Tues 19th June
Roll on Pimms o'clock
Walkers: Chris,Mrs.P Farty,TB,Wind.
Distance: 6.2 miles
Find of the walk: Jubilee flag
Having requested a walk on high
ground,and being able to go east in the absence of Sandra, Mon,in mischievous mood,selected Ide Hill,possibly one of the highest
hills in Kent. This suited Wind,but the others were a bit put out. We
assembled at the Ide Hill public conveniences (very nice,metal,but clean) and
spent the next half hour catching up on news as we hadn't walked for weeks due
to weather and other stuff.
This is a gorgeous area with fab
views over rolling countryside and Bough Beech Reservoir,could almost have been
the lake district. After a circuit of the village,passing the Cock Inn,oh
dear,hear we go,much ribald talk of the comings and goings of cocks,we set
off. No sooner had we started than talk turned to Pimms recipes,and Mon
gave us hers,which sounded delicious. From then on we had an overwhelming
urge for a glass,and just had to stop at the Fox and Hounds at Toys Hill for a
pitcher. Devine! By the way,Toys Hill is named after Robert
Toys,who in 1295 paid 12d to the manor of Otford to keep pigs in the woods(not
bears),as you do.
I obviously can't remember much
after the Pimms,except that this is sheep country,and we saw loads of them,all
looking warily at us with their strange pupils. Bit like mine at this
stage! On we went,passing Henden Manor,complete with moat. It
belonged to Henry V111,who gave it to Thomas Boleyn,father of Ann,but you
probably knew that. Few cows today to worry Chris,but we did come across
a bizarre multi-coloured plastic one,which is the only one she will ever like.
Back at the woodman pub,which was fine with good food but cold plates,we were
surprised to be asked for a table number when the place was empty. Rules is
rules. Chris got her mitts on some ketchup,only to be told to put it back
as it was for garden use only. Perhaps they put it on the tomato plants!
After lunch we perused a lovely
aviary in the pub grounds,complete with chickens,budgies,and other birds - Mon
will tell you their names, and I don't mean Polly and Joey etc! Mon was
in heaven. A perfect end to a perfect day.
Next week's venue is possibly
Staplefield. TBA. TTFN!
Blogger: Wind
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