Rambling in Kent by Twisden

HARRIETSHAM -HOLLINGBOURNE NDW

2012-01-25T13:22:00.009Z


Sorry about the mud,Mea Culpa.

Cropredy Bridge Battle history

I'm sorry Dave I can't allow you to do that.

We sat in the porch at Hollingbourne church and ate our sandwiches.


We met a comical horse whose rider was wearing a Police approved tabard.The horse raised its right front hoof,to indicate it wanted a peppermint,it was duly rewarded.Unlike our photographers who missed a good picture.

A grey, misty ,drizzly day and seven of us congregated at Harrietsham Church and set off up to the NDWay all the way to Hollingbourne
(all of 2.5 miles)where we took lunch at the church.
Then we dropped down to the lower footpath,and walked the 2.5 miles back.So,with the ups and downs about 6.5 miles.
slippery and muddy.

Next week Benenden.

Charing to Harrietsham North Downs Way.

2012-01-18T16:41:00.001Z

We do this walk when the WX is bad,and today qualified.
It was grey ,the clouds were down to 200' and there was drizzle.
Not too cold though,and not too slippery underfoot.
Train from H to C then collect one of our men from the tea shop and off along the trail.
7 miles 5 of us mild/misty.

Cat waiting for Fire Brigade

you can see how damp it is .

Obscured Equines.

Charing Church

WOODLAND TRUST HUCKING

2012-01-11T16:04:00.001Z

A spiffing day,blue skies ,no clouds, a fresh wind at times.

You can just see Stockbury church and across the Thames to Essex

It's that photographer again

Add caption

Over there is the posh village of Bearsted

Just down on the left the Ancient Trackway passes.

They have actually stopped to look at the view

That's a 10 pump fire with lots of chickens being roasted in Frittenden

Roast Beef,Yorkshire puddings,Peas Carrots,Brocolli,Roast potatoes,Boiled Potatoes,German beer.

This gives an impression of the lovely day.

I expect there is a little moaning going on here.

The photographer has not learned the art of leaving his shadow out yet.

We walked around the outside of the Trust land for a change ,doing about 6 miles.6 of us RV'd at the car park and we set of to Colyers wents and then anti-clockwise to the North Downs Way.Kestrels,Buzzards,woodpeckers.Here are a few pix

Linton .Loose.Boughton Monchelsea

2012-01-04T18:45:00.005Z

An alpha male who has tumbled us
.Top right of the pic,is that scrub or old antlers??

Following force 11 gales ,it calmed down a bit and the sky was clear,so we met at Linton Church car park where fresh jam doughnuts were distributed.West along the ridge and then crossing the Coxheath road along footpaths to Loose village (Looz=PigSty in ancient English)we looked at the Yew tree in the church which David Bellamy dates as 4,000 years old.We stopped for coffee by the stream at the foot of the hill,then under the Thomas Telford viaduct and through "little Switzerland"and then up through the strawberry tunnels to Boughton Mon,where we stopped in the churchyard to look at the Deer.Back along the ridge to the car park 6 or 7 miles,6 of us .I then visited Tovil Tip
which has a cleansing affect on my psyche.

Cox's apple trees,and the fruit was still excellent in January

This raised bed method of strawberry growing means the Polish girls don't have to bend over in the fields any more *sigh*

This is what we have to look forward to.

Oldest lving thing in Kent? East Sutton

2011-12-21T14:44:00.001Z

This Yew Tree is at least 2,000 years old and possibly 2,400.

The Yew has a companion ,almost as old

The faint blur is thousands of Prunus Penny trees

Sutton Valence Castle a well-kept secret


Vernacular Architecture with roses

A rainy ,misty day with a trunk road hiatus,and muddy underfoot which induces fatigue.Mostly along the paths to Allsaints Church
where the ancient Yew lives and has done since 400BC.
Back along the lower slope in the clay mud to the village.
Mild,wet,muddy 5 miles 4 chaps

Charing Eastwell and back (of course)

2011-12-14T14:57:00.002Z

Pett Farm

Ted's yachting weathervane

Old School house Westwell

People drive up here for fun


Glider being towed up by winch We were going to go to Folkestone ,but,being unsure of the WX decided ,an inland dry walk.So we met at Charing and did the Charing Eastwell Gliding club triange.About 6 miles a little cold and windy at times for 5 of us.

