We wanted to avoid the traffic over most of Kent, as it has been so horrendous lately with Operation Stack. So we went to Leysdown-on-sea on the Isle of Sheppey – via a slight detour towards Maidstone to avoid a congested area on the M2. A hot, sunny Sunday made it perfect beach weather. We got fish and chips in the town and ate them on the beach before going for a stroll.
Leybourne Lakes is probably on this blog under a different name. We visit every now and then for a walk around the lake. Not bad after wet weather but there will be some bits of the path that get a little flooded.
A few weeks back now we drove to Forest Row for a Sunday walk along Forest Way. Nice wide path but far too many cyclists for our liking. There is no public toilet but there is a community centre with one – but it wasn’t open when we were there. There was a good cafe with a loo and a Tesco across the road.
A couple of weeks ago we wanted to go to West Norwood cemetery in South London. When we got there we realised it was a No Dogs cemetery. So instead we found a local park nearby – Brockwell. Nice park and great cafe. Yet the weather was rubbish and it started to rain and Matt tore a muscle running round with CC. Then it took twice as long to drive home through south London. So won’t be doing that again. Next time Greenwich Park will be fine.
This park is very popular with dog owners and families with small children. We read complaints re the number of dogs off lead and excess dog poo. There were more dogs off lead than we normally see but it wasn’t a problem for us. And re the poo – of course the minute we get out of the car Couscous does the sloppiest poo she has done in a long time so I made a real effort with newspaper and water to clean it all up. We went after lunch so perhaps would try a morning next time (less children??). Easy to walk around and lots of interesting paths. Birds, lake, cafe and all that. I liked it and Couscous got into the spirit of it after a few hellos from other walkers (very important for her).
We went to look at some fence posts that are at a side entrance to the church (a thirteenth century church believed to be the first one dedicated to St George in this country). To me they look as though they may have been used in a prehistoric stone circle at one time and moved into position. I didn’t go into the church although I usually do so may go back. We walked around the back of the village and round to the quaint high street.
Had a quick walk around this cemetery but as dogs were not allowed we’ll probably not go back. There has been an effort to clear the graves in this cemetery and in doing so it seems to have lost something of its atmosphere, although there are patches that remain. There are large grassy areas (great for dogs to run around on; there were a couple of other dogs on a walk while we were there). I don’t get why some cemeteries (like the one up the road from us) don’t allow dogs.
We went out four days in a row, to new and familiar places. Here are a couple of photos from the festive period, in which Couscous shows off her new (green) and older (pink) jackets.
New blanket for Christmas
Hadleigh Castle – a ruin that is easily accessed. There appears to be a few walks nearby the property which we hope to investigate another time.
Xmas Day Hadleigh Castle
Xmas Day Hadleigh Castle
Xmas Day Hadleigh Castle
Xmas Day Hadleigh Castle
Chartwell again on Boxing Day
Teston Bridge Country Park – There is a path along the river that goes into Maidstone which would be worth a try in warmer/better weather (the river was swollen when we went). There is a huge field of grass with picnic tables so good for families and you are allowed to BBQ (byo).
Teston Bridge lock (day after Boxing Day)
Medieval Teston Bridge (day after Boxing Day)
St Margaret's near Teston (day after Boxing Day)
Swalecliffe coastline (day after the day after Boxing Day)
We returned to the Island again this morning. We walked round to the left and Couscous chased the boats on the Medway River. The drawbridge was down so we went across to Chatham Docks and had a coffee. There are some new restaurants since we were last here (years ago we came to see a movie and the area depressed me so we never returned). It seems to have changed for the better.
Yesterday we went back to Haysden Country Park, only we missed the turn off and ended up parking by the other lake. This lake is actually Haysden Water while the main park is Barden Lake. Haysden had two problems – muddy and near the freeway so Couscous wanted to chase the cars and kept straining on her lead. So we walked a little way round and decided to go to the main park where it wasn’t muddy. Of course that is near a train line and Couscous wanted to chase the train, but by then she was tired so it wasn’t such a problem. Couscous had a lot of exercise on this trip.
