Walk Report

A View of the Medway, Saturday 6th March 2010
21 walkers, 19 miles - leader Jerome Ripp
21 of us gathered at Sole Street for what turned out to be the first walk of spring, lovely sunshine and despite the keen north east wind, a couple of brave souls walked in shorts. Quite an international entourage with India, Sweden, France and Scotland all being represented in the group. North west on the Wealdway and into the large newly created nature reserve of Jeskyns with its many carved wooden statues. A week of sun and wind had done an amazing job on the ground and the expected mud was only infrequently met, as Dave W would say. A circuit round Shorne Woods passing close to the Hand and some views over the Thames estuary. After a break at Shorne Ridgeway we followed the Darnley Trail through Cobham Park, passing the Mausoleum, and although we were only a short distance from the lunch stop, the leader made lots of loops. This gave the opportunity for some fine views over the Medway from the open country above Cuxton. The White Hart has been renovated but unfortunately they forgot to renovate the customer service. The picnic group also had some entertainment as we found ourselves in the middle of a wedding party in the churchyard. A shorter and more direct afternoon south along the North Downs through woodland and then Wealdway north on the lovely valley to the picture postcard Luddesdown Church. An easy day, in fact a doddle as one member would say, just under 19 miles and for once with this leader we did not have to run to catch the train.

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