The wind had died down overnight and the skies cleared. All the alternative
walks I had thought about vanished as the forecast showed the rain would hold
off until the afternoon. There was also a pamphlet in the site information room
showing a shorter version which I could incorporate as required.
That being
so I thought I could make use of the original plan watching the skies and the
clock, before deciding when to turn back. I also chose to leave as early as I
could once I was sorted and the trains complied, so I was off just after 8am.
It
was cold this morning as I walked back down to Canterbury, and through the
centre, out the west gate and across to the "west" train station. Essentially
the same route as last night with a bit on the end.
I was a little early and had to wait for the 9:06 train that got me to Wye for
9:21 - time to take a picture of the signal box on the bridge. That would give
me around 3 hours, before any projected rain.
Down through the village crossing the point where the return would enter the
village.
Just past the unicorn pub, I continued down a narrow lane that led out of the
village onto a path passing the local football pitches.
Working across the fields beyond in a curve, when the path was around the edge
of the fields it wasn't too bad, but across the ploughed ones were a little
muddy.
Cutting across a field of turnips - again muddy before reaching Brook village.
Then mercifully into a grass field where I could clean the extra weight off my
boots.
A bit of confusion around Brookwood farm before I found the right line - the
farmer had moved the path around his cow field.
Some more complex route finding through a farm to a back road. along this for a
short way before I could take one of the many routes up to the downs ridge
above.
The path crossed a grass field to the edge of the nature reserve, and then along
a sunken pathway climbing up steadily.
Finally crossing a large field to reach the North Downs Way, and the end of the
slope. Time to decide how much more of the original route to follow. In the end
I chose to divert along the north Downs Way back as I was around half way on my
imagined time limit. From here a "carbon capture" path began the journey along
the ridge.
The path ended at a farm, before following a farm track to continue along the
ridge. Then a second conservation path.
At the end of the nature reserve I nearly followed the wrong path down a bit then
soon realised that it was a mistake and continued along the ridge.
Looking down to the coast I could see the weather coming in and the cloud cover
was now complete.
Along the ridge to the top of the Devil's kneading trough
Looking down the Devil's kneading trough before circling around to the car park
and the back road.
Across the road and continuing along the ridge.
Another look south and showing the fields I had struggled across earlier.
Reaching the beacon and stone table - wye crown.
To the end of the ridge then down a rubberised track to a back road.
Another rubberised track led down through trees to the fields at the bottom of
the slope. Down the track beside the field to a farm track.
Over this and another field track led to the edge of the village.
Through the church yard and village green to return to the station.
I just
missed the train so retreated to the pub for lunch as the rain just started.
I caught the next train back to Canterbury and as I arrived the rain got
stronger and the wind was gaining in strength. The walk back up the hill was
fighting the driving rain and I was glad to get to the van and escape.
Statistics
|
Distance |
Elapsed |
Height |
| Pre walk |
3.4km |
0h 37m |
17m |
| Walk |
12.5km |
2h 45m |
229m |
| Post walk |
3.5km |
0h 46m |
63m |
