Chatham Dockyard

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once I and many thousands of other men and women worked for wages, saw a navy that steadily was eroded and finally outdated is quite odd.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



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

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

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

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

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

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.