Teston to Yalding Circular – 7.5 miles

  For today’s walk we stayed local, finding a route that began only a couple of miles from our front door, so much so that within ten minutes we were parked up at the start line and ready to go.  With a relatively late start time of 11.15am, we set off into a very mild winters day from Teston Country Park, crossing over a busy bridge and up the road away from the river.

  We almost immediately went wrong, before going wrong again shortly after, and this really did set the tone for the first section of the walk.  We continued to follow the tarmacked road past Cider House and Tutsham Hall, before finally reaching a good old-fashioned footpath around a polytunnel field, where we quickly went wrong again.  After back-tracking and correcting our mistake, we did eventually make it out of the field and were underway, finally getting into our rhythm.

  A short stretch through a small woodland and past some ponies, we crossed a fast but thankfully not busy road, up into a large, wide-open field at the top of the hill above Yalding – and what a view waited for us!  We could see out across the countryside for miles, standing there pointing in the direction of our favourite haunts.  We then crossed the field, before the path began to descend back down the hill which we had (for the large part) not actually noticed we had climbed in the first place!  Conditions had been good underfoot, however on the track to the road we encountered the first (and more-or-less only) muddy patch of the day.

  It was here that we first spotted the new life poking out from amongst the fallen leaves beneath the trees, as this year’s shoots began to show themselves for the first time.  As we made our way into Yalding, the signs of winter’s end and spring’s arrival were abundant, with snowdrops, crocuses and the odd daffodil already on offer.  Soon enough we found ourselves in Yalding itself and back down at the river’s level.  We stopped on a bench just outside the village for a lunch of crisps and a jam donut – perhaps not our finest moment…

  We then spotted The Boathouse pub and decided to really round off this nutritious meal with a pint.  A great decision, we both agreed, as we sipped our drinks in the pub’s riverbank garden, agreeing to come back on a sunny day for a longer session.  After waiting for the drawbridge to let us back onto the road (a boat had decided to use one of the canals, of course) we set off again, turning now in the direction of home.

  Following a short walk down the road, we found the riverside footpath waiting for us, which would, ultimately, take us along the Medway and all the way back to the car.  Aside from many boats and waterfowl, we of course passed many fishermen along the way, relaxing away their Sunday afternoon.  Based on a spontaneous, preliminary study conducted by our olfactory senses, we have come to the conclusion, that there seems to be somewhat of a crossover between the two hobbies of fishing, and marijuana.  Now, I’m not saying that this is either a good thing or a bad thing, I am just saying that…you know…it’s a thing…

  Other than this, our march back was most notable for its swans and cormorants, its surprising lack of mud, being serenaded by a Blue Tit, a tree with a very clear pair of boobs (see photos) and the persistent signs of Spring, raring to kick into action.  As we drew nearer and nearer the country park, we also encountered an increasing number of very happy dogs, enjoying a riverside romp.

  And soon enough, we found ourselves back at the car!  This route actually took us just under four hours in the end, although it did not feel like it, and certainly felt less than 7.5 miles.  This is probably due to relatively little incline and an entirely flat second half, as well as very little mud, but either way, we felt surprisingly fresh on return.

  Before setting off, I wasn’t sure what to expect, however I was pleasantly surprised by the route, which took you across nice stretches of countryside and provided some great views, as well as some gentle riverside walking (not to mention, that pub).  However, for me, the real take away from today is seeing all the new life on its way – ladies and gentlemen, Spring is just around the corner.

Original route was provided by Kent Ramblers, with full instructions and map available at https://www.kentramblers.org.uk/KentWalks/public/walk_045.htm?fbclid=IwAR0j4OC0yOd6eG-OsFpp0NfZj8OtBBbFrJiOB9LVaHSoqd2XqBD9rXH1xrU