer in history and in beauty.

I think the idea that you there for the bird and wild life park is only part of the story. Wingham goes back to Roman times and I would say that with the river there and the arable land there must have been an earlier settlement well before even the Romans arrived to plant there villas. There is in fact a villa there (site of) but given the time we did not have the chance to find it.

Sheffield Park - Autumn 2009

2009-10-17T12:57:00.000-07:00

The thing with Sheffield Park is that it is different in all seasons and never the same in any. We took a trip down there for the Autumn aware that we may not get down there at the height of the fall season but wanting to witness the change. It was a dull day but the colors emerged in all their glory. The drive there was a pleasant experience with evidence that the Autumn was coming; chestnuts falling, leaves turning and the planting alongside the main roads showing the colors. This Capability Brown joker has the right idea and as we stood on the bridge between two lakes we were impressed once more by the sheer audacity of design; the ability of a man to project his vision on a piece of land and create a thing of beauty that although artificial appears so natural.

I took nearly two hundred photos on the day and it was with some difficulty that I have selected these to show a little of what we saw on the day. From the view of the lakes - hence the panoramas above and the huge chestnuts that have fallen to leave their fascinating stumps behind to the exotic Nikau Palms with

their clusters of ripening berries there is variety. The gardnes are not a static display but one that will change with the seasons and als as plants dies off and need to be replaced.

Mostly we go there for the lake and the changing seasons but on each visit I am sure I see more and different aspects of the park that make it come alive. I know that both of us, my

Sister and myself were surprised by the impact it had on our senses and once more appreciated what the past has left for us to enjoy.

And if you think that what I have written is sickly then maybe you should go and see the place for yourself.

The simple truth is that we are attracted by gardens such as these and from what we learned on our journey the estimated number of visitors for that day was about two thousand. Which information was considerable because the Bluebell Railway was also open for visitors.

It remains only to visit the place in Winter when there is snow and enjoy the magic of a real winter garden. maybe at sunset with tall glasses of Rose wine and the promise of warm winter soup and pictures taken of icicles with the sun glinting through them. Or maybe watch for the winter fairies and feed the ducks and swans.

We went back to Haysden Country Park

2009-10-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

Having had taster of what seemed to be a contrived and tightly engineered park we decided to return to see what else it had to offer. In fact it was matter of appreciating what we had discovered before. The compatability between cylist and walker and the chance to allow bridleways to cross, fishermen and yachties to have a bash as well came home as we walked the pathways. We parked at the main car park, paid our pennies and toddled off on the well formed path ways to enjoy the October sunshine, ducks on the water, the comfort of knowing that we were close to the Medway and surprised that we were also about to cross the A21 and walk near a railway.

We decided to walk to Liegh a small village not far from Tonbridge and was pleasantly surprised by it rich colors and the village green overlooked by a delightful church. Not only was the place a typical village with a green, an old primary school and a couple of pubs but in a village hall we found a class of children making crafts that was run by a church youth group. We had a cup of tea and a biscuit - a donation was all that was asked - and sat on a bench in the warm October sunshine to enjoy it.

The village of Leigh has a history linked to Penshurst Place and to Tonbridge and according to the local website has a conservation area around the village green and at least forty-nine listed buildings. The place is worth a visit and if it was not for the walk from Haysden park we may have chosen the place as our starting point - it has a welcoming atmosphere sitting as it does on the Medway valley.

We bought a couple of rolls in the village shop (next to the Bat and Ball Pub) and took them up to the church to devour them sitting on a bench in the sunshine where a wall was devoted to the dead by plaques and memoranda which was a pleasant touch. It must be said that the views fromm the churchyard are excellent and not to be missed.

It was also a surprise to realise that we were not all that far from Penshurst place and Penshurst village. This we hope will be a later visit. In the meantime we can recommend Haysden Park as a place to walk and to keep in touch with the Medway. It is cycle friendly, walker friendly and also, like the Woodland Trust areas seems to encourage grazing cattle.

We took directions from a local walker but they turned out to be a little erronenous so we had to make a sudden dash back on our tracks. However, the experience did the cardio-vascular excercise bit we needed and I am sure we benefitted from the walk.

The park is a great place for walkers and wildlife lovers alike as well as cyclists.

It was good to see cattle happily grazing and drinking from the river.

We may make some more river trips and explore the Medway further looking for the source. And as the Autumn creeps up on us and Winter sneaks around the corner we have to say that this October and the last few weeks of the Summer exploring the river has been a pleasant experience. we hope that our readers will also enjoy our thoughts on a what became a sudden project.

Tonbridge - a mixed experience

2009-10-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

We went to Tonbridge and expected to find it difficult to park and like many towns not that easy to see the sights. But we were wrong. Our taster trip to Tonbridge was a pleasant voyage of discovery. I suppose that straddling the Medway and being North West Kent steeped in history that relates Tunbridge Wells and London the place was likely to be busy and alive. We parked, paid and displayed and strolled into town looking for historical content and realised that we were adding to our river strolls. In fact water seemed to be the dominating feature. Tonbridge is a town of bridges where the Medway is joined by other rivers and the local country park features water and wildlife.

The stroll first along the river to Town Lock revealed new building grandly named with Wharf at the end to designate a river location that were in fact high rise apartments. The style was pleasant and for those who like that sort of thing I suspect quite comfortable with electronic locks and resident only car parks reminiscent of castles - the Motte the underneath car park and the bailey the forecourts and road with the river as a moat created the Englishman's ideal. to me they were high rise cells designed to isolate the incumbents from the outside world. The genteel houses across the river seemed much more in tune with the river.

And talking of castles we walked up to the gatehouse and then on to the motte where once was a castle with its wonderful command of the town and surrounding countryside that also utilised the river. We spent a little time walking the town and wandered past the castle chatting briefly with a friendly squirrel along the eden vale walk to the Haysden Country Park and on to walk beside the waters of Barden Lake.

We took a quick diversion along the way to another stretch of water and there we saw geese on the opposite shore and a Heron fishing. We were fascinated by its stately gait and the concentration of the creature as it searched for its poor unsuspecting victim. At least it was searching for food which I think I may say for the fishermen along the lake edge did not seem to be their main aim. I think they call it sport. I plump for the Heron.

We walked out of the main entrance and back into town stopping at Jenny's Cafe for a tasty sandwich or two and a cup of hot coffee. the owner told us a little of Tonbridge so we whave decided to visit the place again. We need to do the intrepid explorer bit and find out what the place has to offer. With the hills above the town and the clouds coming down on the day the place was reminscent of Whangarei in the North Island of New Zealand. That town is a mixture of culture, marine activity, industry and colonial history. Tonbridge has a touch of all these - maybe not the colonial history - but history mixed with the modern demands of urban living rooted in the past.

Scotney Castle a watercolor surprise

2009-09-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

The ever popular Scotney Castle hadn't disappeared when I arrived. In fact it has a new entrance with toilets, cafe and shop. I decided that a visit to the house was a good idea and so with my ticket in hand I headed for the doorway. If there is one thing that makes National Trust properties stand out above the rest it is the work the volunteers put in to your visit and again I was pleased to have the attention of some knowledgeable people to discuss the history of the house and family. I admire their patience and their dedication and each time I visit a NT House I learn a little extra snippet.

The NT has had the 192hectare estate since 1970 left in his will by Christopher Hussey and the grounds were opened to the public. Betty, his wife lived on until 2006 when she died at the ripe old age of 99. The house was always a hive of activity and when the visitor pokes his or her nose into the place there is evidence enough in the atmosphere of the place alone which has a lived in feel to it. Thanks to the NT we have the place for our heritage.

