Journey Resumed
It's taken three years to resume the Saxon Shore Way (SSW). Naturally enough, I left it at a pub. The Oyster Pearl at Seasalter. A convenient bus stop proving too tempting to pass.
I mused about continuing, though it was never really in doubt. However bored of Shepherds Neame I became and uninspiring the walking of the first stage was, I am never one to leave something unfinished. Plot spoiler. I am glad I did. The second half is far superior.
The reason for the lengthy delay was more to do with the rail strikes. Impossible to plan a multi centre journey if they call a strike on travel days. Things have stabilised over the last 12 months and an incredible four train, five hour journey pulled into Thanet Parkway exactly on time.
 |
| Travel Itinerary |
The eagle-eyed may spot that I was meant to alight at Minster. Just a mile from the Saxon Shore Way, but close analysis of the map in later planning revealed that it runs on the opposite side of the River Stour. There is nowhere to cross the river until Sandwich - 5 miles down stream or Pluck's Gutter, 2 miles upstream and in the opposite direction needed. Annoying, but salvation comes in the form of Thanet Parkway. A station that is just 3 minutes from Minster and doesn't even exist on my elderly OS Map.
If only they made it easy to exit as a pedestrian. An instant first wrong turn and double back after finding non-existent paths.
The coast is reached quickly and although not on the banks of the Stour, I am walking more or less in parallel with the SSW. Gentle river paths replaced by skip hire businesses alongside a busy main road that thankfully has the newly formed English Coastal Path running alongside.
 |
| The White Cliffs of Ramsgate from the English Coast Path |
It's a joy to pick up the SSW at Sandwich, the first of the Cinque Port Towns I will visit over the week.
The Cinque Ports are a historic confederation of coastal towns in southeastern England—originally Hastings, New Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich—established before the Norman Conquest to provide ships and men for the crown in exchange for privileges like tax exemptions and self-governance.
A beautiful looking town, which I entered by crossing a fortified bridge.
 |
| At last, over the Stour. |
I hit the New Inn — listed in the Good Beer Guide — with Gadds No. 3 to kick things off, chased with water.
 |
| Too hot to sit on orange chairs |
 |
| Lots of wood.... typical Kentish Pint |
The River Stour whisked me down to the seafront for the easiest walking possible all the way into Deal.
 |
| Cap flaps deployed on walking hat, but I will spare you that image |
 |
| The pier marking the end of today's walking. |
Plenty of Good Beer ticks to be had, for a separate blog. I vow to stop at the first pub seen. This is the Foresters. A single cask, community local packed with locals. Like most community locals, it has the oddest pub rules.
 |
| Just what happens on a Monday night at the Foresters? |
I wasn't going to trust cask TT Landlord on a hot day in an unknown pub. Stella - like the locals - taken with a sea view before finding my digs for the night.
Time to consider whether I’ve overstretched that budget-conscious goal I set
 |
| What it lacked in en-suite, it made up for with free biscuits |
Walk Details
Distance - 11 Miles
Geocaches - 7
No comments:
Post a Comment