Autumn: time to pick sloes, bitter fruit of the blackthorn. Some make sloe gin. Don’t like gin. For years i’ve made sloe vodka, adding sloes and sugar to the spirit. Usually i do countryside access warden work on Thursdays. Planned a local walk on October 7th to check on a hole i’d filled and seekContinue reading “Two sloe walks”
Tag Archives: Kent
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 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”
Three churches walk
A leisurely walk with Dover and Thanet Rights of Way Society on May 9th covered three miles in the valley of the Little Stour. Connecting the villages of Littlebourne, Wickhambreaux and Ickham. The last two i would call hamlets. We started at the Rose Inn, Wickhambreaux, dividing into two groups of six, led by JanContinue reading “Three churches walk”
Towards normality?
Two walks in a week, of importance mainly to myself. A year ago i intended this blog to be based on walks with Datrows [Dover and Thanet Rights of Way Society] and as a CAW [Countryside Access Warden] Then came Covid restrictions. I’ve never been locked down, though walking has been limited by decrepitude. Now,Continue reading “Towards normality?”
Swale Heritage Trail
The Swale is the channel between the Isle of Sheppey and the rest of Kent. From Old English “swalwe” meaning rushing water. The Borough of Swale is the local government area including Sittingbourne and Faversham. The Swale Heritage trail links these two towns and continues to Goodnestone to the east of Faversham. The trail wasContinue reading “Swale Heritage Trail”
Kent’s furthest north
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”
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”
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 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”
Rambling Brummie 