A second visit to Hernhill, about five km east of Faversham. Name means “at the grey hill” Looking at loose ends: footpaths which don’t easily connect with my previous visit as a countryside access warden.
Thursday Nov 4th, my sister’s birthday, was cloudy with cold wind from the north. Almost cancelled plan when radio mentioned thundery showers. Don’t like rain. The met office forecast reassured me.
Parked by St Michael’s church, near the Red Lion pub. Walked north past houses. Right onto footpath ZR516. Amusing sign: Want to start FREE Yoga? Please start by bending over and picking up your dog poo! (known as the downward dog position) THEN POOP IT IN THE BIN! Humour may work better than orders.
Shortly saw three dogwalkers enter the rec. Path on grass next to a hedge by apple trees. Three metal kissing gates. I pruned obstructive branches. One gate had a puddle: the most mud i saw on the walk.
Turn left onto Crockham Lane, hurrying past a tanker emptying a cess pit. Past Black Oast (doesn’t look like an oast) which seems to be a dyslexia specialist unit, and Godfrey’s Grave. Sign on a wall reads CLARIDGES Godfrey’s Grave
Failed to find who Godfrey was. Twice passed a woman with two black dogs. Failed also to find end of path ZR513. A likely place had no fingerpost or other sign of public path.
Returned to car, walking past primary school. Years ago went to a wine and wisdom there.
Parked by pumping station in Fostall. Mother and daughter led two ponies. By a row of houses found the fingerpost and path end and walked uphill between fences. At the south end found no sign of fingerpost. Nailed a waymarker to a post. The final path was north from Fostall, a drove lane severed by A299 Thanet Way. A grassy path next to wooden fence, became progressively more obstructed by brambles. Too much for my secateurs especially when a thorn stuck in my nose.
A short walk, accompanied by rumble of traffic on Thanet Way.
And it didn’t rain
Acknowledge Judith Glover “The place names of Kent” and Wikipedia
Rambling Brummie 