The sun shines as I make my way along the eastern side of Milton Creek, giving me a dubious opportunity to view the recycling plants on the opposite bank for a second time.
The track is easy to follow and takes me back to The Swale, with the Isle of Sheppey on the far side and bird-watchers to keep me company.
There are two creeks to walk round. The first is Conyer Creek, which hosts a lovely marina, including houseboats with gardens on board. An embankment shelters me from the wind, so I settle down beneath it, enjoying the view across the creek, for second breakfast. I’m not visible from the field above and a woman is startled to discover why her dog bolted down the slope, now sitting next to me and gazing longingly at my ham sandwich. No chance mate. She apologises for the drooling dog and drags him off.
The second is Oare Creek and the Three Mariners at Oare is an excellent lunch stop for a pint of Whitstable Bay Pale Ale. It seems appropriate given my destination later in the day. Suitably fortified I start the afternoon loop. There’s a welcoming committee on the narrow embankment path, who suggest that this is their territory.
I’m fleet of foot and slip past them easily — no contest.
Although they have the last laugh.
Faversham is a pretty medieval market town and warrants a separate visit in the summer. I only have time to pay homage to the Shepherd Neame Brewery, home of the oldest brewers in Britain. I linger outside a large gate marked “Laboratory” hoping to get a few free test samples of the latest brew, but it remains firmly closed as the sun sets. I always did prefer Fuller’s London Pride.
Walk distance: 16 miles.
Total distance: 64 miles.
I actually like the industrial bits that I walk past on my coastal walks. They add a bit of variety and interest. I like unspoilt nature as well of course, but (I’ll get some disapproving looks here) too much nature can sometimes be a little….. monotonous? Hmmm, helmet on 😄
I agree. The variety is what makes the coastline interesting for me. Nothing like a bit of rust.
OMG that path!!! It was as dry as a bone when I walked along that section, although it wasn’t any easier to walk on since it was so rutted and if not for my walking poles I’d have twisted my ankle horribly. I love Faversham and have visited a number of times. I also stayed at the Sun Inn in 2017 while walking Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales route…although my journey ended there prematurely due to horrendous blisters after stupidly walking with wet socks. The 1st and only time 😝😏
Again it’s a beautiful stretch of the way, but ever so deceptive distance wise…