The house itself is a Victorian building made from sandstone quarried from the grounds and the quarry is now an attractive garden and one of the features of Scotney. The house is interesting and it is good to know that NT are intending to gradually extend visitor access. Being a bookworm I was astonished when I saw the library containing some 3500 books many of which I would love to read. But that was not what took me by surprise. On the walls of the servant's passage hang watercolors painted by the lady of the house on the finest rag watercolor paper which are worth the visit alone. The bold use of color - not a heavy hand - and a positive composition that are depicted in the paintings not only make me want to go back and look at them again but makes my small efforts seem pathetic by comparison. They are an inspiration. Go and see them.

The emphasis as far as artists are concerned seems to be the castle itself and inside the house there are a number of watercolors painted of the place. It is a truly mysterious building and as we see it is also very photogenic.
Which from the picture of the castle above you can see why visitors like to come. In contrast a view across the trees gives the castle a menacing, deserted look.

However, on the cusp of Autumn it was a treat to visit the place on a warm late September Saturday. The castle has that fairy-tale look that could inspire all sorts of soppy stories from Prince and Princess tales to the setting for a Mills and Boon or even a story of Medieval Chivalry. Maybe the Medieval Chivalry is the right choice but I will leave that up to your imagination as mine tends to wander into the realms of Elves and Hobbits, seeing Dragons and Maidens.

I think the attraction is watching the changes and trying to capture the castle in a seasonal mood. The end of summer when it certain that autumn is almost upon us is one of those peaceful times that is pleasant to comfortably walk in and offers up some wonderful opportunities for photographs.

From the glimpse (an earlier picture) of the castle ruins to the wonderful early autumn color of the creepers on the walls to the crisp sunlight reflecting the castle in the water we see Scotney at its best. Truly the spring and full autumn are the favorite times but this day I can see, as an artist, that the castle itself can spring upon me a watercolor surprise.

Note that there is a hornet's nest in the giant redwood tree so please don't annoy them. Now that was another surprise.

Walking beside the Medway

2009-09-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

What is surprising about walking beside the Medway above Maidstone is that although you pass through country which is basically similar the on foot variety of the river traffic, views of same on the water create for you a small temporary community. Apart from a few hoons who want to race up the river drinking beer and generally being stupid people are friendly and laid back. The laid back people realise that to navigate the Medway there are locks to negotiate, boats to give way to and fishermen to respect. They also learn that the only way to enjoy the river is to take your time and simply go 'messing about in boats'. There are no slip roads to use to avoid jams, no diversions to avoid roadworks and certain hold ups when you negotiate the locks so it makes sense to let time stroll along and go at the pace of the river.

Wateringbury is a great place to start from providing you can find parking for the car. The picture above is of the bridge at Wateringbury but pay the place a visit and take some time to walk around - as we wrote in an earlier blog - there are some pretty places in Wateringbury.

At walking pace the river is interesting and as we draw near to the end of summer and into autumn the changes are seen in the farmlands alongside, the trees overhanging the river and this time of the year that wonderful suspended animation of summer that suggest the autumn's arrival. It can be found in the ripening fruit on the trees, the blackberries as they die down and give up their last fruits, the suggestion that chestnuts are bulging ready for the fall and wild life feeding on the last abundance of the summer. The river looks full but does not yet have that angry appearance of heavy rains washing down debris.

I took the two pictures of the river and the gubbins on the side (river bank) to catch that end of summer color when trees are past their peak of freshness and it is obvious that the leaves will soon be turning. The dog roses are finished and the rose hips are reading for the birds to eat, or if you like them for you to tuck in as well but don't eat the seeds as they itch.

During the last few weeks we have tested the waters by walking from Teston to Barming and a trip to East Peckham and this week we walked from Wateringbury to Yalding. On the way we chatted with two venerable water wanderers and enjoyed a lunch at the Hampstead Lock watching boat owners negotiating the lock. They worked together opening and shutting the lock to allow each other to take a turn at passing through.

Boats and birds more or less mix.

The ducks and swans did their own thing, which was nice.

Westbere lakes - Canterbury

2009-09-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

It was a dull day and rain had fallen on the island most of the morning but I was restless and needed a walk. I owe this one to Lorna Jenner and her book Waterside Walks In Kent and her easy to follow instructions. So it was a stop for a cup of coffee at The Olde Yew Tree pub in Westbere - too late for lunch and not in need of a pint so the coffee and the friendliness went down well. I have been there before and as far as I can recollect the food was worth a bite or two. The intention was to walk to Fordwich and back past the lakes and the river with a short diversion to Fordwich itself.

The walk starts from the pub car park turning right and taking the road down to the railway past some new houses; very attractive places too and down to the railway line. Cross the line avoiding the choo-choos and follow the pathway. Unless you are a prize plonker there is no chance of getting lost and as you follow the Great Stour river you will see the spire of Fordwich church inn the distance.

The river is lined with willows and the banks are covered in plant life including polished bullrushes. Darting in and out of the bushes that hang close to the water are moorhens who call warnings to each other as you approach.

The water is clear and in the occasional sunshine mirroed the trees on the banks. Even on this dull cloudy day the river was impressive and I wished I hade explored it before the August and September rain set in.

Follow the path until you reach the road and the bridge. You dodge the cars across the second bridge into Fordwich and come upon the George and Dragon pub which I recommend as a place to call in. It has a large car park and will do meals and beer so maybe a stop there first and call in for lunch. Take a walk up the river from Fordwich toward Canterbury perhaps and then after lunch take a stroll in the reverse direction to my walk. If the Yew Tree is open have a drink and wander back past the lakes.

The town hall at Fordwich is open to visitors between 10 and 4 each day. It is close by the river and Fordwich's marina and the pub opposite - too up-market for me.

Anyway, I had a look around Fordwich and of course realised that it was a town with a town hall and some narrow roads lined by old buildings. It was once a major town and so I heard was also connected with smuggling. Naughty people.

From the town hall look up river to the small bridge - the one you have to dodge the cars to cross and enjoy a tranquil sight. It would be pleasant to travel the Stour by small boat. Maybe I could persuade two friends and borrow a dog?

From Fordwich walk along the main road - you turn right from the path at the bridge and opposite the Fordwich Garage there is a pathway which leads across sports fields - you use the stile beside the miniture railway and cross to where there is a crossing of the proper railway. You follow the path until you get to Westbere; the footpath is obvious, into Westbere and back to the pub. There are some delightful homes in the village including Ashby Cottage pictured and the church of All Saints with its wildlife friendly cemetary.

As an afternoon stroll it was excellent and left me with a desire to investigate the Stour more and in contrast to walking the hills of the Pilgrims Way it was a pleasant change. I enjoy walking the hills.

East Peckham Wandering - A river walk

2009-08-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

August Bank Holidayand a so-called weekend of Beatles records. In fact it was a Beatles weekend with the 'Fab Four' ad infinitum. Now, I like the Beatles having parodied the words of their songs in pubs with my mates the first time around. By the time I had heard most of the versions of the hit records - and missed out on the fabulous Mrs Mills - I was reaching for the insecticide.

The idea was to try and find tranquility by the river. I had never been to East Peckham. The church is Victorian I am sure - there is a hive of wild bees in a crack above the clock.

Mid day and I had to get on my metaphorical bike and head for the river. We have walked the riverside a couple of times and this month seems to be the time of the year for having a pleasant stroll along the Medway and other waterside areas. Of course walking on the water is difficult so we usually stay on the river bank. East Peckham has the river running beside it rather than through complete with a lock and weir plus mill streams that once powered mills (sic) either for grinding grains or for other purposes. The mill streams are host to wild life and reeds and the banks are topped at this time of the year with delicious, sun warmed blackberries.

