For this week’s walk, we tried something a little different. Due to weekend commitments, we would not be able to complete our usual Sunday walk. So, we decided that, after work on Friday, we would embark on our first evening walk! For this new venture, we decided to go for the most local route to us and one we had done previously, which we had had on our radar for just such an eventuality for a few weeks. However, we were both very glad we had saved it for this particular evening, as conditions were clear, hot and golden; the perfect summer’s eve.
We did make one small change from our previous loop. The route itself starts and ends at Teston Country Park, which closes its gates at 9pm. Knowing that this may be cutting it a little fine, Beth came up with the simple but genius solution of simply parking in Yalding, and starting from the other end – brilliant!
So after a quick turnaround, we parked up in Yalding and set off into the blazing evening at just shy of six o’clock. We left the village across the middle of the large green, and walked over the river for the first time that day. The pub to the left where we had stopped previously had plenty of riverside patrons enjoying a pint, but sadly it was just too early to justify already stopping, so we continued up the road, past some alpacas.
The riverside footpath appeared to our right soon after, and so we began along the bank, for a stint which eats away many of the walk’s miles. The light of the evening reflected beautifully off the water as we passed, and we spotted lots of ducks, swans and even a goose who seemed to think he was a swan as well. We also passed several boats docked along the watercourse, with just as many rods cast out over their sides. This path, naturally being very flat and thankfully mostly mud-free this time of year, made for some quick progress, and it wasn’t long before we found ourselves at the other end of the river section, at Teston Country Park. Sadly the little café was not open for a snack, so we sat on a bench and ate our sweets before turning our attention to the second half of the walk.
In direct comparison to the easy terrain of the first half, the remainder of the evening involved going up and over the hill back to Yalding. We set off, crossing back over the river across Teston bridge, and leaving the busy road down a long, quiet driveway on the right. This took us up past a few houses through a pleasant and well-hidden, green estate, as we looked down at the river below one final time, the water twinkling us a farewell. Turning straight upward, we made our way through a large equine yard and a farm, where we walked past some polytunnels (where we briefly went the wrong way – again!) growing in which Beth guessed were Raspberries (she later confirmed herself as correct). The rise was fortunately gentle, and we carried on slowly upward, next through a patch of woodland. This was slightly trickier thanks to a few stingers, as well as lots of buzzing flies which seemed very interested in our sudden appearance. There was also the distinct smell of billy goat around, which I could only guess came from the encampment through the trees to our right.
Soon enough we emerged from the trees back into the open. We made our way down the edge of a paddock, containing a rather angry Shetland pony, whom Beth managed to upset by sneezing loudly, and he was pleased to see us go. Across the road, and we came out at the top of the evening’s climb. A large field sloped away before us, and ahead we could see the world stretching out to the horizon in the golden light. We made our way a little down the hill and stopped at a way marker and a cut, comfortable patch of grass. Rather brilliantly, I had packed us each a can of cider for just this moment, which were still mercifully cool. Settling down, we cracked them open and began to sip as we watched the sun set from our vantage point – it was rather lovely. We must have sat for a while, because by the time we rose, our sunny spot was in the shade, and Beth was again rather giggly.
We crossed the rest of the field to where we found a tree-lined path which would take us down the majority of the hill. The light shone beautifully through the green leaves all the way back to the outskirts of Yalding. A couple of minutes later and we came out into a housing estate and made our way down a couple of streets and alleyways, back out into the centre of the village. We crossed Yalding’s large bridge and finally made it back to the car at about quarter to nine, with the evening drawing in.
Overall, I’d say we nailed this one. This was a lovely twist on a walk we had already enjoyed previously, and it served as the perfect walk to start our busy weekend, and enjoying a sunset drink with my fiancée was the cherry on top. Starting in Yalding worked really well too, and is probably something we’d consider again regardless of the time of day!
Matthew G. Huggins 