As I always do when I’m leading a walk, I arrived early at the station (St Pancras) ready to meet my fellow walkers. For a long time I was the only Poly Rambler there as far as I could see and I feared my ‘big beautiful’ walk along the Kent coast may not be as appealing to others as it was to me. However, my fears proved unfounded as a flurry of walkers arrived before the high speed train departed and by the time we assembled at the other end outside Dover Priory station we were a very respectable group of 16 walkers.
It took us a while to get going as the train had been full and there was a very long queue for the ladies. But thanks to the generosity of a publican across the road, allowing us to use his toilets, we managed to ensure we were comfortable before we set out. Continue reading Dover to Deal walk – 16 August 2025 →

Nineteen, well initially seventeen ramblers, set off from Hildenborough to visit the kissing gate the club had donated with a now added inscribed plaque to former members of the Club. One member missed her train, so the leader remained at the station for the next train. The two of us eventually caught up with the main
group walking through open, tree lined, fields before they had reached the pleasant village of Leigh, ably led by Chris.
In the knowledge that a planned visit, later in the walk, to a pub was no longer an option, we headed to the Fleur de Lis pub in Leigh for early refreshment.

Refreshed we headed out to the watery surrounds of Haysden Country Park and the Medway River for picnicking, blackberry picking and baby fish feeding (unwanted Danish pastry)!
We then passed through part of the Eden Valley Walk, leafy lanes and footpaths lined by hedgerows (and blackberries!) back to Hildenborough station. With a wait of nearly an hour for a train a café at a nearby golf club came to our thirsty salvation.

Kim. Photos by Kim, Joyanna, Pam, Gillian