Riverside Country Park

Riverside Country Park to the Strand 23rd April 2008

The weather man had forecast rain and as our group for the day was just down to four intrepid souls a short flat walk was chosen along the River Medway
After meeting in the car park of the country park we set out in the rain to follow the banks of the river to " The Strand" , passing a few industrial units and a boatyard on the way. The rain made the views rather dismal but with no wind it was not cold and the company made the walk enjoyable . After what was a short walk of around 4 miles we ended up in the cafe at the country park for a very enjoyable sausage sandwich and a hot cup of tea.

River Medway at Start of Walk

There is someone living on the left hand boat

This boat looks rather sad

Old Industrial Unit

Moored Nr Boatyard

Old Barge As a Bank Defence

Nr The Strand Looking East

King Johns Wood Nr Challock

St Johns Wood Nr Challock 16th April 2008

Five of met up at the public car park to St Johns wood on a lovely sunny morning . Due to various reasons this walk was chosen for its short distance and the fact that most of it was promised to be level going.
We set of in the first direction we felt like with no real plan other than enjoying the day and each others company. The woods are well used by the public and most of the tracks are well set out . The bluebells were just beginning to show and promise to be a glorious show in I guess a couple of weeks time.
We came across a couple of interesting sculptures and a well built log cabin especially for the children or those young at heart.
The walk ambled at a pleasant pace just taking different tracks as the mood took us and gave us a chance to enjoy the Kent countryside albeit a short walk .

Typical woodland veiw

Is this a bomb crater

Log cabin

Sculputre In The Woods

Ants Nest

Close Up Of Ants Nest

Aylesford-Cuxton-Snodland

Aylesford-Cuxton-Snodland 9th April
Five of us met up again at Aylesford car park on a lovely sunny morning and then walked to the railway station where we caught the train to Cuxton.
At Cuxton we walked north along the main road until we could join the North Downs way public footpath roughly opposite the Medway Bridge. We followed the North Downs Way through Mill Hill Wood . Great views all along this route the only down side was the muddy tracks .
We then passed Upper Bush ( what a smashing place to live) and stopped for a coffee break.
While having coffee we were entertained by two Buzzards riding the thermals above our heads.
We then carried on up a very steep Holly Hill
Again the tracks through the woods we deeply rutted and very muddy making the going very hard work. but it was a nice surprise seeing a the bluebells beginning to show themselves
From the top of the North Downs Way we eventually walked down a narrow track to Snodland and onto the train back to Aylesford
Sub Editors Note: No idea why the script has come out underlined

Old boat at Cuxton :start of walk

Medway Bridge In Background

Bluebells starting to show

Typical woodland track

Why has this tree gone like this

Typical View

House in Snodland

Aylesford Bridge : Note high tide

Aylesford to Maidstone

Aylesford To Maidstone 2nd April 2008

Five us us this week met at Aylesford car park on a overcast drizzle sort of day and set off along the side of the River Medway towards Maidstone. We have done this walk before but decided to deviate by cutting along very muddy footpaths inland but still following the footpath. This took us through a boatyard , over the railway line and pass odds and ends of industrial works. We kept to this route until we came to the Locks at the Malta Inn where we crossed over the river to join our familiar riverside walk on the North side of the river. This path was easier to navigate , ie less mud and simply followed it pass Allington Castle ( on the far bank) to Maidstone. On the way stopping to watch a pleasure cruiser being lifted into the water. Upon reaching Maidstone we stopped for a flask of coffee and well earned snacks. Suitably refreshed we simply retraced our steps back to Aylesford although when we got to the Malta Inn we kept to the North bank. This proved a bit of mistake as it was very muddy and did not provide pleasant walking

Aylesford Bridge

Allington Locks

Allington Locks

Law Courts Maidstone