**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:

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):

**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:

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:

Meet 8.30am, junction of Nunnery Fields and South Canterbury Road
Nunnery Road, Zealand Road and Lime Kiln Road
Then over the fields to Hollow Lane and up footpath to New House Lane
New House Lane until footpath at New House Farm, to Rabbit Wood
Over the Chartham Downs road, and behind Kenfield Hall to Petham
Footpath to Stone Street, over Stone Street to Bow Hill and Upper Hardres Court
Then Westwood Farm, Reed’s Mill and Farm, footpath to Bishopsbourne
Down Frog Lane and up to Highland Court Farm and Pedlars cafe
Lunch or tea at Pedlars, walk back on North Downs Way through Patrixbourne and home. Alternatively, regular buses from Bridge.
Pedlars is a new cafe for the Striders but it comes well recommended.
Total walk length about 16 miles. Likely time home around 2-3pm.
Last week’s solo walk from Birchington to Whitstable by Nick:

Due to three different holidays and two different infirmities only one Strider was available to carry on our happy Thursday tradition. Thank you Nick.

Last week’s Canterbury to Sandwich walk:

Meet outside 25 St Augustine’s Road 8:30

NDW to Patrixbourne/Shepherd’s Close Road/FPs to Adisham/Bossington/Neavy Downs/Gibson’s Farmshop (lunch [BREAKFAST] stop).

Afternoon take Goodnestone Road/Twitham Hill/Crixhall Court/Buckland Lane/Summerfield Farm/Black Pond Farm/Beacon Hill/Marshborough – Vine Farm/Great Poulder’s Farm/Sandwich

Distance 14 miles

There is always the possibility of refreshment in the Red Cow, Sandwich at the end of the walk

Buses from Sandwich to Canterbury:

Bus 43 (around 40 mins)

13:41 14:01 14:21 14:41 15:01 15:21 15:30 16:06

Last week’s Miners Way 2 Walk:

Please bring a packed lunch for this walk

Meet at Canterbury Bus Station to catch No 43 (Sandwich) Bus at 8:36 Bay D3 – Cost £3:90

On arrival at Ash we take the path to Wingham then, Goodnestone; Aylesham; Nonnington; Barfrestone and then Sibertswold where we catch the train back to Canterbury East:
Trains from Sibertswold to Canterbury East:
14:28; 15:28; 15:57; 16:29; 17:05 Cost £3:70 with Railcard.

From last week’s The Miners’ Way – 1 of 2

Meet Canterbury East Station to catch 08:33 train to arrive at Sibertswold (aka Shepherdswell) at 8:50 (£5.60).

Please bring a packed lunch for this walk.

Route: Elvington, Tilmanstone, Betteshanger, Eastry, Hammil, finishing at Ash where we catch the bus back to Canterbury:
Bus 43 (28 mins journey time) 13:53; 14:13; 14:33; 14:53; 15:13;15:33; 15:58
About 14 miles

Last week’s Gunpowder Plot Walk:

***PACKED LUNCH*** to be eaten en route
This week’s new walk created and led by Huw.
Meet at Canterbury East Station to catch 09:09 train to Faversham. Return ticket with Railcard is £3.95 (note we shall return from Selling but the return from Faversham will cover this).

Walk from Faversham station to the Gunpowder park. This is 3km.
We can spend some time wandering around it as it is a fascinating bit of industrial archaeology.
Then we walk up to Cherry Tree Drive which is where we join the Swales Heritage trail.
Quite soon after we turn off the trail left at Deerton Street and go straight to Lewson St crossing the A2.
Then a mixture of yellow road and footpath passing The Trefoil and going near Rushett to join the yellow road just by Stuppington Farm.
Passing under the M2 along Elverland lane then left on a footpath to Scott’s Farm.
Right on to a footpath through Painter’s Forstal and footpath to Badgin’s Wood, then yellow road and a bit of the A251 to Sheldwich.
Take the footpath by the church to Hogben’s Hill, then yellow road past Selling church and then right on to a footpath to the station.
Estimated distance 15 miles.
Afternoon tea at Sondes café before we return on the train from Selling station.
Trains from Selling Station at 14:31; 14:56; 15:31; 16:02; 16:34 (Journey time less than 10 mins).

Last week’s Selling to Wye walk.