14 miles walked today
581 miles walked in total
(average 12.36)
I left Sam’s in Epsom at quarter to eight this
morning and was walking at nine fifteen.
The path almost immediately went uphill past the docks and I was soon
standing on top of Shakespeare Cliff trying to get my breath back after the
climb. The Channel Tunnel cuts through
Shakespeare Cliff and the spoil that was excavated has been made into the Samphire Hoe Country
Park. At nine thirty, there were already a lot of
cars parked there.
I’ve been following the North Downs Way and Saxon Shore Way as they merge to become
one path for a little while. As I headed
back into civilisation after a couple of hours, the path became the Warren
Rocks and Fossil Trail.
There have been lots of people out today – it’s
been glorious – sunny and blue skies. I
started off walking in my fleece, but soon stripped off a layer to my tee
shirt.
Just past Abbot’s Cliff is the Battle
of Britain
Memorial opened by the Queen Mum on 9 July 1993. It depicts an airman sitting and looking out
to sea. He was curiously peaceful and I
found it very calming to sit beside him and watch the boats for a while. I heard other people saying how tranquil they
found the area to be and how relaxed they felt by looking at the statue.
Just past the memorial, the path fell into the
sea! So I was back on roads for a little
while into Folkestone town centre. Mum
and I used to come into Folkestone when I lived in Hastings.
She’d come down for a weekend – usually minus Dad – and we’d head into
Folkestone on a Sunday near Christmas time to visit the huge market and buy our
pressies. The market is still held every
Sunday. I had a quick look around the
town, but the little old alleys are quite sad, with lots of empty shop
fronts. I had lunch at the Victorian Tea
Rooms, which was like stepping back in time.
The waitresses all had mob caps and pinnies on and very sensible shoes!
The path followed the Leas – Folkestone’s prom –
down into Sandgate, a pretty little town with lots of antique shops and some
very well to do houses and front lawns!
Just past here, before Hythe, are a few streets called Seabrook. Why do people visit the seaside, only to view
the sea from behind a windscreen?
Unbelieveable! Especially as it
was still lovely – I hadn’t yet put my fleece back on, although the sun was
coming down at an alarming rate since the clocks went back last weekend.
From Seabrook, I followed the prom into Hythe
until I ran out of path and had to walk into the town centre. I was very impressed – Hythe is very olde
worlde and a huge bonfire was being built on the green for the fireworks
display later today.
I picked up my car from Dover and drove to the Rose and Crown in Elham, the same B&B that Vicky and I stayed at the last time we were here. Two other lady walkers were in the room next door – they had no car, but were carrying everything on their backs – poor things! They were due to arrive at the pub at 2.30 pm, but didn’t arrive for another three hours. That’s seriously bad navigational skills!
