Walk Report

Isle of Grain - Almost Circular, Sunday 18th November 2012
23 walkers, 19 miles - leader Godfrey O'Callaghan
22 London group, 1 Kent group and a dog completed the 19-mile walk (19 mls. 500 yds. to be exact according to a Google Earth Fly-Over emailed by Nicole). The group enjoyed exceptionally good weather with barely a hint of a breeze - in fact the early sheltered miles along the Medway had people reducing their layers. The water - of which there was plenty - was often a mirror-like calm.
At lunch, those attracted to the local hostelry were well looked after. Sandwich eaters sat in Cooling churchyard - and cool it was despite the sunshine - and were later joined by the imbibers for a brief reflection on Pip's first encounter with Magwich. A few meters down the road we almost joined a wedding party - having been mistaken for the bride's family - who were lined up for photos with a backdrop of the impressive Cooling Castle gateway.
The pace was good as headed between lakes, waterways and along the banks of a Thames swollen by the incoming tide, into a setting sun that slowly settled into a colourful sunset. A contented group arrived at Higham Station at twilight after a satisfying day out.

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