Surprised by Wateringbury

Wateringbury straddles the A26 from Maidstone not far from East Malling and Yalding on the river Medway. Most people are passing through Wateringbury unless they have business in the village of happen to live there. There is a pub on the A26 as you approach the crossroads that is a venue for functions and has a good restaurant if yuo like Chef and Brewer style pubs. The drop of Spitfire I had there was excellent but other than that I would plump for a try at the Railway Inn near the station. We parked in the free car park and took a stroll around the village on what was the last Saturday of 2008. It was cold, frosty even and yet sunny. We chose the place at random because we felt like a walk in the sun despite the cold.

Which, the cold I mean, beggars the thought of being incarcerated in the town lock-up shown on the left. We looked inside and saw how mall it was and reckoned that in the winter one would be

suffering like the proverbial brass monkeys. Nevertheless although it may no longer be used for its original purpose and was filled with fence spiles it seemed to be a most solid and sensible building.

Our walk took us down the road leading to Nettleford and the river and bent away from there onto a pthway that led across open fields above the village to a set of tastefully converted oast houses. From there we walked down to where we could view the church and was pleasantly surprised by a cluster of houses beside a mill pond complete with ducks and a mill house.

The surprise was that we had not expected to see such a tranquil scene and view some beautifully designed gardens that utilised the old mill race. The walk then took us past the old mill and up to the A26 and along to the church.

The surpise of the day was spotting primroses in flower between the graves and some actually in full bloom, if somewhat small, and we assumed that the recent mild weather had fooled them into venturing out. The fools! do they not know that winter cold is coming?

However, below is a picture of the brave little souls.

Altogether Wateringbury was a pleasnt surprise on a cold day

Boxley - a pleasant place in winter

The prime objective of the day was to place a Christmas tribute on our parent's grave and so, with some thought to the weather, we dressed accordingly and drove down to Boxley church. The day turned out to be a bonus for the time of the year; sunny with a little cloud, warm for the time of year and above all fairly dry. We laid the basket of cuttings with the Christmas decorations, cleaned the stone and took pleasure in making that honor for our parents. I am sure that in both our minds were the Christmasses past when we were children and Mum and Dad would make the effort to make it special for us with decorations, a tree, gifts under and the Christmas stocking filled with small goodies. We did our little bit - not a duty but a pleasure of memories and family love - soppy but true and decided to visit the Kings Arms pub and have a drink and lunch.

Of recent months the place has been a dead area, unwelcoming, indifferent and not the sort of place to visit but this day, 20th December, was different. We were welcomed and there was a lively trade with people sitting happily chatting and a modest but well organized menu. We chose sandwiches and they were well presented, quickly served and tasty. We felt like valued customers and not an imposition on the staff. Right: plug over, I can recommend popping in for some tucker.

However, we decided to take a walk along the path from the church and head on up the hill to a lower path leading to the area of woodland known as The Larches. Instead we employed our usual sat-nav and strolled on past the path and ended up on the North Downs Way. Oh well. We discussed the possibility of whether or not the rumors of large pussycats loose in the woods were true and hoped that the wild boars had not migrated that far up the hills. We decided that the pussycats (Leopards) might be scared of two fat English people and we continued our somewhat muddy walk. The climb up the hill was hard for two middle-aged and overdressed people but worth it for the views across the valley, and for the views across the top of the downs. Bleak this time of the year but we were mollified by the presence of seagulls and other birds feeding on the fields. On the way up we noted a cut tree stump that was interestingly deteriorating and that, along with the horses in the paddock was a highlight of the day. Sad, but then we like sad.

We walked along the top of the downs to meet up with the bridle-way that ends by the quarry works at Detling and the start of the Larches walks. We elected to walk the Pilgrims way and were rewarded by the views and the pleasantly undulating nature of the road. In winter the North Downs are attractive in a bleak way as the bare decidious trees make way for the dark green Yews. But even so there is much to be seen as you walk the paths as plants you might not notice, ivy, holly and such show themselves off.

The path ( on the right) was steep and although this is winter there is still much greenery. Given more daylight we might have walked a long way but this three and half mile afternoon stroll was enough and gave us the incentive to explore further the next year.

But I do suggest you enjoy the hospitality of the Kings Arms.

A short stroll around Bredgar

Bredgar, split in twain by the M2, staving off the intrusion of Sittingbourne from the north and the east, resting in a small valley high above the Swale is a thriving community aware of its history and passed through on the way to Hollingbourne. Yet here is a tranquil haven for those who love to be involved in village life.

Apart from the intrusion of the M2 Motorway, which can barely be heard from the village hall or within the environs of the village itself, Bredgar is one of those forgotten villages on the edge of Sittingbourne that deserves more than a passing glance as you drive through. Stop at the Sun for a drink and a meal and take a walk around and view the pretty church and the 14th century Chantry building and cottage opposite. Unique in this group of villages in the area it has a pond and its share of modern and ancient buildings ranging from the church and the Chantry, through 16th C to the present day. Bredgar can also boast a functioning, and well respected primary school whose staff and pupils have created an environmentally friendly garden which is. as you can imagine in this day and age will go a long way to make young people aware of the larger questions besides economic ones that we face today.

The village is more or less centered around the pond with the church dominating its skyline

But the buildings are not all that Bredgar has to offer. A walk from the tea shop by the pond took us, my sister and myself, along a public footopath past some of the oldest buildings to Silver street and then on up to Blind Mary's lane where we turned toward Deans Hill to enjoy a cold winter's walk on roads and contemplated a hike later on when shod with good shoes on a semi circular route leading out past Deans Hill down over the motorway and back.

We spent the morning at the Christmas Fayre; my sister being domiciled in Bredgar desired to support local fund raising so, on the promise of a stroll around the village I went with her. The surprise, apart from the running commentary from her on who lives where of her friends in the village, the walk revealed some pleasing sights. These included a somewhat hazy view over the landscape; hazy because the afternoon sun was watery in the lowering dew. We could see across the estuaries to Sheppey and as far as Southend with a magnificent view of Bredgar nestling in the slight valley below Deans hill.

The house on the way out of Bredgar is older than it looks.

The view from Deans hill on a winter's day hides the imperfections of industry and the M2.

Nevertheless it was a pleasant walk and I am certain that in spring next year we will take the opportunity to explore the area and take a more thorough look at the countryside.