Each month leaders can join other leaders on a social walk with Kent Weald Walkers.
Saturday 12 November dawned grey and drizzly but that didn’t stop the small group of Kent Weald Walkers from enjoying a six and a half mile, scenic walk around Charing and Stalisfield.
Ros and Mary had chosen a route with a few surprises, the first being an elegant, black and white windmill, complete with blades sitting high above Charing, as we emerged from the first uphill section. After an hour or so strolling up and down through beautiful woods carpeted in bronze, green and yellow, we came upon our second surprise, the historic seventh century church, St Mary’s in Stalisfield. Here we sat in the Lychgate and had our packed lunches, enjoying a rare opportunity afterwards to visit the seldom open but stunningly decorated interior with its intricately carved wooden Rood or Chancel Screen.
Carrying on, we crossed several fields with ‘Beware bull in field’ notices on the gates and Sally, wearing an eye catching pink rain jacket, was particularly relieved to find the Bulls were otherwise engaged. This was not another of the planned surprises after all! Due to the mist descending as we were on our homeward leg, we missed the planned view of the glorious Kent Weald but did see much wildlife with pheasants, handsome black Rams and fields of sheep on our lovely walk today.
Mary Christy-Breeze
