Old age is awful, but the alternative is worse. First heard these words of wisdom from Manfred Rommel, MEP and son of the German general. I blame old age for occasional blunders and lack of attention.
Back in March, i looked at some footpaths in Blean, north of Canterbury. After trudging through mud i went badly astray and was advised by a local man that the path i was seeking was underwater. As it was back in December 2012 on a previous visit. After lockdown, Kent County Council told its Countryside Access Wardens to cease work.
In July we were told we could carry on, with added safety measures, mainly to avoid people. I revisited the Blean paths, now baked dry. All went well till i reached a junction of six paths. Unsure of where i was, i could see no waymarkers. There were three female dogwalkers. One directed me, indeed accompanied me, back to the main road in Blean. Unfortunately, this was not the path i’d intended to walk.
A third visit Jul 9th. A path opposite Hillside Farm, where Peter Firmin of Bagpuss fame used to live. This path was underwater in March. Across a field. Fitted three yellow waymarkers, the first CAW work other than pruning. Yellow tape at a gate: nowhere to nail waymarkers. We are NOT to nail things to trees. Through woods to a wider track, leading to the junction of six paths. This time i saw the adequate waymarkers. How did i miss them the other time. Old age? Or were the women standing in front of the posts? One of the six paths is not a public right of way. I picked the right one and easily walked back to the main road in Blean.
Three visits. Three kilometres of paths. Four and a half hours to sort them out. Stay alert in future.
Rambling Brummie 