Oare Creek

Out today walking another section of our "Around the Kent Coast" challenge, this time a round trip from Faversham along Faversham Creek and Oare Creek back to Faversham. It's about a 6 mile walk but only 4 1/2 count as the Coast walk as the final section is inland along the roads back to Faversham.

The weather was kind, some sunshine but a keen wind. Underfoot conditions varied from good going to cloggy going. Once again when we arrived at the start of the walk we found a notice saying the path had been closed from 13th December for no more than 21 days owing to a landslip. Once again we ignored the sign and carried on. When we arrived at the end of the closed path we had seen no sign of a landslip anywhere. Perhaps they're expecting one to happen and have put the signs up ready for when it does.

We've walked a few of these creeks along the North Kent coast in recent weeks; The Swale, Milton Creek, Conyer Creek and now Oare and Faversham Creeks. This time the tide was out leaving vast areas of shining mud with boats sat on them. All these creeks look desolate and lonely at low tide, looking much more attractive when the tide is in. Yet they have a certain sort of beauty when they are like this.

There are many, many boats alongside Oare Creek and despite its appearance there seems to be a thriving, busy community creekside. Lots of caravans that have seen better days line the bank jostling with shacks, boats, people banging, drilling and sawing and all the associated paraphenalia that comes with living by the water. There must be millions of pounds of craft moored here or hauled up on the banks. I wonder how often they are used? How many weekends in a year do you get the right tide condtions and good weather to get out of the creek and back again? Very few I expect.

The walk was only part of the experience of the day and was really only an incentive to find room for lunch at Macknade's - a farm shop cum cafe on the eastern side of Faversham. They do a selection of very good platters of meats and cheeses, with bread and an assortment of pickles. This is the third time we've been here at this time of the year and it is a welcome highlight of the season.

The day was not over as in the evening it was Carols on the Green in Bearsted so it was another, allbeit, short walk to the Green to sing carols once again in the rain. Still it was a very pleasant occasion and well worth the discomfort of the inclement weather.