At this time of the year the sun can be quite fierce and with the river as tranquil as it was this day the sky and bankside trees were reflected so cleanly that I could not resist taking a picture.

East Peckham is a township - in my terms anyway - close to the A26 and the river Medway that has some little gems of buildings but is generally a modern place although its history appears to stretch back much earlier. The oldest buildings are the pubs and the farms and many that I saw were 18th century at the earliest. The rest were later but mostly appeared to be post Victorian with very few really old buildings. Maybe I didn't look hard enough.

However, forgetting the Beatles ( I am a fan but not an Anorak) I followed the towpath to the lock where I crossed the Medway again to walk back into the township. The Medway locks are works of art and harmonise with the river which reminds me that despite my disdain of the never ending Beatles fest I was always appreciative of the group's harmony and admit to humming Something as I walked. Damn the insects.

Industry gets in the way and access to a main road seems to spoil the village atmosphere and turn the place into a township but the river is the attraction. It was the river I headed for. I parked the model T in a quiet street and set off across the fields to Little Mill crossing the small mill stream and on to the Medway. I was glad because at the time somebody was murdering Hey Jude reminding me of the Karaoke version of The Rose in a pub in downtown Auckland.

From two locals I learned that the original East Peckham church ( St. Michaels) was the one I could see on the hill from my riverside view point. So, with the model T aimed for home and the Beatles burbling away I headed up Seven Mile Lane and found the place. The view over the valley and down to East peckham was magnificent. The church is no longer used but is looked after and is open between 10 and 4 during the day to visitors.

Just along the way there is Mereworth where I believe they grow strawberries and on that note I will remind you of Strawberry Fields Forever which is more or less where I came in, not quite but it was back to the Beatles on the way home.

Wrotham - a quick shufti

2009-08-24T13:24:00.001-07:00

The motorist passes by Wrotham and either drops down the hill to Maidstone or turns off to Borough Green or Gravesend. I decided to stop and see what was there. Plenty of pubs, a church and a school building converted to another use. I walked around the place hoping perhaps to stop in the Rose and Crown which a partially blind man assured me was the best of the inns. I am not so sure because by the time I got there the damn place was closed.

Still, the church was interesting and what he told ma about some cottages on the old London road turned out to be right. There is also an interesting gravestone in the cemetery - I found that for myself.

He was also right about the interesting buildings down St Mary's Road. I think the main attraction for the drinker and the visitor is The Bull.

The door to the old school building is interesting.

Anyway, stop by and explore or try the pub.

Lullingstone Country Park and Roman Villa

2009-08-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Lullingstone Country Park is one of a number of such parks dotted around Kent - I daresay there are many all over Britain - and from the visitor's centre there are tracks that suit most tastes and ability. I elected to take a walk around the black trail that led past Lullingstone House (they call it a castle) alongside the Darent river and to the Roman Villa. My intention was to visit the Villa although when I passed Lullingstone House I was impressed by the gatehouseand the buildings in general. The walk takes you past the house and to the Villa or you can continue to Eynsford. I met up with two ladies who had seen me walking around in the village and we passed a pleasant few moments. On these days I am always amazed at how friendly people are and from the centre I walked with a man who was taking his daughter's dog for a walk who told me of the park and its attractions. Interesting.

The Villa is close to the river which the Romans used to transport their goods to London and as a way of reaching Watling street other than the road. Evidently the place was a flourishing farm of 150 to 275 Hectares and had a granary that was as nearly as big as the Villa.

A nice touch was children playing Pooh sticks on the bridge across the river. I liked that.

From there you can see the railway viaduct that is still in use and seems appropriate in the circumstances as it evokes images of Roman aqueducts - with the reference to the phrase ' as quick as a rat up an aqueduct' springing immediately to mind.

Inside the Villa I took some photos but it is better to see the place yourself to get the best out of the visit. I offer a picture of a rather thin man who was found on the site. The Villa had its own burying ground I suppose and it was said that the body which was buried with a woman may be of the household. It was important enough to have a lead coffin.

