marsheagle

Third time lucky

Old age is awful, but the alternative is worse. First heard these words of wisdom from Manfred Rommel, MEP and son of the German general. I blame old age for occasional blunders and lack of attention. Back in March, i looked at some footpaths in Blean, north of Canterbury. After trudging through mud i wentContinue reading “Third time lucky”

Back to Blean Woods

I am a volunteer Countryside Access Warden. A posh title that means i help maintain public rights of way. Kent County Council has decided i can resume work after the lockdown. Last Thursday i cautiously visited footpaths near home in Canterbury, avoiding people as much as possible. I pruned a lot of intrusive brambles. Yesterday,Continue reading “Back to Blean Woods”

Oare gunpowder works country park

First visit this year to one of my favourite places. Oare gunpowder works is just off Faversham’s Western Link Road. Gunpowder was made there until 1934. After seventy years of neglect major conservation work took place. Remaining structures were conserved and access paths made. The site is managed for nature and biodiversity. During lockdown theContinue reading “Oare gunpowder works country park”

Father and son

Yesterday, June 21st, was Fathers’ Day. A walk with my oldest son seemed appropriate. Also the day after the summer solstice. My home for the past 45 years is about a kilometre from the centre of Canterbury and less from farmland and orchards. In light drizzle we first went to my allotment where i wateredContinue reading “Father and son”

Black lives matter

Two different walks this past weekend, each about three miles. With misgivings i joined Canterbury’s Black Lives Matter march on Saturday. Misgivings because i haven’t been in a group of more than three people since the lockdown began in March. But there’s a time to stand up and be counted. A big crowd, many withContinue reading “Black lives matter”

Circuit of Canterbury

Before The Virus, Sunday mornings were for walking. Either with the Dover and Thanet Rights of Way Society or footpath work with my oldest son Joseph. Kent County Council has not yet authorised countryside access work to resume. But I can walk with my son, two metres apart because he’s a separate household. A favouriteContinue reading “Circuit of Canterbury”

Julius Caesar was here

About three kilometres west of Canterbury was the first recorded battle on British soil. In 55BC Julius Caesar made a brief excursion to this land. In 54BC he returned with a greater force. He wrote that a day’s march from the sea he forded a river. The native Brits took refuge in a hillfort whichContinue reading “Julius Caesar was here”

Pretence of normality

For years i’ve been walking with the Dover and Thanet Rights of Way Society. DATROWS for short. Most of their walks are five or six miles, too much for my ageing legs. I’ve led a few”leisurely” three mile walks. The schedule had me doing this today, Sunday May 24th. The lockdown has cancelled all walks.Continue reading “Pretence of normality”

Another Larkey Valley Sunday

The Larkey Valley Wood is about three kilometres southwest of Canterbury. Given to the city by Alderman Frank Hooker in 1932, it is 44 hectares of woodland. A Site of Special Scientific Interest and local Nature Reserve. Looked at another way, one of Canterbury’s public parks. I came here often in times past, walking withContinue reading “Another Larkey Valley Sunday”

Cricket or walking?

One of my interests is cricket. BBC Radio 5X have re-broadcast ball-by-ball commentary on the epic Edgbaston Test of 2005 between England and Australia. On Sunday August 7th Australia needed an unlikely 107 runs to win. England only needed to take two wickets. What’s this got to do with walking? In those fitter days iContinue reading “Cricket or walking?”