Saturdays' 11 miler in the Kent Downs AONB started from our accommodation - Palace Farm Hostel in Doddington, 6 miles SE of Sittingbourne. We passed through Syndale Valley and the pretty village of Newnham, the home of James Pimm, you can imagine what he invented. We passed the 2000 year old yew in Eastling churchyard, but the day will most likely be remembered for the glorious orange and gold colours of the Autumn woodlands, and the chocolate pear squidgy pudding in the evening.

Sunday was a 5 miler, again walking from the hostel but this time heading westwards with views down the valley and then into the orchards for which Kent is famous. We made the most of the apples left on the trees with a good bit of scrumping. We passed through Torry Hill Park a manor house and open parkland setting with long views to the Thames Estuary. Fiona attempted the "high level" swing, no-one else was brave enough or daft enough(!) to try and get on it. Then with our short weekend over it was back into the cars and home.

Trip Leader

Christine Craig