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”
Category Archives: walking
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 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”
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”
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”
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”
Rambling Brummie 