The Larkey Valley Wood is about three kilometres southwest of Canterbury. Given to the city by Alderman Frank Hooker in 1932, it is 44 hectares of woodland. A Site of Special Scientific Interest and local Nature Reserve. Looked at another way, one of Canterbury’s public parks.
I came here often in times past, walking with family, running or walking. Being older, today i drove to the carpark for a three mile walk, which could be shortened if my left ankle became too painful. A lovely sunny morning. Saw a squirrel by the road.
The walk begins on a stony byway. Met the first dogwalker. On the left, beech trees on the thin chalky soil. Many were blown down in the great storm of 1987. To the right, views of the Stour Valley including the church and paper mill at Chartham.
Turn left on a beaten earth path through the wood. Right onto a bridleway leading southeast out of the woods. On the right currant bushes. On the left, a tall hedge. To New House Lane. Turn left towards Canterbury. A car passed. Left onto another bridleway, past New House farmhouse into the woods. Here i turned right onto a minor path, winding between trees and sometimes stepping over fallen trees.
Back on the main path, walking down the valley, a whirring noise alerted me to four cyclists. Then four dogs and four people, one a babe in a sling. At the Cave Tree, a big beech where my sons used to enjoy the cave in the roots, turn steeply uphill. Passed four other walkers here. Then a short walk back to the carpark.
On this walk i realised i’m not good at identifying trees, birds or flowers. But i can enjoy a woodland walk without being able to name things.
Rambling Brummie 