Ditton_East Malling-Barming

2011-12-07T15:26:00.000Z

Where have we heard that before?
A celebratory breakfast at Bramleys restaurant EM Research
station and then off around the path to Ditton Lab,Barming water tower,and Rocks Farm.

As someone with 21 years in Horticulture I can say this means er....


that's a pile of Horse S*** that has spontaneously combusted.A bit like the E.U?


there's Caleb the dog in a state of flux

the North Downs

6 of us 4 miles sunny ,windy.

Three Men and a Dog around Bredgar.(and MotePark)

2011-11-30T17:57:00.001Z

This is the River Len flowing towards Turkey Mill

I was infectious so I took some pix on my morning walk through the park.

Owing to URTIs there were only three and a dog,so a local walk was organised.A nice sunny day,mild and dry.
Who could guess that the Euro was on the point of collapse,and there would be a foot of snow in a couple of weeks?

Eggringe Wood Chilham

2011-11-23T16:20:00.002Z

A long walk back to Chilham Church.

The Great Stour (from Lenham)


One of our photographers who is shy and retiring,so let us celebrate his talent here for once


Juliberries Grave a Megalithic Long Barrow


A fortified enclosure millenia old which comprises of a bank and ditch and would have had a stockade surrounding it.

here is the ditch and bank

Meeting at the the village car park,through Chilham Village and across the Great Stour at the mill,then Juliberries Grave up to Mystole,and into the woods,Pennypot lane and back.

Chilham castle from the White Horse Pub

Fire Insurance plate


There's the usual disrespectful discussion taking place.

Letsby Avenue

A sunny clear coldish day.
4 hours 9.5 miles 7 of us , (1 very tired)

Mote Park Saturday early morning

2011-11-19T10:41:00.000Z


I was half expecting the Fighting Temerare to emerge from the mist

A rare visitor to the park,a South American Alligator

Just my regular walk into maidstone,I will leave this up until the next hike.

Warden Bay Fossil Hunt

2011-11-16T14:42:00.002Z


Burnsie can you check your geocache comments section and get back to me via your or mine commments please many thanks.

The sticky slippery clay (Gault?) that was crumbling on to the beach.

The remains of the parabolic concrete sound mirror.

I will have to go off and find out what this crystalline rock is,it looks like a Dinosour egg

there was a bird identity "discussion "going on at this point

Mote Park yesterday early mist.

RV @ Leysdown a day that was cold (3C)dull and misty ,then the sun came out and all was well.Fossil hunting was the object of the walk,later,I will post some pix of things that might be fossils.
The pre WW2 sound mirror is now breaking up as the cliff erodes.
No sharks teeth were found,it looked like the tide was coming in so we scarpered

The KINGS WOOD CHALLOCK

2011-11-09T14:39:00.011Z

A typical Fir plantation black as night.

If you come to a fork in the road,take it (think about it)

Fly Agaric,as opposed to Flybe.

This is the only place where we are certain of our location

At this point we carried out stick hiding,ladybird catching,and sitting on a wet rock.

A yew plantation

This tree goes walkabout at night.

The Elephant tree African or Indian?

Unusually,we are all together ,no one lagging behind

We walked through a Beech area with majestic trees.

I can see an elephant,but then I'm not all there.

The Usual Suspects.

The Loch Ness Monster in wood (natural)

Meeting at the southern most car park in White Hill lane we looked first,at the Boughton Long Barrow,a hump of earth (stone age)
and then through various paths in the woods ,through a Yew wood and a Beech Wood,roaming free.The WX was damp and misty
and then on the way back the sun came out .We did about 7 or 8 miles in 3 hours and there were 7 of us.I might put an equal strain on all parts now.

Hucking Woodland Trust

2011-11-02T15:33:00.005Z

I can remember crossing from right to left here in the summer,then across the field opposite,only to lose the path.Terry as usual went ahead and found it.

Ancient treasure is waiting to be found across the UK, much of it even older than many of our cathedrals and castles. The UK has the largest concentration of ancient trees in Northern Europe. A survey revealed that 80 per cent of people don’t know that the UK has the most ancient trees in Northern Europe. Ancient trees can live to be up to 5000 years old and are vital to the UK landscape, history and wildlife.

