In the Middle Ages the Wantsum Channel separated the Isle of Thanet from the rest of Kent. The river Stour met this channel at Stourmouth. Now the river meets the sea about eight kilometres eastward at Pegwell Bay. The Little Stour joins the Stour at Plucks Gutter, a hamlet consisting mainly of the Dog and Duck pub and two caravan sites. A mile upstream is Blood Point, where Alfred defeated the Danes.
“Stour” is a Celtic or Old English name meaning “strong one” Other Stours are found in East Anglia, Dorset, and the West Midlands. Who was Pluck? Wikipedia says he was Ploeg, a Dutch engineer who helped drain the marshes.
A long introduction to a short walk. It would have been with the Dover and Thanet Rights of Way society. The new lockdown restricted it to the walks secretary, Steven Tebbett, and me. A pleasant dry Sunday, overcast and about ten degrees Celsius.
From the bumpy carpark opposite the pub, down to the south bank of the Stour and left under the road bridge. Immediately we were on the bank of the Little Stour, a wide grassy path. Several anglers. Residential boats moored. I always like walking next to water. Usually something to see, if only a mallard.
We left the river on a restricted byway (meaning one can drive horsedrawn vehicles) leading to a road. Through the churchyard at West Stourmouth and across fields. A short walk on road back to the carpark.
We talked, of course. Origins of language. Wildlife: i once saw fortyfive swans near here. Fungi in autumn woods. Place names: Steve saying most English settlements were named by Anglo Saxons.
A pleasant walk, in good company.
Rambling Brummie 