Best bits: seeing the White cliffs of Dover
Worst bits: walking on a busy road with no footpath
Distance: 18.5 miles
It took all my effort to get out of bed this morning. I hobbled across to Asda to pick up a few supplies before driving to Rye. Unfortunately, the car park I had in mind had a market on this morning so I had to drive around and look for alternative places. Eventually I found one which fortunately was near to the path.
It was overcast and a bit cool today with temperatures feeling like 5° when I set off.
After only 3 miles I arrived at Camber where the cafe was literally just opening. I had an egg roll and a cuppa. It was a bit early for a stop but it was one of only two places enroute today! This place has a beautiful outlook and the sun came out making it even better.
It seems such a long time since I’ve seen a sandy beach and this was one stretched right out in front of me. I looked back at the cliffs that I’d walked on yesterday.
The sea defences are quite robust here as the ground behind them looks lower than sea level, which is why it’s marshland. The sun was glistening off the waves making them sparkle.
I decided to take the road rather than the coast path across the marshland. This also cut a couple of miles off and meant that I didn’t have to go right down to the nuclear power station. I did however have to detour around the MOD firing range first.
There was a small wind farm and lots of electricity pylons coming from the power station.
I had not seen anyone for over an hour and then I needed a call of nature. I was just readjusting my underwear when a man and a dog came past. A close call!
Eventually I arrived in Lydd where I popped into Brew 32 for a cheese scone, a cuppa and a rest. The staff there were wonderful and waived payment. I will put that in the donations.
This church is the centrepiece of the village standing tall into the blue sky.
On reflection my decision to take the road instead of the path might not have been the right one. On the map it looks like the road goes nowhere but I can’t believe how busy it is cars and lorries streaming past in both directions and there was no footpath! One huge truck came past me so fast that the draft took off my hat and blew it right down the road.
Dungeness nuclear power station came into view.
As the road turned a corner and went up over a humpback bridge? A wonderful view appeared. The tide was a long way out and there was a large area of shingle between the road and the beach.
At this point, I could see the White cliffs of Dover. This is another significant psychological point on my walk. So I had to do a yippee celebration to mark the occasion..
The next session section was a long stretch of straight coastal Road punctuated by the occasional junction. As the temperature had improved, I stopped to get an ice cream this time a Magnum. When you have a lot of time on your hands, it’s the small things that entertain you, like this street sign. One of my sons is called William!
As I was approaching the finish point for today, I became aware that I was cutting it very close to catching the next bus or having to wait another hour. Of course I decided to speed up. I arrived at the bus stop with a few minutes to spare and then typically the bus was about 10 minutes late.
After a 45 minute bus journey I returned to Priscilla and was desperate to get my shoes and socks off and do a foot check. Everything seemed in order. Every morning I tape my toes as a preventative measure which seems to be working.
After a cup of tea, it was time to drive to Folkestone. This took about an hour. It was my intention to park at Asda but when I arrived, it was a multi story car park with a height restriction. This is the first time that has happened. So Plan B, I had to find somewhere else to park. Eventually I found this beautiful place on the seafront with this amazing view. The downside is the traffic noise, but I’m sure that will calm down as the evening continues.
This spot will be on my return journey tomorrow and also it’s only a two minute walk to the bus stop to get me to tomorrow’s start point.
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