Erith to Bexley – a rocky start when station staff at Abbey wood sent us to the wrong bus stop and we had to rush back and up some steep steps to catch our rail replacement bus to Erith. Our cardio for the day! Well done to the new group member who, not realising that we were meeting at Abbey wood, caught a local bus and spotted us at Erith.
It was a lovely walk, mostly alongside water, before lunch, with the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge often in view. First we had the Thames, then the Darent, and finally the Cray, with its field of reeds. Two hours in and The Pie and Mash cafe was popular for lunch, with some ‘characters’ I heard. Those of us visiting the Micro pub enjoyed our beer/cider/tea but were too early for a complimentary cheese board. Should’ve walked slower!
After lunch a bit of road walking was needed before we escaped into trees for the remainder of our journey towards Bexley. On arrival we passed an interesting old church (St Mary the virgin) with an unusual spire which starts off as a pyramid, but has an octagonal hat and a weather vane on top. Many walkers found Bexley town attractive with its historic houses and old mill, and tea shop near the station. We had a short wait for our train back into London.
Jackie. Photos by Jill
