Before The Virus, Sunday mornings were for walking. Either with the Dover and Thanet Rights of Way Society or footpath work with my oldest son Joseph. Kent County Council has not yet authorised countryside access work to resume. But I can walk with my son, two metres apart because he’s a separate household.
A favourite walk is a circuit of Canterbury, following as near as possible the medieval walls, built on top of the Roman walls. Canterbury lies on the river Stour, which splits to make about six islands. My walk is about five kilometres.
Alertness is needed to keep separate from other walkers, runners, and cyclists.
A reason for this walk is to see favourite places. The keep of the Norman Castle is by the Wincheap roundabout. Walking clockwise: meadow by the Stour with an iron bull. Children’s playground at Toddler’s Cove. By the river through the Westgate gardens with lawns, flowers, trees, mallards and pigeons. Westgate towers, Canterbury’ only surviving medieval gate.
Still by the river to St Radigunds Street. Here a detour, following the river to Kingsmead Road and walking round an island past Barton Mill, once a watermill now residences.
Back on the wall, the Parrot pub was once timber framed houses. The wall of the former church in St Radigunds street, much repaired, contains Roman stonework. Broad Street parallels the walls, here protecting the cathedral’s Deanery. Glimpses of the cathedral itself. Then we can walk on top of the City wall, restored in the 1960s. Looking down on the Dane John gardens to the right, the dual Carriageway ringroad to the left. Looking up to the Dane John mound, probably burial mound of a British chief.
A footbridge over the road takes us to Canterbury East station. Joe goes left to his home: i turn right to mine. A pleasant walk on a sunny morning.
Family memories: playing with children at Toddlers Cove. Swimming at Kingsmead Pool. Speedway. Dentist in Broad Street Playing cricket in Dane John Gardens.
Naturally we talked. Cricket: BBC repeating 2013 Ashes Test. Roman Empire in the East , referring to a book Joe gave me. USA: Does the president have power to stop police thuggery? Walking can free the mind to ramble on about all sorts of subjects.
Rambling Brummie 