There was an AAC day walk today in Kent, and since we were in the area (in
purpose) I had arranged to meet up at the start coming down from Canterbury by
train. Sue was going to go to the Cathedral and St Augustine's abbey (open now
it was the weekend) as well as some retail therapy. She was not yet confident
in her knee to got for the length of the walk and this one being linear would
not give her the opportunity to stop at lunchtime (or partway)
Sue and I walked down to the city from the campsite and I continued through the
centre to Canterbury West station, whilst she peeled off to do her thing.
I
had around 20 mins to wait for the train that past through Chilham, which was
only a few minutes down the line.
At Chilham I was a just under an hour
before the scheduled start, which took its timing from the London train - if I
had caught the one an hour later I would have been late. I thought I would
wander around a bit and see the village, however just up the road from the
station I found a tea room in the back of an antiques showroom.
A rather
nice bacon buttie and cup of coffee later I went back to the station to meet the
first of the crowd - Paul and Elizabeth.
Michael (walk leader) arrived
next and we waited for the train delivering the rest of the attendees
(twelve in total).
Once all the paperwork was completed we set off up the road to the centre of the
village (passing Michael's house).
The centre is very picturesque with a big house (behind gates), and a central
square with black and white houses all around.
We left down a lane leading to Chilham park, where we diverted down a footpath
into the fields behind the houses.
Through the fields and over a bridge in the corner, to cross Ashford road
(A28).
Down the driveway opposite(ish) to pass a farm shop. Then under the railway and
down a track beside it.
Leaving the track to climb a hill beside a grass field (very swampy and slippy),
then traversing the slope above across the Stour valley way.
Across the end of Eggarton manor house garden then down a field to regain the
Stour valley way. This avoided a descend and reclimb.
Staying on the Stour valley way through several fields and over a back road,
before a short sharp climb up to Viney's wood. A small group avoided this via a
slower ascent on the road.
A drinks stop at Crundale church - overlooking the village of the same name.
Then
along a field edge to pick up a lane leading to Towns wood.
Still on the track through the woods to a sharp turn down a farm track to Pett
street farm. through the farm and up a green lane to Down farm.
At the farm up the drive way, before taking a steep track up to the Wye downs,
this track had been tarmacked to prevent wear.
Along to the top above the "crown" - from here it was just a few smudges on the
slope below. We would see the real deal later.
Panorama from the top.
Along the chalk ridge edge along the Wye downs.
This was the North Downs way (or at least the Folkestone alternative route). to
cross a back road and on to the Wye nature reserve.
This came out at the Devil's kneading trough - a steep gully. The sun was out to
greet us and showed good views off the top down to Wye village.
We dropped over the edge down a steep slope - steps to one side.
At the bottom of the slope we turned along a path through new crops (winter
wheat) past Silks farm.
Up on the slope of the Wye down we could make out the crown cut into the chalk
by students of the agricultural college.
As the sun set over the horizon we entered the village.
The party split here - those with a car nearby set off home, I went for the
train that would arrive in 20 mins - too short for a stop in the pub, and the
rest went for a drink and catch the next London train.
As it turned out the
pub was not serving food so I had made a good decision.
Back in Canterbury
I reversed the morning walk back to the campsite, although this time I had
evening crowds to fight to get through the city centre. I made good time after
that and was soon resting in the van.
The walk, and also the complete day's journey outlined.