This was taken by John,whose camera seems to give an "impressionist"effect

A colleague claims this church is haunted,but I can find no mention of it. However it has no Roman bits in it(as flints were abundant)


On the right The Old Forge,this was mentioned to me as being abandoned for years.Its now in good repair with a lovely garden.

Unable to work out why gate was padlocked.The 5 bar gate was smashed.The gate was padlocked last time we came this way.

A one eyed caravan in the woods

Any hope of Bramleys was slim,however there were windfalls at the base of these trees,which make excellent apple crumble(allegedly)


These are M27 dwarfing rootstock,quite old by the thickness of the trunk

I thought of several (to me)humorous tags for this scene,ranging from OAP olympic leapfrog team to other less savoury ones.

I was trying to remind everyone that there was a big hill coming up,just to put a crimp in their day.

The sun came out after 15 minutes and the wind died down and it was a perfect autumn day.There were Mushrooms,Bramley apples and Chestnut post off cuts for my fire.
6 of us did 5 miles
I re post the link to BBC for those who need the podcast.
www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/country
go to Chilham to Wye podcast.

RECULVER

2011-10-26T15:09:00.001+01:00

Due to the weather and weather forecast just 4 from Sittingbourne threw
caution to the wind and went to Herne Bay where they parked up then walked
to Reculver . Very cloudy all round especially towards the Isle Of Sheppey
which was totally blocked from view for most of the time 
We walked along the shoreline until we got to Reculver Towers where we
stopped for a coffee and sandwich break After a sop for this break we slowly
walked aback the tops of the cliffs towards Herne Bay eventually dropping
back to the shore and eventually back along the shore .
Mainly sunny with loads of clouds all round The rain held off with only a
few seconds of drizzle when we got to the car
Probably about 5 miles and 2-3 hours

Broadstairs.

2011-10-19T17:12:00.000+01:00

One for the word-botchers?

we walked down to Broadstairs pier then along the beach and esplanade
under the cliffs to Ramsgate Really warm day a bit breezy but as the wind
was off the land we were sheltered and soon worked up sweat When reaching
the pier at Ramsgate we stopped to eat  bread pudding and some
lovely,  cheese scones
After this nice rest it was a slow sight seeing stroll around the harbour to
a small café where we had our tea break 
One again we forced ourselves up and after climbing loads of steps to the
top we walked towards Pevensy bay ( cant spell it) 
Just before we got there we realised that as we had stopped lots of times to
watch the boats etc we should turn round and retrace our steps 
Very pleasant walk slightly breezy at times

8 miles 4 chaps sunny 4.5 hours.

CAMER COUNTRY PARK -COBHAM WOODS

2011-10-12T19:07:00.000+01:00

RV @ the Car Park,I had a bacon sandwich and an excellent cup of tea from the kiosk whilst waiting.Lea was in the left hand seat,so it was a day off for me.Its autumn and the best time to be out in the woods ,a really nice walk that we must do again.
we did about 8 miles 6 of us ,overcast mild.

I'm probably being mocked at this stage

Acer Palmatum Perpureum

BBC iPLAYER RADIO 4 LINK

2011-10-08T13:04:00.001+01:00

Ramblings
Click the title and it will highlight in red and take you to our programme.

Charing to Harrietsham North Downs Way

2011-10-05T14:52:00.001+01:00

A train from Harrietsham to Charing ,up the hill and along.
breezy/overcast,then sunny warmish ,a nice walk

7 of us 6 miles .

BBC Broadcast info Radio 4

2011-09-30T21:25:00.001+01:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015mqp2

I will post further info when available, and suggest a link
to podcast info from the BBC website.

so it looks like OCT 8th 06:00 and OCT 13th 15:00
to be confirmed later.

SELLING .DENSTED WOODS

2011-09-28T18:28:00.000+01:00

Specially taken for the Leysdowners is Shellness beach.From that location we were just to the right and behind the Dunkirk radio tower.

Barry has the right idea ,a map reading query,as some of the footpaths dive off in the general direction,but then twist left or right.

RandomAccessMemory

SORNED?

A Bear trap

7 miles, sunny v hot,7 of us no ice cream shop.

