Past the winter solstice. The days slowly get longer. More light. Less heat though. Neighbour Liz said “spring is coming” Yes, but winter comes first. Tradition means doing the same each year. Tradition is doing things without knowing why. at Christmas, each family probably makes its own traditions. With young children what’s done twice hasContinue reading “Christmas in Canterbury”
Category Archives: walking
November
Thomas Hood wrote a poem which starts “No sun no moon no morn no noon” and ends “no shade no shine no butterflies no bees no fruits no flowers no leaves no birds. November!” Thought he was overdoing it for dramatic effect. Was planning to say November’s not as bad as that. Wikipedia tells meContinue reading “November”
Autumn in the woods
What is autumn? Days get shorter and cooler. Fruits ripen. Leaves fall from deciduous trees. Walkers can enjoy cool dry sunny days, or endure cold wet days which don’t get properly light. Climate change ripens fruit earlier. If it delays winter does that mean longer autumn? As a countryside access warden i visited Ellenden Wood,Continue reading “Autumn in the woods”
Walk don’t run
The London Marathon was last Sunday, delayed by covid from its place in the spring. I watched the start on tv then took one of my regular walks, a circuit of Canterbury. Reminisced about my past running. Worked for 24 years at Canterbury College as a science technician. The college is less than a mileContinue reading “Walk don’t run”
A short walk in Ospringe
Ospringe is a small place in East Kent. Can’t decide if it’s a village. Or a part of Faversham, separated by the A2 here called Ospringe Street. Certainly Water Lane has the feel of a village, with primary school, 12th century church of St Paul and St Peter, and historic Queenhouse farm and Maison Dieu.Continue reading “A short walk in Ospringe”
Canterbury Middle Ring
Canterbury Rings were initiated by David Reekie, helped by Simon Cox and Ray Cordell. They are a nonprofit organisation aiming to create a waymarked network of urban and rural trails in and around the city. I came across the rings by seeing one of their waymarkers. Found this info and maps by entering “Canterbury Rings”Continue reading “Canterbury Middle Ring”
Joys of path clearing
As a countryside access warden i’ve done a lot of vegetation removal, light pruning using secateurs or a folding saw. Was issued with loppers but not easy to carry, especially on a bus. Walkers help to keep paths clear, crushing vegetation. If a path is not walked it can become overgrown quite quickly. I foundContinue reading “Joys of path clearing”
Nettles and brambles
Countryside access wardens are asked to deal with “issues” about public rights of way. This one, at Harbledown near Canterbury, was a stile on CB485 obstructed by nettles. I thought of a three mile walk including this stile, taking bus back from Blean. Am very wary of buses, especially as distancing seems to have ended.Continue reading “Nettles and brambles”
Sunday morning coming up
During the night i wake every hour or so. Rather than think thoughts, which leads to depression, i turn on the radio with thirty minutes with the sleep timer. BBC world service is adfree and serious. Unfortunately, it is largely news which is depressing. War and famine in Yemen, war and famine in Tigray, Israel/Palestine,Continue reading “Sunday morning coming up”
A walk from Hernhill
Hernhill is a small village to the north of Boughton. As a countryside access warden, i planned a two mile walk to check footpaths to the south. A walk of two halves: the first mostly across farmland, the second on roads. Hernhill has a village green with Red Lion pub and St Michael’s church. InContinue reading “A walk from Hernhill”
Rambling Brummie 