Enjoying the great outdoors!

With an improvement in the weather - it has been good to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

I visited the Isle of Grain yesterday for a stroll around a section of woodland in Grain Coastal Park.

Grain Coastal Park is a great place to visit with many different types of walk offered - walks to suit all preferences.

The nearest public toilet is in Lower Stoke (Grain Road).

Enjoy!
 

The Great Escape - a walk from High Halstow to Allhallows

With improved weather and a need to lose a few pounds (or more), I escaped the hustle and bustle of village life last weekend, to explore some of the great wilderness right here on the Hoo Peninsula.

With my Gravesend, Rochester and Hoo Peninsula map (Ordnance Survey 163) and some tasty spam sandwiches in hand, I set out on Saturday morning along footpath RS42, at the end of Longfield Avenue in High Halstow.

After zig-zagging through fields and a bluebell filled woodland I eventually joined up with Decoy Hill Road, where I headed north for Egypt Bay – on the signposted ‘Curlews, Convicts and Contraband’ walk.

Egypt Bay is at the end of Manor Way, along Halstow Marshes, and this quiet spot marked the completion of my first couple of miles – making it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat (a spam sandwich no less). Aside from imagining Abel Magwitch wading ashore from a dirty old prison hulk, made famous in the opening sequence of Great Expectations, Egypt Bay is a great place to observe shipping activity on the Thames and to glimpse over to the container port at London Gateway and neighbouring Canvey Island. The only interruption was a herd of curious cows (there must have been more than 50).

After the excitement of the cows, it was time to head east along the northern coastline, in the direction St. Mary’s Bay, St. Mary’s Marshes and Dagnam Saltings.

Although only a handful of miles from some of our local villages, the route along the Hoo Peninsula’s northern edge can feel extremely remote and distant. I met only four other walkers, a cyclist and a couple fishing the entire time I was out.

Four hours after setting off from High Halstow and having covered a distance of eight miles – I finally arrived in Allhallows, to the rear of The British Pilot pub. I didn’t have time though for a swift ale on this occasion.

It was great getting out to enjoy the fresh air and nice weather, and to spend some time appreciating our unique local landscape.

I hope to go for more long walks this summer, but maybe with fewer spam sandwiches next time!

  

Take a trip to Grain Coastal Park

If you’d like to experience our dramatic local landscape, you’re definitely spoilt for choice on the Hoo Peninsula.

The much improved Grain Coastal Park is a great place to begin and it’s perfect for appreciating some of the history and character of the Hoo Peninsula.

Enthusiastic volunteers have undertaken huge amounts of improvement work over the last couple of years, firstly as part of a Kent Wildlife Trust project and then in the form of the Friends of Grain Coastal Park volunteer group - set up specifically to promote and improve the park. The site is owned by the St. James Isle of Grain Parish Council.

I had a great time at Grain on Sunday afternoon, walking from one end of the park to the other, exploring many new and existing walks, paths and seating / viewing areas. The place is looking stunning and volunteers have done a remarkable job.

Take a look at the Friends of Grain Coastal Park website by clicking here. You’ll find details of organised walks planned for May, June and July - led by volunteer and local Parish Councillor Michael Dale.

Enjoy!

  

Our great outdoors is waiting for you!

I’m sure many of us don’t need an excuse to get out the house and enjoy our fantastic local landscape. I certainly don’t, as it’s long been one of my favourite pastimes.

But it’s really good to see that a North Kent Walking Festival has been organised, with walks and events taking place from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June.

Even more exciting is the fact that seven of the events listed on the guide, shown below, are being held right here on the Hoo Peninsula - all of which look fabulous fun! They include Grain Coastal Park, RSPB Northward Hill, Allhallows-on-Sea, Great Chattenden Wood, St. James’ Church at Cooling, RSPB Cliffe Pools and Cliffe Marshes.

I hope to see you at some of the walks and events planned, let's just hope the weather stays nice.

Time to enjoy our great outdoors!

  

Doing ‘The Windmill’ walk

We’re very lucky on the Hoo Peninsula to have so many good, and sometimes quite dramatic, walking routes. However, a popular walk for many people living in Hoo is what I call the ‘triangular walk’ around the village.