RAMBLINGS BBC R4 JOIN US

2011-09-20T16:49:00.001+01:00

Last week was a dummy run for today's recording when Clare Balding and Helen Chetwynd joined us for the BBC Radio 4 programme,Ramblings .
We met at Wye ,train to Chilham and walked back down the North Downs Way in the Kings Wood at Challock.We then cut across country in open fields to Wye.
6 miles 8 of us grey skies no rain .

Someone has shoved a cushion up my fleece.

Then a quick drink in the Tickled Trout Pub then home.

Chilham to Wye North Downs way.

2011-09-14T19:51:00.003+01:00

We thought he photographer had fallen in as he was absent.

The Great Stour river starts at Lenham and ends in the English Channel

Godmersham Park where Jane Austen invented the bodice-ripper

Someone's kissed the Blarney stone

7 chaps 7 miles ,sunny warm typical September day

CHILHAM SHOTTENDEN ORCHARD WALK

2011-08-31T22:35:00.000+01:00

Chilham Village,no ice cream shop

good old Malling 27 dwarf rootstock

What's going on here?I fell flat on my face,but the photographer was a bit slow,and I recovered and saved face.

Someone has missed his true calling,I didn't take this but it draws the eye around the corner .

another very good one that draws you in

I think a bond was struck here.

A semi-Llama

5 chaps 5 miles mild and bright.

PLUCKLEY EGERTON LITTLE CHART

2011-08-24T15:40:00.000+01:00

The Doghouse (as in Matrimony)

300 year old tree (4 hugs)

6 Chaps 7 miles WX=dry /grey.Ice creams at end

Doddington we break the 2,000 mile barrier

2011-08-17T17:04:00.003+01:00

We have broken through the 2,000 mile total,over the five and a half years we have been rambling.
Today we met at Doddington church and did a familiar circular walk through Torrey Hill and Robin Leigh Pemberton's estate.
Not too sure of the mileage but it was probably 6.
Across fields recently harrowed,and through plum orchards.
A pleasant breeze and quite warm for 6 of us.

WYE to CRUNDALE

2011-08-10T17:56:00.001+01:00

Wye Church at 25 past 10 at the start.

delivering a birthday cake with 80 candles on it

walk fast,have a rest and when the stragglers catch up start walking.

At the top of the skyline is the North Downs way at Kings Wood

A farm in the valley at Crundale,where we stopped for coffee,and speculated about the church graveyard being a nice place to rest(permanently)

Looking towards Charing ,a very windy day so the skies were clear

a steep and treacherous path(no casualties)

We started a bit later at 10:30 and set off through the churchyard at Wye and Wibberly permissive path towards Crundale Church.
There was very little moaning as the strong wind kept everyone cool.The views did not disappoint,and we made good time,stopping for coffee at the church and then on through the woods.Slowing a little at this stage we crested the downs,then back down in to Wye.
5 chaps 9 miles sunny windy,with ice creams at the end.

CHARING & WESTWELL

2011-08-03T18:34:00.001+01:00

Field of Dreams

Or maybe The Borrowers

This path ends in someone's driveway

And this is it with no signs(remaining?)


Shortly after this ,ice creams were enjoyed.We started at 08:00

This cluster of buildings is pre-Elizabethan

Beyond the fringe

and here's the egress point for the footpath-up-a-driveway

we stopped here for coffee,collecting stares from the locals

Look at that humidity

We started early @ 08:00 as the humidity was oppressive,and took 3 hours to do the 6 or 7 miles.Charing to Westwell,up the North Downs to the Kent Gliding club,then back down.
Last bit was a bit of a drag,owing to the heat,but we made it OK.
I fell asleep at home ,hence the late posting for the blog.
Thunderstorms expected sometime,grateful relief.
4 chaps,7 miles ,humid sunny.

Mereworth-Wateringbury Greensand and Medway.

2011-07-27T16:46:00.005+01:00

You've got to be a skilled backwoodsman to get this close.

Where's he got to now?

Stanly Spencer ?

This was humid like the Malayan Jungle,a Japanese soldier tried to surrender to us,being unaware that the war was over (and a few new ones had started.)

