Thursday, 9 January, 2025 – Canterbury Northern Circle

Lunch stop – packed lunch and something to drink advised

Meet outside The Launderette (opposite St. Mary Bredin Church) at 8:30 am

Walk to Toddler’s Cove then up to Orchard Street, along St. Dunstan’s Terrace, crossing London Road, later taking the footpath beside the Cemetery and parallel to Whitstable Road – towards Rough Common but take the turning by Kent College and then cross the Whitstable Road.
We then take the footpath to Walnut Tree Farm and then into Clowes Wood and through to Radfall, moving along to bypass Chestfield Golf Club and crossing Thornton Wood Road at Sheepfold as we move into West Blean Nature Reserve, making for The Radfall path, thence Hackington and Alcoft Grange. With Canterbury Cathedral as our notional ending place we weave our way through Hales Place, St. Stephen’s and then pavement footpath to the Cathedral.

Approx. 12 miles.

Last week’s Ash via Goodnestone Walk:

Wednesday Walk – 8 January, 2025

The first Wednesday Walk of 2025 will start from the Westgate Gardens main entrance at 8:30am.

A bright sunny forecast for the duration of the walk although rain is possible later in the day. The direction of the two hour walk and where we take coffee will be decided on the day.
 
Attached pic was taken last January and is of the lads before the start of the walk:
 

SSS371 – Tuesday, 7 January, 2025 – Reverse Nick’s Walk

Meet outside the Launderette (opposite St. Mary Bredin Church) @ 8:00am

Toddler’s cove via Lansdown Road

Cross Toddler’s Cove, walk under the ring road bridge and then over the railway bridge, across to St. Dunstan’s Terrace, over London Road ending up on the footpath towards Rough Common.  When we are near the Blean water tower we turn left and walk down towards the Harbledown Bridge – crossing into Harbledown and walking through the grounds of St Nicholas’s Hospital.  We then take the footpath under the A2 bridge and work our way down to the Chartham Cycle path, by the Thannington footbridge over the Stour, turn left and back to Toddler’s Cover then under the ring road, towards the East Station and Lansdown Road where the walk concludes. 6 miles

Last week’s The 53rd Tuesday Walk:

Thursday 2 January 2025 – Ash via Goodnestone

Meet 8.30am at K&C Hospital, South Canterbury Road entrance.

The walk is around 13 miles. Bring a packed lunch, although there is also a cafe and pub at Ash if preferred. Regular buses back to Canterbury.

Shorter versions are possible by walking back from Patrixbourne on the NDW or by taking the yellow road from Adisham to Bramling and getting the bus there.

Through the hospital, up to the rugby ground, Nackington, Whitehill woods, Middle Pett Farm, Bridge. Bifrons Park, Adisham, Goodnestone, Claypits, Staple, Ash.

Last week’s Boxing Day amble:

Wednesday Walk – 25 December, 2024

Wednesday adventures will start up again on the 8th January 2025.
It was a very enjoyable get together at the Foundry last week, it’s becoming a Striders seasonal tradition.
All the very best for Christmas and the New Year to you and your families.
Look forward to seeing you in 2025.
Barry

SSS369 – Tuesday 24 December, 2024 – The Les Walk (The Hole in the Polo)

Meet at 8:00 am by the St. Augustine’s Triangle (start of the Footpath to the north of St. Augustine’s Road, which goes behind the houses with the UCA buildings on the other side).

The walk proceeds along the footpath, up Babbs Hill, by the side of the Barracks Estate leading to Old Park Farm open land.  It continues through the golf course (Scotland Hills), crossing Stodmarsh Road the Polo Farm, across the A257 by Fishpoolhill Wood then across to the path by Palmstead Wood and then Bekesbourne Lane.  We walk along the road to the footpath by the side of Haystack Wood, then down to Hode Farm where we turn onto the NDW through Barton Business Park and onto number 67 St. Augustine’s Road, home of the creator of this fine walk.

Last week’s The Steve’s Walk:

Screenshot

Thursday, 19 December, 2024 The Fright Wood Circle (in reverse)

Packed lunch or snack suggested

Meet at the junction of Nunnery Road with Nunnery Fields at 8:30am

Zealand Road, Wincheap Farm, Hollow Lane, New House Lane, Strangers Lane then take the footpath on the left to Chartham. When we get to Chartham we take the footpath through the Church and join the road, later crossing the railway line, walking towards the Weir. We cross the bridge over the Weir and then the A28 Ashford Road, walking towards Fright Wood underneath the railway bridge. In Fright Wood we take the permissive paths to Hunstead Wood, then Primrose Hill and then follow the footpath to Podhurst Farm coming out at Bigbury Road – various footpaths back to Central Canterbury.

11 miles

Last week’s The Villages Walk: