Usually in Canterbury i walk because i have things to do. Eg shops, library, dentist, doctor, cinema. Focussed on what i’m doing, where to put feet. Sometimes walk for pleasure or to do daily mile.
This walk is a mile circuit from home, one of several. Sep 4th i chose it and wondered why. Am obviously not a Canterbury native but have lived here more than half my life. Dry morning, about 20 deg C. Glimpse of the pinnacles and top of cathedral tower. Under Wincheap railway bridge, right on Station Road East. Footbridge over Pin Hill dual carriageway. Right on city wall, medieval on Roman foundations. Path down side of Dane John mound, British burial mound. Used by Normans as temporary castle. Left in Dane John gardens, avenue of limetrees. Past remains of Norman castle keep, closed because of falling masonry. St Mildreds church, oldest parish church within city walls. Two footbridges across Stour. Former Williamsons tannery, now housing. We don’t miss the smell. More concentrated housing where Telephone House used to be. Past Aldi (once Habitat) back to Wincheap. Not too much traffic noise on Sunday morning.
Why do i like this short walk? Realise it connects with much of Canterbury’s history. Personal memories also. Cricket with sons. Music: Wild Turkey, Skinners Rats, Here be Dragons. Picking rubbish from river in a punt with Stour Valley Volunteers. March supporting Jeremy Corbyn, a brief time when real change seemed possible.
I walk because i have to. All day indoors would be intolerable. Left foot stood up well. Spent much of the day watching cycling on tv. Tour of Britain and Vuelta a Espana.
This walk was before the UK got a new prime minister and a new monarch.
Rambling Brummie 