Monday, May 07, 2018

Great Expectations Met: Northward Hill and Halstow Marshes walk

Off message. Please excuse the "Great Expectations" pun but we went for what turned out to be an unexpectedly lovely walk yesterday near Rochester in Kent. The guide book claimed this was the countryside described by Charles Dickens in "Great Expectations". We did not see any Abel Magwitch, in fact we hardly saw a soul once we left the High Halstow RSPB reserve at the start of the walk.

Despite the sight of the docks across the Thames in the far distance,  the sense of isolation and solitude was a perfect break from the manic election campaigning of recent weeks.

A wonderful lush, varied and surprising "up and down" (for Kent coast) walk. It is 8 miles long and you go through woodland, meadows, arable fields, plantations, quiet country roads, white shell beaches, marshes and coast line. Weather was very warm but there was a cooling breeze. Only 50 minutes by car from East London.

The guide book instructions were a little unclear at times and may be outdated but head for "Saxon Shoreway path " sign at beginning to start the walk and if in doubt check the map.

A 8/10 walk! Recommended.


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