This includes Bells Lane, the old Ratcliffe Highway and Main Road. I’ve met a good many locals whilst out enjoying the fresh air and views.

Conveniently, The Windmill pub is on the old Ratcliffe Highway and marks the half way point of the walk.

Just along from the pub, in the direction of Chattenden, is the now rather dilapidated Mill House - believed to have been built in 1799 and, according to Philip Macdougall’s book about the Hoo Peninsula, the home for many years to the Ballard family, who were a local farming family.

I like this building a lot, and only wish that I could win the lottery to pay for its renovation, before it collapses!

Depending on how fast you walk, I’d say this walk takes about an hour to complete - that’s without stopping at The Windmill for a swift pint!

  

Join the new Saxon Shore Way Clean Up team!

Don’t panic, volunteers aren't being asked to ‘clean up’ the full length of the Saxon Shore Way, stretching as it does from Gravesend to Hastings - a mere 160 miles from start to finish!

However, following a number of local groups expressing an interest in setting up a new ‘shore-side’ Clean Up team, other residents are now being invited to come forward and get involved in these new regular litter picks along the stretch that runs between Upnor and Hoo.

If you’re keen to get involved, please get in touch by emailing me here, or contact the Village Voices team on 07919 693 095, or email here.

  

Let’s face it - they’re our Public Rights of Way!

Medway Council recently launched a useful Facebook page called ‘Medway Public Rights of Way’, to help promote local walking routes, and to highlight the excellent work done by many local people, and the local Council, to maintain our paths, bridleways and byways.

The site is very good and, being on the Hoo Peninsula, you’ll find many items of interest - with many parts of our rural area being highlighted in detail.

Well done to Medway Council and everyone responsible - a good job!

Take a look at the Facebook page by clicking here.

  

High Halstow Walkers - April Walk (Sunday 15 April 2012)

The next walk organised by the High Halstow Walkers is taking place this Sunday (15 April).

Starting out at 10am, the walk will begin at the Kings Arms at the top of the High Street in Upper Upnor. Parking is available at the car park on Upnor Road.

The walk is being led by Alan Wilson and will go from Upper Upnor to Lower Upnor, Cockham Fort, Hoo Marina and then back. The walk, which I’ve done a few times myself, covers about 6 miles and follows the route of the old Saxon Shore Way. You can expect good views of Chatham Dockyard, St. Mary’s Island, the shore way, the river Medway and lots of fascinating local history.

So, if you fancy some fresh air, exercise and good conversation, this walk is for you. 

Other walks taking place this year are listed below. The start time for each walk is usually 10am, but confirmation of this, and meeting points, will be posted on this website every month.

13 May - Cranbrook and Sissinghurst. 10 June - To be announced. 8 July - High Halstow to Egypt Bay.

If you’d like to find out more about the High Halstow Walkers, get in touch with Mitchell by phoning 01634 254428 or send him an email here.

  

Join the RSPB for a Guided Walk (Hoo’s Herons), Sunday 11 March 2012

One hundred pairs of grey herons, and another hundred little egrets, are nesting at the RSPB Northward Hill Nature Reserve.

They are the first to kick-off the spring at the heronry and this is the best time of year to observe them - before the trees go into leaf.

Join the RSPB for a guided walk to view the birds and learn more about how the team monitors the health of the wildlife, whilst considering the impact of climate change.

When the walk arrives at the heronry viewpoint, a nice hot cuppa will be available and staff and volunteers will talk more about heron life - even offering a few historic heron themed recitals too!

Photograph taken by Simon Ginnaw (RSPB).

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for the walk by getting in touch with the RSPB on 01634 222480 (between 9am and 5pm) or send an email here.

Booking is essential - tickets are £6 for adults and £5 for children. RSPB members receive a discount of £2. And if you decided to become a member of the RSPB on the day - you'll receive a full refund.

The walk will start at 10am (on Sunday 11 March) from the main car park at Bromhey Farm (RSPB Northward Hill Nature Reserve, Bromhey Farm, Lipwell Hill, Cooling, ME3 8DS). The walk is expected to take a couple of hours to complete.
  

High Halstow Walkers – February Walk

Details have now come through about forthcoming walks organised by the High Halstow Walkers right through from February to July.

