As a countryside access warden feel i should visit all paths in my area. Even if no reason to expect problems. Thursday Feb 3rd a two mile walk in Chestfield, south of A2990 old Thanet Way between Whitstable and Herne Bay. Paths last walked 2014. Ulterior motive: to visit B&Q and Homebase, just off A2990, seeking timber to repair shed. Saving unnecessary petrol.
Chestfield. Old French Chestel vieil, old castle. Civil parish population 3214 in 2011. May be regarded as a village. To the outsider consists of housing plus a cricket club, golfcourse, Catholic church of St Joseph and pub. The Barn. Originally part of Chestfield Manor. In 1921 George Reeves created an attractive olde worlde area, converting farm buildings and building new houses with recycled old material. Dwellings for the wealthy.
My anticlockwise circuit took me along Share and Coulter Road, Ridgeway, a large field, Grasmere Road, cricket ground, across stream which meets the sea at Swalecliffe, private road, path between houses. Work has started to turn the field into housing. Talk with dogwalker. Locals tried to get it declared a village green. Seems to me developers buy land and build houses regardless of local need. Profit is all. I hope the two public rights of way which cross the area are preserved.
Urban paths are often between high fences and not attractive walks. May attract litter. Chestfeld paths are mostly between hedges and litter free Mostly good surfaces. Gravel, tar or grass
Fell onto concrete, grazing knee and cutting finger.
“The ‘Happy to Chat’ bench. Sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello” Noone did while i sat and ate my apple. Suggests there are lonely people and people who wish to help them.
Did a little pruning and reported a marker post which had come out of the ground. Two mile walk took ninety minutes. Failed to find timber i needed. Bought seeds and had welcome coffee at Meadow Grange nursery in Blean.
There is a waymarked Chestfield Walk of 3.8 miles which i may attempt if fitter.
Rambling Brummie 