Two walks in a week, of importance mainly to myself. A year ago i intended this blog to be based on walks with Datrows [Dover and Thanet Rights of Way Society] and as a CAW [Countryside Access Warden] Then came Covid restrictions.
I’ve never been locked down, though walking has been limited by decrepitude. Now, Kent County Council has allowed its volunteer CAWs to resume activity. And walking groups may go out in groups of six.
Having proved my stamina with a four mile walk, i picked an easy walk to look at footpaths. Could i carry my bag of CAW equipment and manage a walking stick? Graveney is a tiny place between Whitstable and Faversham. I chose it because i could park by All Saints church and it’s flat. I’d not walked there for decades, and was pleased to find the paths well-marked and well-trodden. Didn’t go astray and didn’t fall over. A slight rise to Broom Street and the Old Vicarage. Farmland and fruit bushes. Dog walkers. Posters opposing building of 320 hectares of solar panels on grade 3b agricultural land. Posters supporting the Green Party.
Didn’t have much to do, but it felt like a return to useful work.
On Sunday i joined the Datrows walk from Bridge led by Steve and Jan Tebbett. Two groups of six, a distance apart.
A football match on Bridge Rec. Children practicing football skills. On Conyngham Road i thought i needn’t use my stick, tripped, and fell, grazing left hand. Embarrassing. The rest of the walk was fine. Hard earth paths replacing the mud of winter, The Nailbourne flowing well. Nervous of people: to me, six is a crowd. But good to be back with the group. A buzzard high overhead. Welcome coffee in the garden of the Red Lion.
And a welcome bottle of Whitstable pale ale after driving home.
April 26th, 2021
Rambling Brummie 