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!
