Scotney Castle a watercolor surprise

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

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

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.