Into Kent

A week ago my main concern was walking in the record-breaking daytime temperatures across the UK, not least SE England where I'm now heading towards the last few days of my sabbatical pilgrimage.  Temperatures have certainly dropped over recent days and have been accompanied by cooler breezes most of the time, making for good walking conditions.

Déjà vu?

Following our walk across Central London, my daughter Jasmine and I enjoyed our evening together.  Our Monday mornings were somewhat different, Jasmine spending time preparing to move back to Bristol in the near future, mine  heading off out of London into Kent, and to Dartford.

Not unlike the walk into London at the start of the weekend, there was plenty of green space around  as I walked on aptly-named Green Chain Walk, described as a 'South London gem hidden in plain sight.'  Away from busier roads, it crosses several areas of woodland and common land, including Shooters Hill which provided a good view out of London and towards the North Downs.

At 432 feet high, Shooters Hill is one of the highest points in Greater London, its name probably derives from use for archery practice, although possibly a link with high­waymen.  Hidden in the adjacent woodland, I came across Severndroog Castle, a folly built as a memorial to (Admiral) Sir William James by his wife Lady Anne James to mark the capturing of the island fortress of Suvarnadurg on the west coast of India.

Having enjoyed the green spaces for a while, the last couple of miles in London were spent wending my way through the suburbs of Eltham, Bexley and Crayford, passing Hall Place which dates back to Tudor times with its formal garden still looking well despite the spell of dry weather.

Having crossed into Kent, my first call was to collect my final batch of maps from my intended overnight stop in the western edge of Dartford.  I wasn't able to stay because my host currently has COVID, so after a (distanced) catch up, i carried on into town before returning to Greenwich for the night by train.

Alongside the A2

Much of Tuesday's walk followed the Kent section of Watling Street, thought to have been used by Celts as a route between today's Canterbury and St Alban's, later paved by the Romans.  Its route eventually extended from the port of Deal in east Kent coast, across London, eventually reaching Wroxeter in Shropshire.

The route of Watling Street forms the route for much of the A2 London to Dover trunk road, equally the two sections of the National Cycle Network which I followed towards Rochester.  Not a particularly quiet morning's walk ...

Rochester's Roman name, Durobrivae, means 'walled town with bridges,' which still fits the bill although any Roman remains are long gone.  Having arrived around lunchtime, I enjoyed wandering around for some while, and visiting the cathedral, parts of which date back to the 7th century.  I'm not sure about the age of the Pilgrim's Steps which recognise the many who have journeyed to Rochester and beyond, but they are certainly well-worn, not unlike the soles of my boots.