Carol Donaldson is an environmental consultant and author living in north Kent. When i heard she was walking to Egypt Bay i was reminded of a walk about twenty years ago. My aim was to visit Kent’s most northerly point, on the Thames near Egypt Bay. Think i planned a circular walk from Cliffe toContinue reading “Kent’s furthest north”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Elham Valley Way
The Elham Valley, in East Kent, runs northward from Lyminge. As far as Bridge it follows the Nailbourne, an intermittent stream that’s running well in this wet season. The Elham Valley Railway, closed in 1947, ran from Canterbury to Cheriton Junction near Folkestone. With hindsight, it would be great if the abandoned railway had becomeContinue reading “The Elham Valley Way”
Rambling down memory lane
During lockdown i’ve been sorting through over sixty years of papers. Hard to throw anything away, but i’m trying. This triggers memories. Recently i found a ticket stub from the Albert Hall, May 27th 1966. Bob Dylan. A letter from my lover at the time. The lyrics to “Mr Tambourine Man” in her handwriting withContinue reading “Rambling down memory lane”
Stour Valley Walk
There seem to be five major rivers in England called Stour (prob Celtic “strong one”) The Kent one runs from Lenham in the North Downs through Ashford, Canterbury, and Sandwich to the sea at Pegwell Bay. The Stour valley walk follows the river valley, though only about 17km out of 83 are on the riverContinue reading “Stour Valley Walk”
Rambling round the Saxon Shore
Having done my first stage of the North Downs Way i was sidetracked by the Saxon Shore Way. I found, probably in the Albion bookshop Canterbury (gone, alas) “the Saxon Shore Way” [Kent Rights of Way Council,1980] This guide is a set of nine day walks with maps and written directions, each day a differentContinue reading “Rambling round the Saxon Shore”
Thoughts on snow
I like snow: when fresh and white, crunchy and easy to walk on. Deadens noise. Enjoyed a walk to the allotment on Monday, the first visitor that morning. The plots evened out under a white blanket. Snow is educational in two ways. First: we learn how vulnerable our society is to cuts in transport, powerContinue reading “Thoughts on snow”
Decrepitude
Walking is simple: children can do it. Put one foot forward, bring the back foot past it, repeat. Walking is easy on a flat surface such as concrete or asphalt. Fairly easy on rural paths of earth, grass, gravel. More difficult in recent times where heavy rain has turned bare earth to mud and floodedContinue reading “Decrepitude”
Suburban walking
During the current lockdown i feel i shouldn’t drive far to walk and i am avoiding buses. Whatever ministers say, the rules are not clear. We can leave home for exercise, but how far?This means walking from home. Rural walks have disadvantages: stiles, steep hills, and mud. Urban walks lack these but have uneven pavements,Continue reading “Suburban walking”
Countryside Access Warden
A snappy title. I prefer to call myself “volunteer footpath warden”. What does it mean? Visiting Kent’s public rights of way: byways, bridleways and footpaths. Reporting faults: e.g. damaged stiles, obstructions, fallen trees, locked gates. Fitting waymarkers. Light pruning. Back in 2011 Kent were recruiting CAWs. I attended a training course at Wye Village Hall.Continue reading “Countryside Access Warden”
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”
Rambling Brummie 