Hambrook

Walking, preferably in the country, is essential to my mental and physical wellbeing. It’s good to avoid buses and unnecessary car journeys. A time to revisit short walks from home. Short because of general decrepitude.

One of my favourite places is Hambrook, a nature reserve just to the west of Canterbury. A water meadow by the river Stour, originally intended to flood in winter, it was altered during construction of the A2 Canterbury bypass. Tons of gravel were removed for road building and replaced mostly by chalk.

The walk was about two miles, enlivened by strong easterly wind and sleet showers. My back was mostly to the wind on the Great Stour Way, a cycle route to Chartham and beyond. I specially wanted to see the Boardwalk, of recycled plastic, built to help visitors view the bog and pond underneath.Sadly it has been ruined by arsonists. Destruction is easier than creation. I took photos and asked “Why?” A nearby viewing platform had also been attacked.

I left the river and passed Morrisons, about to open half an hour early for NHS workers. My dodgy left foot was okay until the last halfmile, through houses.

Don’t like walking in bad weather. But it’s good when you stop.