North downs Way, Hollingbourne
Once we had left rather foggy London we were in bright sunshine for the rest of the day, yet the air was pleasantly cool. The views were clear, beautiful and many and, although it was a shortish walk we got plenty of exercise going up and down along the ridge. Andy had to leave us at lunchtime, but the remaining five of us returned to the station through fields. Not without hindrance, however: at one point a land owner had put up a notice saying that the path had been diverted 200 yds further south. When we got to that point there was a yellow arrow pointing diagonally across about three paddocks containing horses and each surrounded by wire fences that might have been electric. At this point the party split into two groups trying out different ways of surmounting this obstacle. I ploughed diagonally (north-east) across the paddocks with Sophie, ducking under the wires. At the far side we saw another yellow arrow and knew that we were OK; but in effect we had had to do a zig-zag that wasted at least 45 minutes. Looking at the map I know how we can avoid it altogether in future, and have made a note (although it means a bit of extra road walking). Very soon after the zigzag we came to an extended bit where our path had been ploughed up by a farmer, so we just had to cross that; I dread to think what it would be like in the wet, or when there are crops growing there.
The perfect weather and stunning views made up for everything!
Train from Victoria, leaves 9.25
Return from Hollingbourne Station, hourly train
4 miles of North Downs Way to Thurnham, back across fields to Hollingbourne
The Black Horse Inn, Thurnham
Here is the walk for Friday 5th October. As discussed at the AGM the next section of the North Downs Way is 15 miles so I have found for you a circular walk in Christopher Somerville’s “Walks in the Country Near London”. It is a little further into Kent than we have done, and only 8 miles but it looks like a good walk. I will be in France, so cannot volunteer to lead it.
In my copy of the book it is Walk 14: Hollingbouorne, The North Downs Way and Thurnham and there is a good description. If you do not have the book, and would like the walk details I can email you photos of the relevant pages.
Apologies for the pre 9.30 watershed, there are only hourly trains to Hollingbourne. I am sure you can all do something clever with your Freedom passes!
The clocks go back at the end of October so I think we will do London based walks on Fridays while the days are short, and return to the North Downs way in the spring.