The country park encompasses woods and a golf course with an eighteen hole and a nine hole course which is also part of the public access. This can be disturbing at first but as long as you respect the golfers and the course greens there is no problem.

As it was a hot day I decided that I needed to cut the long walk short and did so but will at some time take another trip up and walk some of the other pathways. The steamy summer day was typical of the Augusts I remember as a child and I revelled in the myriad butterflies, native wild flowers and the prolific blackberries which furnished me with one of my flipping five a flipping day the government keep rabbiting on about.

It was a day when people were out strolling rather than hiking and as could be seen the harvets is well under way - again a very Roman thing - the wealth of the Villa was in the land. The woods arond the golf course, or the golf course that is inserted into the woods are all part of the park and for walkers and golfers alike there is plenty to see.

Lullingstone Country Park is a multi-use park with the civilised battles on the golf course, bridleways and wild areas for the visitor and is one of the best I have visited. Go there and walk on the wild side.

Eynesford - and the Darent River

2009-08-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to visit Eynsford ever sinec I came back from NZ and visit the ancient sites. Lullingstone castle (the ruined one in the town) and this day in August I did. I also walked around with my camera in the villageand found some little gems. The castle is terrific and just the sort of real estate that I can relate to. Starting basically as a moted fort it then became a moted castle that was really a Manor House with heavy walls. It has a cellar and a fire place in the main hall that is built from Roman tiles. I like that, re-cycling in medieval times is a good idea.

The place is not so elegant as the Roman Villa further down the way but I should imagine its function was much different. We know that rebels in Life of Brian had trouble finding something the Romans could be hated for other than conquering them and it seems it was 'peace'. The castle was built in troubled times whereas the Roman Villa was a farm house. I dare say the Manor House was also.

The River Darent passes through Eynsford with a genuine ford that is used - I saw a tractor and a truck use it. The shallow summer flow is also a great place for children to play and keep cool. Interestingly there is a house next to the bridge which is built on piles to allow water to flow underneath.

The gems are the flowers in the front of the pubs, the attractive garden behind the sweet shop and the shattered willow on the river close to the castle. The back garden is a real find and worth a visit. You have to find the willow by walking around the castle and being nosy.

Eynsford is a place to visit in all seasons and I suggest parking at the castle and looking at that, take a good walk around the village and look for Institution House and the Village hall. Walk down to the Roman Villa. The Castle Inn is the place to stop for lunch and a drink but there are plenty of pubs to visit for an ale and a meal. Some with car parks.

Be aware that the place is popular and therefore it will be crowded at the weekends so I suggest a Monday or Tuesday if you do not want to visit Lullingstone gardens and house.

A pub with a sense of the dramatic is the Mason's Shovel - car park and meals but be wary, they clamp. Otherwise go down to Riverside and try the two establishments there. But it was a pleasant encounter with the Darent and its ancient ways. I felt the Roman influence and could imagine the villas spread around the area.

I am sure that given the right information and a lot of research I could think Roman - couldn't you?

Country Park at Teston - a short stroll

2009-08-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

Walking by the river Medway can be either a disappointing excercise or a most pleasant experience. The country park at Teston is a place where a pleasant experience can be found. In fact it is compulsory. When I was a lad the Medway was the sort of river your grandparents warned you about but I found it a river that although dangerous as rivers can be, was a tranquil river in good weather and exciting in bad. On this day we saw it in its tranquil, sun drenched mood with boats moving gracefully on the water, people fishing and families picnicking on the grass.

I was interested in the Teston lock and the weir hoping to see it working but instead it appears that there is nobody in attendance and I suppose if you want to use the river you have to limit your trip to either above or below the lock. As it is for the footslogger it is a pleasant sight especially watching the ducks fighting the fast flow on the weir. It was fun watching one of the birds battling against the rapid flow and no amount of instructions advising it to go with the flow and fly up made any difference. It seems that ducks, like cats do not understand English (you tell a cat to stop murdering that rabbit and it ignores you) It was a sort of duck surfing that they all seemed to be on the verge of doing yet wary of actually doing it.

We met up with people enjoying the day in their own way - less frantically than the ducks and as tranquilly as the swans who cruised like small sailing boats and occasionally diving headfirst into the water to feed.

Others, as I said took a different view. The lady with the glass of wine and her husband declared that the time was wine or beer o'clock and raised the yard arm high enough for the sun to squeeze underneath it. I fully approve.

Some went fishing and we saw the inevitable man and wife with children fishing; which means that man fishes; wife tends to the children; wife and children get bored. The two families we saw did not look happy. The young man with the smile was extremely happy and seemed as if he was indulging in the sport with the right attitude - you are not there to feed the family but to have fun murdering fish if you catch them or otherwise just sitting by the river contemplating your naval. What's wrong with that?

In effect the idea of a river walk is to see river things and to enjoy the water. We saw fish; we saw ducks and swans and boats and enjoyed speaking with people.

But as an outing or a day out walking beside the river is a pleasant exercise and one which we must do again. So watch this space for another in depth water visit.

The stone bridge at Teston which is not monitored by traffic lights yet seems to manage the traffic quite well enough thankyou.

It was pleasant to re-visit the river and understand that although the river is dangerous when roused it can also be a most relaxing and pleasant place to wander. For two middle aged intrepid walkers it was, in the words of the weirdo in Life of Brian - a doddle.

Ightam Mote - A Modest Gem

2009-08-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

The thing is with Ightam Mote is that it takes you by surprise. The gardens are not the thing you go to see but when you get there the garden is worth a look. This day we had a friend with us on her first visit who wanted to see the house so we concentrated on that more than on the garden.

The house is most interesting and fascinating as it is set in a moat, obviously the earlier builders having decided that a water protection was a good idea and utilised the stream. Later the ponds were developed into fish holding ponds. The main pond was later filled in and looks now like a croquet green.

The National Trust houses rarely change but instead develop as more is discovered about them and more is opened up to the visitor. Naturally this access is also depenedent on the expensive maintenance needed to keep the places viable and protected. Ightam Mote is an old building developed over the centuries from as long ago as 1340 (approximately) starting with the basic baronial hall and developing from there.

Have a look at the roof and look for the spiral brickwork (not shown here) and this row of immaculate, precisly uniform chimneys.

The garden was developed to act as the provider of vegetables and fish with grazing animals and horses for transport and work with stables, converted to cottages and a walled garden. The feature of Ightam Mote is the fish ponds that fed the moat and passed down through into the reed beds and lake - for cleaning the water - and on out of the burn to the Medway. This part of the garden which once included a nuttery is steadily being restored. You take a guided tour which is a most interesting experience. we did not have time to do this but will perhaps do it when we go again.

The garden tour will take you around the grounds with a knowledgeable guide who will tell you much about the place in such an entertaining fashion that we witnessed spontaneaous applause by one group. The gentleman concerned took a polite, and very English bow. On the left is the wall and the entrance to the walled vegetable and flower garden from the lawns in front of the stables.

However, the house is worth the walk through as one of the most interesting places in Kent. from the hall to the chapel - more a crypt - to the Victorian additions and modifications - the chapel cieling decorated in the expectation that Henry VIII was about to visit and Mr Robinson's rooms are worth the visit alone. Although ostentatious in some of its decor, the Chinese wallpaper and the magnificent fireplace in the drawing room are offset by the lived in appearance of the rest of the house giving the place a modest, functional aspect that the visitor can identify with quite easily. The surprise is not so much the sheer age of the place but that it was a home right up 1985. Walk into Mr Robinson's room and the visitor is taken into an almost modern decor.