We had to get our machetes out here

RV @ Bearsted 501 park and ride to the West station than a #7 to mereworth church.Down the dangerous A26 and then off road on the Greensand Way.Passing Nettlestead Church and Roydon Hall
(home of the Twisden family)then to Nettlestead Green,and Yalding,where we set off along the Medway river bank.
At Wateringbury we climbed the hill to the bus stop having called in for a Magnum ice cream on the way.A 2 minute wait(to cancel out my earlier debacle),then on to Maidstone where we caught a 501 back to the nicer side of town.
More pictures later(if you behave yourself and sit up straight with your hands in your lap)

6 miles 5 chaps, overcast,

DODDINGTON

2011-07-20T15:11:00.001+01:00

Himalayan Eagle Owl or,as I should have called it a Bengalese Eagle Owl.

With Impressionist filter "on"

A bus ride to Doddington from Sittingbourne and then back across the fields and orchards via Lynsted where we stopped for coffee and I scrumped a kilo of black cherries.
Grey,mild,6 chaps 6 miles.

Conyer Creek

2011-07-11T18:10:00.008+01:00


Looking towards Harty land ,5 of us 5 miles grey and windy.


This is the bus we should have caught,but owing to my error we didn't.It says Newnham George,I thought it said garage As a result of this gross error,we had to get the car out and go to Conyer,which turned out to be a nice walk along the sea wall,in a quite strong wind.Plenty of sea birds,we hunkered down on the lee of the wall for coffee and then started back.

HUCKING WOODLAND TRUST

2011-07-06T13:21:00.003+01:00

Look carefully you will see a couple of chaps lurking in the woods.

RV @ the car park on the top of the hill along from the Church.We crossed over and meandered around the estate ,Storm clouds were gathering and waterproofs went on,just in time,and we carried on around the periphery.Its all "right to roam"so we were not too bothered where we went,we stopped overlooking the Len Valley from the North Downs for our coffee on one of the benches dotted about.Waterproofs came off,then went on again.

This will enlarge with a double click

Thats the other side of the Medway flood plain at Snodland

About 5 miles 4 of us rainy,windy.

MV Pocahontas is full, so no trip next week.

Cobham Woods

2011-06-29T16:53:00.007+01:00

There's a double post of this bench seat picture,the edit facility will not allow me to delete it.Sorry for delay posting owing to these problems.I know people in Fallon Nevada,Brazil,and even Gravesend are keen to see where we have been this week.

RV @ Shorne country park,off the A2 at Gravesend.Off down to Park Pale and over the A2 (Roman road Watling Street)and the High Speed Rail link where a train went past us at 300kph a few feet away.
Into the woods,a very nice day ,sunny with fluffy clouds and fresh feeling after the recent 2 day heatwave and thunder.Some nice views towards blue Bell Hill and the Medway Valley.Across the fields into the girl's school at Cobham Manor ,and electric fence forcing us to climb over a gate.Then back to the Country Park for a cup of tea.
4 or 5 miles (and 5 chaps)

WYE (Oh Why)

2011-06-22T15:43:00.002+01:00

We forgot our cameras.RV opp the Church and off to the Stour Valley walk in a light drizzle,an aperitif ,for that which was to follow.As we walked through the Oil Seed,which was dry,it started to rain,and then rain heavily.
It was remarked that two of us had left our waterproof trousers at home,one his boots,and another his heavy duty waterproof jacket.After a lot of wading through wet grass and crops we decided to cut the walk short and return via the (dangerous)roads.So we have learned a lesson(take all your kit)(and remember a camera)
here's the radar pic of the rain as justification .
4 chaps 4 miles,very wet ,downcast.

BROADSTAIRS

2011-06-15T18:03:00.001+01:00

Where the family Forge was

Urinal?Drinking fountain?-you decide

Charlie Alpha Tango

Local art on a builders hoarding

In NZ they have a Brassiere fence this is Broadstair's Flotsam fence

Just a walk from Broadstairs to Ramsgate and back along the prom and the clifftop.
tea and Bread Pudding and a portion of chips, see you in ICU.

5 miles 4 chaps grey and overcast

CHARING (SOUTH)

2011-06-08T20:08:00.000+01:00

Meeting in the village ,after a cup of tea at the local cafe,we set off and took the KCC approved
route map to the quarry,famous for its local sand.We stopped half way and did a "Last of the summer wine"
by reposing in a playing field at cloud spotting.
Lots of Sheep S*** was encountered.