The next walk is taking place on Sunday 12 February, and will start at 10am from Sutton Valence for a 5 mile wander through some classic Kent countryside to Ulcombe. The return journey in particular has lovely views from the Greensand Way. There is one modest slope and some of the paths are likely to be a bit muddy, so be sure to wear suitable clothing and footwear!

Sutton Valance can be reached by taking the A274 from Maidstone. Take a left turn at the start of the hill as you come into the High Street (where cars should be parked). If you are joining the walk, please gather near the old church in the centre of the village.

Other walks taking place in 2012 are listed below. The start time for each walk is 10am, but confirmation of this, and starting points, will be added to this website every month.

11 March - Brickhouse Farm (between St Mary Hoo and Allhallows) to River Thames and St Mary's Bay. 15 April - Upnor and the River Medway. 13 May - Cranbrook and Sissinghurst. 10 June - To be announced. 8 July - High Halstow to Egypt Bay.

If you’d like to find out more about the High Halstow Walkers, get in touch with Mitchell by phoning 01634 254428 or send him an email here.
 

High Halstow Walkers - January Walk

The next walk organised by the High Halstow Walkers is taking place this Sunday (8 January) around Trottiscliffe, which is a couple of miles from West Malling. The walk will be led by Alan Marshall, who has supplied the following information:

North Downs and Coldrum Barrow Walk

Meet at the Village Hall car park, School Lane, Trottiscliffe at 10am. From the village we will be walking up the Downs to Trosley Country Park (a bit of a climb, so we'll take our time!). Then we'll walk along the main path of the park, through ancient woodland. There are some spectacular views along the way looking south towards the Weald. We'll then make our descent and visit the very atmospheric Coldrum Barrow, a Neolithic burial site, and make our way across the fields back towards Trottiscliffe village, passing the ancient church on the way.

I would estimate the walk to be 5 miles or so in length. The Plough is a great pub to have a drink in afterwards, and the food is very good there too. Make sure you have some reasonably stout footwear, as inevitably some of the tracks are a bit on the muddy side at this time of year. If you're lost, running late, or want more details in advance, call me (Alan Marshall) on 07534 989438. Look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

The High Halstow Walkers organise monthly walks and details of all those planned for 2012 will follow soon. I’m told they will include Sutton Valence and Ulcombe, St Mary Hoo, Allhallows, Cranbrook, Sissinghurst, High Halstow and Egypt Bay.
 

New Year Walk around Higham Marshes

I picked a good walk to start the New Year this morning - all flat and not very long!

I started out from St. Mary’s Church, in the hamlet of Church Street and within the Parish of Higham and Merston, at the very western end of the Hoo Peninsula. Before setting off, I had a good look round this lovely old building - originally Norman, but remodelled and enlarged in the 14th century. One of two Churches on the Hoo Peninsula managed by The Churches Conservation Trust (the other being St. James’ Church at Cooling) an information board inside proudly boasts that Charles Dickens’ daughter Katey married there in 1860.

With my Ordnance Survey map in hand (Gravesend, Rochester and Hoo Peninsula -163), I headed north following the Kent County Council walking route NS138, also labelled as the ‘Naughty Nuns and Nightingales’ walk. Not sure it’s the right time of year to see either though!

Although it was a lovely sunny morning, it was predictably very muddy under foot for the long stretch northwards passing ditches, pools and the nearby Gravel Works (towards Cliffe Pools). Predictably in hindsight that is - as unusually I didn’t bother to wear my walking boots. A lesson well and truly learnt!

Eventually arriving at the Shorne Marshes Nature Reserve and Higham Saltings, there were good views across the River Thames, of Cliffe Fort and, on the opposite side of the river, Coalhouse Fort.

I then headed westward along the Saxon Shore Way towards Shornmead Fort and then, after a short distance, south towards Beckley Hill - passing Barrow Hill on route. After crossing back over the railway line, I returned on the track back to St. Mary’s Church.

Although I doubt that too many ‘festive’ calories were burnt up on this walk, it was really enjoyable all the same, and getting some New Year fresh air is never a bad idea. It took just over an hour to complete - but would have been quicker with proper boots on!

For more information about St. Mary’s Church, visit the Friends of St. Mary’s Church (Higham) website by clicking here.

More information about this walk can be found here.