Meet 8.30am outside 25 St Augustine’s Road

The walk is about 11 miles, so bring a packed lunch or snack. We will take the train back to Canterbury East from Shepherdswell. A shorter version is possible by taking the train back from Adisham.

Take the NDW to Patrixbourne, left at Woodlands to Adisham, skirting Aylesham to Nonington. Walk through Fredville Park to Barfreston and Sibertswold. Trains from Shepherdswell station at 12.28, 13.28, 14.28 to Canterbury East (18 minutes).

Last week’s walk to Elham

Meet outside the hospital (junction of South Canterbury Road with Ethelbert Road) @ 8:30 am

The Elham Valley Way (this is slightly longer than the more direct route via Pett Bottom)
Canterbury to Elham (via Bridge/Bishopsbourne/Kingston/Covert Wood/Bladbean/Elham.  Packed lunch – stops en route.  There is an 11:50 bus back to Canterbury but we’re unlikely to make it, the route being longer than the quick route so, we can take a more relaxed approach this week aiming to catch the 12:50pm bus.

11 miles

No 17 Bus from Elham to Canterbury

12:50
13:50
14:50

Last week’s Canterbury to Temple Ewell Walk:

Gather at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am for a two hour walk followed by coffee.

The intention is to walk on Barton Down to see the grand display of bluebells. The area can become extremely muddy and the walk may need to be modified if there is any further heavy rain before Wednesday.

The pic taken on the walk last week is of us lads on the new bridge that crosses the Whitehall Dyke at Harbledown, a familiar place for Striders who walk the North Downs Way.

Meet corner of Nunnery Fields/Nunnery Road @ 8am

Nunnery Road/Zealand Road/Lime Kiln Road/Fields to Hollow Lane/Footpath to New House Lane/Connecting footpath to Iffin Lane/Footpath to Bridge Road/Footpath to Lower Hardes Church then along the lane for the path through Whitehill Wood back via Bridge Road and Nackington, via Rugby Club, to the Hospital. (6 miles).

Last week’s The Don’s Walk:

Temple Ewell via Broome Park

Meet at 8.30am, K&C, South Canterbury Rd entrance. The walk is 15 miles with regular buses from Temple Ewell.

Bring a packed lunch or snack. We will have an elevenses break at Broome Park, which has a cafe. If you want a shorter walk (about 10 miles) there are regular buses from Broome Park.

Past the rugby ground to Nackington, Whitehill Woods, Middle Pett Farm, Hint Cottage. Elham Valley way to Bishopsbourne, Kingston, Heart’s Delight, Barham. Over the Broome Park golf course to the main entrance. Past Lyddon Circuit, Birches Farm, Stanton Farm to Ewell Minnis. Through the Minnis to Temple Ewell.

There are regular buses back from Temple Ewell.

Last week’s walk to Badlesmere

Meet at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am. Coffee will be taken at 10:30am in a city centre cafe.

The weather forecast is for possible light rain showers and a moderate breeze.

Our walk will include the orchards in Harbledown near Golden Hill, the trees are just coming into their full spring bloom.

Pic from last week is of Les staring down into the murky depths of the Sarre Penn. Photo taken from the cycle path bridge.

Meet 8.00 am at St. Martin’s Church

Stour Valley Way to Fordwich (forking right – off bike route) scary bit after Fordwich for 200 yds then turn right up hill to Stodmarsh Road via CCCU playing field. Across Stodmarsh Rd, footpath straight on then veer right into field and down to Lampen Stream. Turn right along bottom of field following stream for 400 yards, then turn left across stream and up the hill to old waste dump, right onto Swanton Lane, then straight across and down past Firdown Wood. Before the bare field at near Palmstead wood turn right and proceed towards the Hoath Farm (the last bit is along Bekesborne Road, thus exercise care), then right and left and thus to Hoath Farm, home via Little Barton House. 6 miles.

Last week’s Around The Woods Walk:

Happy Birthday Bert

from June 2019

Many Happy Returns Bert from all your friends in the Silver Striders

Meet at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am for a two hour walk followed by coffee at a city centre cafe.