Couldn't see the sand martins that were there last time.

6 miles 4 chaps,rain/sun/wind/dry.

Benenden Roman Road and Ford and getting lost

2011-06-01T17:48:00.002+01:00

This is the Roman Road

The Roman Ford 1.6 OHC

A couple of fine upstanding chaps,can I be warned next time so that I can pose?

I was going around in circles here and not paying attention to the verbal hints.

RV@ Hemsted Forest my colleagues having transported a wasp on their windscreen from Sittingbourne ,I wonder if it went all the way back home with them.Why no picture?Anyway off through the girl's school grounds (holiday time so no breach of probation)and then on to the Roman Road.According to my research which is of the same high standard as my map reading,Harold(of Hastings fame)came down here with his army after defeating the Vikings,on his way to lose 6-0 to the French.We stopped a couple of times,once outside the church at Benenden village green .Towards the end of the walk I was disorientated and we walked in a large circle,adding 2 miles to the walk.I have been issued with a verbal warning(in Saxon)
I fell asleep when I sat down at home despite my best efforts not to.
8 miles 4 chaps hot sunny lovely views.

Rhododendron =Rose Tree

A large fish that likes digestive biscuits

Last of the summer Whine?

Oh to be in England (and not be lost)

Conyer Creek to Faversham along the sea wall.

2011-05-18T15:11:00.001+01:00

Meeting at Sittingbourne and catching the 344 bus to Conyer and then along the sea wall and a 333 bus back to sittingbourne.A grey and windy day,but very pleasant nonetheless.

Traces of the WW1 rail line to the jetty remain

A narrow guage railway ran from Davington to the explosives factory,this rail line has been used to strengthen the concrete.the works blew up in April 1916

Harty ferry the Southern shore

7 miles 4 of us.

LEEDS CASTLE Short walk

2011-05-11T18:26:00.000+01:00

Just a short walk to compensate for the excess on saturday last.A pot of tea ,a little stroll around the aviary.
And a wary eye on the gathering clouds.
Did I mention we bunked in?
20 degrees dull/sunny 4 chaps 4 miles.

McMillan's Nurses Charity walk North Downs way

2011-05-08T09:13:00.000+01:00

It was decided to go for sponsorship for the above charity on a walk of 15+ miles Chilham to Lenham along the NDW.Following overnight thunderstorms,the WX was quite kind to us,a hazy sun,an occasional breeze ,no rain ,and firm underfoot.Six of us RV at lenham and caught the train to Chilham.We had undertaken this walk in the middle of winter and this was quite a contrast.After Chilham we went into the Kings Wood and had our first break in the coppiced area .Our next stop was the pub at Boughton Aluph,where we had time for a quick half.A little further on we stopped for sandwiches at St Mary's abandoned church at Eastwell.
We met up with another 3 of our walkers just past Charing and managed to make it to Lenham,where we again gravitated to a pub.
More details will be posted as to amounts raised etc as they become vailable.

Thats Tea

Love interest

Wye?

At this point we were a little tired

London Pride

WATERINGBURY TO MAIDSTONE ALONG THE MEDWAY TOWPATH

2011-05-04T15:47:00.004+01:00

A lovely day starting with a 7 bus from the west station to wateringbury,then we walked all the way along the towpath.The BBMF Lancaster flew over in salute.A new graded path was a little tiring to walk on,but will be an improvement in muddy weather.
An ice cream in maidstone whilst waiting for the bus.And an argument with an old git who thought I had pushed in the bus queue.

5 of us 6 miles 23C nice walk.

BLUEBELLS CHALLOCK KINGS WOOD

2011-04-27T16:37:00.003+01:00

Its right to roam ,so we did.No particular plan just wander hither and thither in the woods.
The pictures of Bluebells are manifold,so please enjoy.

The HQ was hidden by these woods an exciting story,members included Sir Thomas Neame,Jim Mount,Basil Neame
Please let me explain;-in 1939 it was a foregone conclusion that the S.E. would be invaded,therefore , a band of "ostensibly" Home Guard Units was set up with special underground bunkers ,plastic explosive,specially made radio sets,sniper rifles etc.Their instructions included, assassination of collaborators,disruption of transport,reconnaissance of the enemy.They were very highly trained,many going into regular special forces parachute units later in the war.

6 of us 5 miles ,no bites stings,super-injunctions,or wedding invitations.

CONYER-UP THE CREEK

2011-04-20T18:11:00.001+01:00

This Harris Hawk moved on after ascertaining that there was insufficient meat available from the prey

We are now in our summer plumage ,better to attract fertile females

Along with traffic lights and an escalator,the town now has a bridge.

Conyer Creek,off The Swale.We went all the way by bus,and what a nice bus,v inexpensive.We walked along the Saxon Shore Way ,it was a lovely sunny day,back towards the town of sittingbourne ,I don't think anything of note happened,apart from me treating the reduced group to a meat and bean pie.
4 of us sunny 27C ,6 miles ,no injuries,no offers,no arrests,no regrets.
Next week we go to stare at the blue bells in the woods.

CHILHAM GODMERSHAM SHORT WALK

2011-04-13T16:55:00.001+01:00

It was suggested that a short(5 mile)walk would be nice this week and seems to have worked out OK.
A frosty start to the day,dull and grey,we met at Chilham car park,and set off through the village to French Mill on the River Stour,and then up the hill toJuliberries grave.We kept on the Stour valley path all the way to Godmersham and then crossed over the Ashford road and into the parkland where we stopped and ate our sandwiches,I was sent off to one side as mine were fish paste.Up the hill in to the park stopping to confer with a pair of horses,and then the North Downs Way back to Chilham.We popped into the garden centre just up the road for a hot chocolate,and a sit down in a greenhouse.

The buttress is made from a tree base upturned

Looks like my efforts in Woodwork at school

This little chap came running up to us and seemed to claim us as parents

I used to work here at weekends and finally got bored with the jousting and falcons

They are saying"Where's the bloody photographer got to now?"

French Mill from "A Canterbury Tale"

Milling about decision making

We stopped to marvel at the rare yellow thing that appeared in the sky.

The Horse Whisperer strikes again

5 miles 6 chaps mostly grey (some balding)

ELHAM VALLEY RAILWAY PATH

2011-04-06T20:08:00.003+01:00

We met at Lyminge by the library,an early start as we had to travel 30 miles to get there .We crossed the road and caught the #17 scenic bus which was packed with elderly people ,and now even more so.A lovely little ride down impossibly narrow country lanes,reaching Barham we disembarked(got off)Up the hill (yes I did promise no hills)
and into the woods and a lovely path through the trees.We turned down into the open valley where there were a couple of comical horses,who received digestive biscuits in payment.Up the other side we lay on the grass slope and had our coffee etc (I like etc).After this,up hill and down dale and into Elham where we were treated to ice creams and I debriefed and ex-RAF pathfinder about his exploits during DER KREIG when he baled out over the Big City. Regaining the path after a bit of milling about and loss of faith in their leader(me)we set off along the track bed to Lyminge getting more and more weary and silent.
6 Chaps 6.5 miles(that's all I can make it)a lovely hot day.
For me:a rubdown with the Sporting Life when I got home.

During the war the railway was taken over by the WD who parked "Boche Buster"in a tunnel

This is where we met,now a public library and car park

I believe they call this "cupboard love"

Practicing for the long sleep

This Farmer is obviously a Virgoan

This building is 1450 so we aged it incorrectly by 100 years

Now you see us....

Now you don't

That's not a commode,its a footpath marker

If Cliff Richard were a tree.....


This is the Nailbourne and has been measured at 6 million gallons per day and could be as much as 20 Million gallons .It does flood occasionally.

That's all Folks!

HOTHFIELD GODINTON

2011-03-30T15:57:00.003+01:00

A walk down to the Great stour river and through farmland to the south,through some woods ,then into Godinton Park,and back along the Stour Valley walk to Hothfield Church.It was cold to start,then we warmed up,disrobed,then it became cold again and so on.It rained on the way home in the car (not in the car)
as previously promised.Let the pictures tell their own story.......
7 Miles 5 chaps.dull(not the chaps,in fact anything but)

This sheep bears the callsign Juliet 2