Despite an unpromising weather forecast, 14 of us made our various ways to Plumpton to start the walk. The South Downs were completely hidden in a thick mist but I knew that there was a fence at the top so I was prepared to cling to it if we could see absolutely nothing and were in some danger of either falling off or getting lost in the greyness.
After a mile or so of flat walking through meadows and light woodland we arrived at the start of our ascent but made a democratic decision to stop at the pub before we went up. The pub advertised ice cream for dogs which always makes me wonder what the ingredients are but no one seems to know. Well, it seems to contain a lot of unpronounceable chemicals plus milk, turmeric, sweet potato, collagen, various vitamins, oat bran and oddly, vanilla flavouring. Probably quite nice!
We made our way up the lovely chalk path to join the South Downs Way for a few miles and despite a very brisk cold wind the mist started to clear. We had to go down a potentially unpleasantly steep and slippery chalk path but, impressively, no one fell over and we arrived in Ditchling where we had sandwiches in the churchyard and hit the cafes.
After lunch up we went again, back onto the Downs. The sun almost came out and the weather improved so we enjoyed beautiful views over Sussex. Then a slightly gentler and more sheltered descent to Hassocks where some went for the train and some had a second pint or half pint, or cider or lime juice or whatever at the Jack & Jill pub before the final 20 minute walk to the station.
Thirteen Polyramblers met at Amersham Station to catch the rail replacement bus to Wendover (the Chiltern Line was not running due to planned engineering work). We made our way through the village and it was very tempting to stop at various stalls selling cakes, exotic hot food, plants etc. but we did not cave in.
We joined the lovely Heron path and were able to appreciate the scenery, wild flowers and trees instead of watching our feet.
We stopped for lunch at the village called The Lee, here the village green was very busy with groups of young people who were doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award. It is the first time I was able to enjoy my packed lunch whilst watching the Morris Dancing.
We arrived at Chesham in good time, so several of us took the opportunity to have tea and cake before heading to the station to catch the tube back home. We even managed to miss the football supporters as it was FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium!
When I arrived at Cannon Street Station I found just one other Poly Rambler waiting to board the train for my walk. However, by the time we reached Faversham there were twenty of us with another one joining enroute!
In bright sunshine, we set off through the town, passing a busy market by the Guildhall where we were lucky not to lose some of our number to its attractions. We continued past the Shepherd Neame Brewery to the Creek where we joined the Saxon Shore Way for a pleasant stroll alongside moored boats on one side and salt marshes on the other. The views were extensive with the Isle Of Sheppey to the north and the distinctive spire of Faversham’s parish church to the south.
After an hour’s easy walking, we reached our lunch stop at the Shipwright Arms pub. Food had been pre-ordered and it arrived speedily as we sat in the large garden enjoying the good weather. Setting off again, we followed Oare Creek back towards Faversham. A circuitous route through a trading estate was traversed and then a narrow overgrown footpath before we reached the handsome buildings of West Street which took us back to the Guildhall. Half of our number then headed for the station while the rest of us enjoyed excellent cakes at a cafe as the market packed up. And that was that for an enjoyable day!
Eighteen Poly Ramblers met at Ockley Railway Station and very soon found our footpath for this lovely walk through a quiet corner of Surrey featuring woods and gentle hills. We were favoured by a sunny day and no rain and although the paths were dry, they
were still quite rutted being bridleways and well churned during muddier times. There were also several stiles, some quite precarious. After about 3.5 miles we emerged through the trees at the 13th century Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Okewood
and went inside to admire the wall paintings and an unusual arrangement of roof beams. A short while after we reached the village of Walliswood where we stopped for lunch either picnicking on the village green or in the garden of The Scarlett Arms pub. Later in the afternoon we reached Warnham in good time to stop at The Sussex Oak pub for a drink before heading to the station to catch the train home.
We got off our train at the tiny station of Wrabness and began our walk along the Essex Way to Manningtree. There were nine of us in total. The terrain was flat and we could see long distances. I always love the wide open skies and the grand vista of the Stour estuary. This is a country that the artists Gainsborough and Constable must also have loved back in the 18th Century. The sky today however is overcast and grey and there is a chilly breeze. Good weather for a brisk pace!
After a few minutes walking towards the estuary we came to Grayson Perry’s famous ‘A house for Essex’ which can be rented as a holiday home. It is adorned with ceramic work and really does look quite unique. Then after admiring it we walked westwards along a narrow path next to the estuary which was at full tide. There were fields to our left with bright yellow flowers. In the far distance behind us were the cranes of Felixstowe Port and across the wide bay ahead of we could see the tall tower of the Royal Hospital School.
After some time we emerged from the fields next to a caravan site and headed inland for a while because this section of the estuary path has become dangerous due to erosion. We visited the medieval ‘All Saints Wrabness’ church and I was surprised to see a busy village fete in full swing. Refreshed by cake we crossed the only stile on this walk and headed back to the river along a wooded trail. We passed through the Wrabness nature reserve and then headed out along the exposed estuary to an abandoned horse box where we had a water break. On the skyline looking south, inland, we can see the distant church tower of the village of Bradfield which is our lunch stop. It was sunny and hot by now and many of us had removed an outer layer.
We climbed up to the village passing through a field of tall plants with yellow flowers and through a railway tunnel. We were in a large ploughed field and I held up an example of some large root vegetable we didn’t recognise. See photo! Definitely not swede we decided. Later, opinion settles on ‘Manglewurzle’ although not everyone agrees. We arrived in Bradfield with it’s much repaired church which is left open for visitors and has a toilet! Very civilised. The local pub was, sadly, no longer open. Most of us had our picnic lunch in the sunny grounds of the village hall.
After enjoying lunch we set off, heading towards Mistley via Mill lane. We passed over what was once a heath but is now farmland. The earth was very hard, dry and pale. Over to our right we saw the estuary shining in the distance.
After about a half an hour passing through large fields we reached a new housing development and then we entered a large wood containing some impressive old oaks and banks of bluebells. Mistley announced itself with its tall chimney and large grain silos as we left the wood. It is a rather charming old industrial area next to the river. Here we broke for a drink in the Mistley Thorn – a popular gastro pub. Although most of us went for tea or coffee in the small tea shop across the road. Nearby there was a disturbing sign about the activities of ‘The Witchfinder General’ who was responsible for nearly 90 deaths back in the 17th C in Essex. Leaving Mistley behind we walked along the wide river bank passing an old church and saw distant white swans feeding in the mud flats. Manningtree is not far away and my guide book says the town is rumoured to be the smallest in England!
Whether the smallest or not the centre of the old town is charming. We climbed a dyke and walked along a path on the top of it which snaked along by the river until we left the town. The last (two mile) section of the walk was before us. We walked in single file along a path with sheep and spring lambs bleating noisily to the left of us in alarm and tall phragmite reeds and the river to our right. The air is also filled with the sound of oyster catchers and other birds. It’s a lovely section of the walk and a delight after leaving the busy town behind us. Eventually we loop back past fields with more sheep and arrive at Manningtree station just in time to catch a fast train back to Liverpool Street. I think everyone enjoyed the day, at least I hope so!
Chris
Photos by Jackie McCartan, Jackie Copeland, Jane and Chris
The Polytechnic Rambling Club – Walking with friends
