Chestnutting

Season of mists and fruitfulness. Damp in the air as i drove to Rough Common, about 3km northwest of Canterbury, for chestnuts. Usually go there in time for halloween and bonfire night. Somehow forgot this year. A circuit of Stockwood, part of Blean Woods which stretch 4km west to Dunkirk. “Blean” means rough ground. Always call the eastern end Rough Common woods. May not be owned in common, but are open to all. Used to be a favourite family walk. Includes a stream, bridge with a resident troll, a pond and a fallen tree which became a spaceship.

Parked in Church Wood Close. Cross Rough Common Road to footpath CB501. Downhill on earthen path, leafcovered. Beech holly oak silver birch chestnut. Downhill to dry stream. Picked up about fifteen chestnuts. Take what you need and leave the rest. Fungus. Some mud. Brambles of course. Bridge. Don’t bother the troll this time. Steep mounds maybe for BMX riders. Onto wide track by dry pond. Spaceship tree gone. Timber stack. Back on road. Pub now student letting business,Unilet. Back to car, a mile walked. In just over an hour.

While walking alone i don’t think about covid. Odd that i haven’t mentioned that earlier.

Bought manure from Red lion cottage, welcome coffee at Meadow Grange. Visited Blean rec ground for a private two minute silence at eleven, thinking of all the war dead throughout history.

While walking alone i don’t think about covid. Odd that i didn’t mention that earlier.