Swale Saxon Shore Walk – Thursday – 31 October, 2019

**Packed Lunch**

Meet at Canterbury East Station to catch 9:09 train to Sittingbourne – return ticket £6.20 with railcard.

From Sittingbourne Station we head East and then South into and through the industrial estate following the footpath, ending up on the Saxon Shore Way which follows the Swale to Conyer, continuing East until we turn South into Oare Creak. On reaching Oare village we take road and footpath into Faversham. We could take refreshment at Wetherspoons (or somewhere else) before taking the train or bus back to Canterbury.

Estimated at 12 miles.

Last week’s Royal Victoria Pavilion between Birchington and Ramsgate:

The Royal Victoria Pavilion Walk – Thursday, 24 October, 2019

Meet 8:30 am at Canterbury Bus Station (Bay C2) for Bus 8 towards Westwood Cross, which the Striders will disembark at Birchington (bus departs Canterbury 8:40am).

Walk leaders Barry and Nick will then guide the Silver Striders, along a 380m ascent, to the Royal Victoria Pavilion, Ramsgate where the walk concludes. About 12 miles.

https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/kent/the-royal-victoria-pavilion-ramsgate

Bus Route 9 at 13:20 or 14:20 seems the best bet however, the journey back is shown as 65 mins.

Last week’s walk to Elham (John Millais contemplates his next Pre-Raphaelite masterpiece):

 

Thursday – 17 October, 2019 @ 8:30 Canterbury to Elham (Huw’s Way)

**Packed Lunch**
This one starts at 8:30am outside 25 St Augustine’s Road and takes the Francigena to Patrixbourne. Then to Bridge via Bifrons Park.
Then there is a path crossing the Nailbourne to Crows Camp Hill just above Bishopsbourne.
We take a footpath from here and then a sharp left into Charlton Wood and then on to Heart’s delight via Marley.
We now follow the Elham Valley Way into Covert Wood, but on leaving the wood we go on the road to Bladbean Farm, and then on road and paths to Upper park gate Farm. From there we descend by road and path into Elham and, maybe, for Tea/Coffee/Beer before taking the bus back to Canterbury. About 11 miles.

**At some point, close to midday, we can hopefully find somewhere welcoming (a patch of turf or some logs) to eat our lunch**

Buses to Canterbury at 12:42 or 13:42 – journey time 33 mins

Last week’s Canterbury to Dover walk:

Thursday, 10 October, 2019 – Canterbury to Dover (Packed Lunch)

Meet outside 25 St Augustine’s Road 8:30

Packed lunch to be eaten en route. There are some possible stops for refreshment en route – to be decided on the day.

Proceed on NDW as far as Patrixbourne then yellow roads and footpaths to Womenswold rejoining NDW and proceeding to Sibertswold. We continue to Coldred on NDW but then leave it in favour of yellow roads to Whitfield, where we weave through footpath and streets to get over to the footpath running by the side of the A2 and later crossing A256. We then rejoin NDW, to and through the necropolis and into Dover and then to Dover Priory station.

Estimated distance 17 miles

Trains from Dover Priory to Canterbury East, cost £5.75 with railcard:
14:18; 14:52; 15:18; 15:48; 16:20; 16:55

Last week’s walk – Nick’s Loop: