Meet 8.00 am at St. Martin’s Church

Stour Valley Way towards Fordwich but taking footpath (forking right – off bike route) scary bit after Fordwich for 200 yds (alternative is to walk along Spring Lane and take connecting footpath) 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 but take footpath on left before reaching Hoath Farm and cross Bekesbourne Road to path on other side which leads home via Little Barton House. 6 miles.

Last week’s Around The Woods Walk:

Meet for the weekly two hour stroll at the main entrance to the Westgate Gardens at 8:30am.

The forecast is for light rain and a gentle breeze.

No route planned but the walk will take two hours followed by coffee at a city centre cafe.

The attached pic is of the Magnolia in the Westgate Gardens near the starting point for the midweek walkers.

Meet @ 8:00 am outside the hospital – junction of South Canterbury Road with Ethelbert Road

Walk to Rugby Club then, via Nackington to Bridge Road and into Whitehill Wood: turn left at the cross paths heading towards Bridge.  We continue straight ahead at the next cross paths then, at the path T junction, we turn right along the bridal path, keeping to the side of the woods until we come onto Pett Bottom Road at Little Eaton Farm.  Walking towards the Duck we turn right (Tapleys Hill) and, later, right again (School Lane), proceeding uphill we turn into the woods again at the footpath sign but, as we approach the path, leading to Pett Bottom Road, we turn left towards the centre of the wood and continue straight on; later crossing Bridge Road and back through Nackington, the Rugby Club, turning left at the Langton Path towards Stuppington Lane.  The walk concludes at the junction with South Canterbury Road.

Last week’s Nick’s Walk:

Happy Birthday Bert

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

Meet 8.30am, Launderette, Nunnery Fields

Proceed via the Canterbury East station to Toddlers Cove, then to the recreation ground to pick up the North Downs Way at the London Road roundabout. We follow the NDW to Old Wives Leas and then cut down past Bowerland Farm, crossing the A28 into Pickelden Lane, and take the path through Shalmsford Steet and onto the river back to Canterbury.

The walk is about 13 miles. A shorter option is possible by taking a bus or train from Shalmsford St or Chartham. Bring a picnic or snack.

Last week’s walk between Waltham and Ealham:

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

Sunny intervals with a moderate breeze is the forecast for Wednesday. No rain expected so it makes it a perfect morning for a walk.

The route will be decided on the day.

The pic taken on the walk last week is of Abdi and Steve in the Harbledown orchards.

Happy Birthday Les

Many Happy Returns of the day Les from all your friends in the Silver Striders

Meet by the Launderette opposite  St Mary Bredin Church at 8:00am

Toddler’s cove via Lansdown Road

SVW to near Tonford Manor; at the bridge to Thanington turn right (not left) onto the footpath, walk past Tonford Manor, under the A2 then:

Turn left on footpath into Lower Harbledown, through St Nicholas’s Hospital into Harbledown and left at the Church then over the road bridge and through the meadow to the top – towards Blean water tower and right on the footpath to St Dunstan’s back over the railway bridge and then home via Toddler’s Cove and under the ring road bridge by the river or through Westgate Gardens and Greyfriars.  6 miles.

Last week’s Reverse The Les Walk:

Meet at Canterbury Bus Station  to catch 8.23 Bus 620 (C5) to Waltham Village Hall arriving at 8.59am (cost £3).

The route takes us to Hastingleigh via Grandacre Farm, then bridleway to Whatsole Street and on to Homelands farm, Lymbridge Green, then south to the Highfields Farm, then East across Stone Street, through West Woods to Rhodes Minnis and onwards due east joining the footpath through Tye Wood, then Elham.  This route was worked out by Peter.

Packed lunch recommended or the Cosy Cafe, which may have new management:

https://thecosytearoomsofelham.wordpress.com/about-panel/ or Pub.

Number 17 bust back at 12.50 or 13.50. Length about 10miles of lovely countryside.

Last week’s walk to Wye: