Statistics: 14.2 miles, ascent 1532′, descent 1297′.
Again, the B&B’s breakfast was extremely tasty, before we said farewell to our very hospitable hosts, Allison and Paul. After climbing up to and over a railway bridge, we were once again in wide-open farmland that was abundant with poppies.
Alongside the path was a “bee hotel”. As on previous days, we saw several beekeepers out tending to their bees as we walked by.
As we gained elevation, we were presented with lovely views of Rochester and the River Medway.
Eventually, the trail wound its way down to the River Medway. To cross the 3/4 mile long Medway Bridge we had to join in the throng of car and foot traffic and the accompanying roar.
Climbing back up to the secluded downs, we could look back at what now became – at a distance – a
In this area of the NDW a number of Neolithic burial sites had been discovered. The first site we noticed was Kits Coty House (3500 to 2800 BC), an arrangement of huge stones (the largest is estimated to weigh 10 tons) that were placed at one end of a long barrow (a mound of about 200′ with a ditch on either side). The ditches have long since been filled, but these mighty stones remain.
A short distance further on was a second burial stone, the White Horse Stone.
Walking through Westfield Wood, we saw many huge and, I suspect, quite old trees.
Sheep graced most fields that we passed. Occasionally, a few sheep were a little braver than the others, letting their curiosity get the best of them.
The trail through open fields soon entered woodlands, always beckoning and alluring.
Once more our lodgings for the night were a short distance from the NDW and we had to make a short, side trip to the village of Thurnham, about 1 mile off the NDW. Our home for the night, The Black Horse Inn was a very attractive pub, filled with character, with comfortable rooms and meals that were creative and delicious.
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