On the North Downs
People started arriving from mid afternoon on Friday and we all met up in the evening for a meal and discussion about the weekend ahead. There were to be 16 of us braving the inclement weather predicted for Saturday. The pub and accommodation were superb, as was the food.
Breakfast was at 8am and it was dry outside to start with. Our plan was to walk from Harrietsham back to Thurnham. We left in a convoy for the short drive to Bearsted station, feeling like kids on a school trip as Dee bought our tickets for us! Just two stops on the train.
People started arriving from mid afternoon on Friday and we all met up in the evening for a meal and discussion about the weekend ahead. There were to be 16 of us braving the inclement weather predicted for Saturday. The pub and accommodation were superb, as was the food.
Breakfast was at 8am and it was dry outside to start with. Our plan was to walk from Harrietsham back to Thurnham. We left in a convoy for the short drive to Bearsted station, feeling like kids on a school trip as Dee bought our tickets for us! Just two stops on the train.
Starting off outiside the Black Horse and then enjoying our ride on the train
We set off on our walk and for the first hour the day was dry. However the rain soon came and although not heavy was continuous until 3pm as promised. The recent heavy rain had made the tracks rather wet and the mud was very hard going. At times up and down the slopes was like skiing rather badly. We were lucky enough to find a village hall with outside cover to have our coffee stop but lunch in the woods was a little more exposed.
A bit of welcome shelter for our morning coffee stop and, later on, muddy but still smiling!
One highlight was a sheep bringing her two very new lambs to meet us as we struggled down a grassy bank. Perhaps they enjoyed watching us struggle on terrain they find so easy with their four legs.
We marched on and were rewarded for our efforts by some stunning views at times. Nevertheless we were all glad to get back to the pub and rest before dinner and remove all of our very muddy and soggy boots and clothes. We had also had to climb 17 stiles during the day and not all were stable! Several of us made use of the rest time by watching England beat France in the rugby.
Dinner was at 8pm and the food was once again excellent but many of us headed to bed early after such a hard day.
We marched on and were rewarded for our efforts by some stunning views at times. Nevertheless we were all glad to get back to the pub and rest before dinner and remove all of our very muddy and soggy boots and clothes. We had also had to climb 17 stiles during the day and not all were stable! Several of us made use of the rest time by watching England beat France in the rugby.
Dinner was at 8pm and the food was once again excellent but many of us headed to bed early after such a hard day.
Sunday dawned with a beautiful blue sky and after yet another sumptuous breakfast we set off directly from the pub although we were down to 9 in number due to various knee injuries. We decided to visit Thurnham Castle first before heading off onto the next stage of the North Downs Way towards Detling. Very quickly sheep again became a part of our day when one was discovered lying on its back in a field. A quick phone call to the pub to get it some help was arranged. We walked along the ridge but had to come down to cross the main road by Detling and there in the village by the war memorial were enough benches for us all to sit and have our coffee break. We were unfortunately unable to help a passing motorist with instructions on how to find the nearby point to point racetrack. We crossed the busy main road via Jade's bridge built in memory of an 8-year-old and her grandmother killed crossing the same road in 2000.
Sunday: it's all about mud and steps!
Whereas Saturday was all about mud and stiles Sunday was more about steps, steps and more steps. Although there were several rather muddy and wet areas to walk through we also had quite a lot of dry paths and tracks which allowed us to make good time. Our lunch stop was in a wood perched on logs once again. We carried on along the ridge and took a short detour to see the White Stone (remnant of a neolithic long barrow). Then we walked back across fields towards Detling and Thurnham hoping to beat the rain that was in the air.
We arrived back at the pub about 4pm and after cleaning ourselves up all descended on the tea, coffee and cakes which were provided. The cakes were of the standard of all the food previously eaten there and were wonderful. Since we were down in number several pieces were wrapped up and taken home for later too.
The walks were approximately 10 miles each and were definitely hard work but on the occasions when the trees cleared and the views could be enjoyed it was worth it.
Thanks again to Dee for a great weekend. Carol and Maggy
We arrived back at the pub about 4pm and after cleaning ourselves up all descended on the tea, coffee and cakes which were provided. The cakes were of the standard of all the food previously eaten there and were wonderful. Since we were down in number several pieces were wrapped up and taken home for later too.
The walks were approximately 10 miles each and were definitely hard work but on the occasions when the trees cleared and the views could be enjoyed it was worth it.
Thanks again to Dee for a great weekend. Carol and Maggy
