marsheagle

A walk in Boughton

On Thursday December 17th i visited the footpaths of Boughton under Blean, about ten kilometres west of Canterbury. Boughton means place with beech trees. The addition differentiates it from other Boughtons, e.g. Boughton Aluph near Wye. The main street, imaginatively named The Street, is the former Roman road Watling Street later the A2. The A2Continue reading “A walk in Boughton”

Checking an issue

Kent County Council asks its volunteer countryside access wardens to look at “issues”. In this case a damaged waymarker post on footpath CB487 near Chartham. This would mean a walk of about a mile so i drove along A28 on Sunday morning. Parked at the garden centre with the feeble excuse of looking at ChristmasContinue reading “Checking an issue”

Plucks Gutter

In the Middle Ages the Wantsum Channel separated the Isle of Thanet from the rest of Kent. The river Stour met this channel at Stourmouth. Now the river meets the sea about eight kilometres eastward at Pegwell Bay. The Little Stour joins the Stour at Plucks Gutter, a hamlet consisting mainly of the Dog andContinue reading “Plucks Gutter”

A short walk in Blean Woods

Blean woods cover about 3000 hectares to the northwest of Canterbury. This walk is in a small portion called Mincing Wood, said to be named from former owners the nuns of Minster Abbey, Thanet. I am a volunteer Countryside Access Warden and was checking the public footpaths in the area. And enjoying a sunny dayContinue reading “A short walk in Blean Woods”

A sentimental journey

An autumn ritual is a walk in Rough Common woods, to the west of Canterbury, to pick chestnuts. Chestnuts are welcome at Halloween and Bonfire Night. Over the years i have made numerous trips here, often with children, sometimes by bike, by car when more prosperous. A signed footpath off Rough Common Road on theContinue reading “A sentimental journey”

Canterbury’s Middle Ring

Canterbury’s middle ring of footpaths and roads is more than ten miles long. I am walking it in easy stages. From home i walked up Lime Kiln road, leading to an old chalk quarry. The Elham Valley railway ran through the pit on its way to Folkestone. Half of the pit is now a housingContinue reading “Canterbury’s Middle Ring”

A walk with history

I am delighted that Dover and Thanet Rights of Way Society (Datrows) resumed walks in September, limited to six walkers. October 4th’s leisurely walk began by the remains of the Roman fort at Richborough, about two miles north of Sandwich. The route gave fine views of the remaining Roman walls and deviated from the publicContinue reading “A walk with history”

Canterbury Rings

I met the Canterbury Rings by noticing a waymarker sticker on a local walk. Google revealed that there are three concentric walks, centred on Cantebury. They were initiated by David Reekie, helped by Simon Cox and Ray Forbes. Their aim is to support health, tourism, heritage, nature, local businesses, and all those who love toContinue reading “Canterbury Rings”

Urban walks

I have resumed work as a volunteer Countryside Access Warden. Kent County Council have told us to take extra precautions, including maintaining separation especially when working, wearing high visibility jacket and disinfecting any “furniture” touched, such as gates and stiles. I have yet to be very adventurous after lockdown. Have checked paths close to home,Continue reading “Urban walks”

A favourite walk

My walk last Sunday was a circuit of Canterbury, following the line of the medieval city walls. What makes it a favourite? It starts at home, is fairly flat, and is only about two miles. Lots of history plus fortyfive years of family memories. Posters on lampposts about a lost kitten. A loud fire engine.Continue reading “A favourite walk”