Resuming the around Kent Coast walk

After a long lay off owing to my knee injury we got back on the around Kent Coast walk today. This time we tackled about 2.5miles along the north shore of the Medway Estuary from Upnor to Port Werburgh. The coast walk splits into 2 legs hearabouts, one leg goes aloing the foreshore, the other more inland to be used if the tide is in.

This was not the prettiest walk along the Kent Coast and we're not holding out much hope for the rest of the walk westward from here to Gravesend and Darford. This is not to slight the area as it was an interesting walk along the shore, past sailing clubs and marinas and old buildings and wharves but the shoreline was a mess, littered with flotsam and jetsum and all sorts of rubbish. Loads of boats moored, some lived in, some derelict, some seem to have been there for ever. The path wound its way through old yards, untidy factory units, dereliction, old alleys, park houses and moorings. The walk which started off in the bright sunshine ended up in cold grey late afternoon which matched the mood of the time.

One bright spot was the Arethusa Venture Centre used by young people for watersports and related adventure activities. Pupils from my last school used to go there but I'd never been to the place. Outside the Centre was a voluptuous figurehead from HMS Arethusa which was the last British Navy ship to go into battle under sail in 1854 during the Crimean War. The figurehead had been restored to her full glory in 2011.

In the evening we had Doreen around for dinner which was slow cooked brisket of beef (in the slow cooker for 9 hours) with roast potatoes, our own parsnips rescued from the wreckage of those posted yesterday and cabbage from the allotment. Followed by apple pie - but an interesting thing happened to the pastry - it sunk into the apples! Too much fat in it I assume.!