Essex Man Does Walking

Rochester to Detling

I awoke earlier than I had hoped as the occupant in the room above had the heaviest footfall known to man. I laid around a bit but eventually dragged myself down for some breakfast. I was not feeling it today which is a bit odd as I felt really good finishing the 21 miles yesterday. The Sun was up and I only had 11 miles to do, surely I could feel better about it. Oh well, best get on with it.

Leaving the hotel I walked back to the NDW trail and crossed the Medway bridge. Amazing. Traffic on one side and the River Medway on the other. I did this for about 10 mins or so before the trail headed away on the other bank. A bit of road slogging needed before heading up into the country passing over the Eurostar line. None in sight though. I then headed up a field and then into a wood still heading up. In fact I must have headed up for about 2-3 miles before coming out onto Blueberry Hill where some bloke was about to release his pigeons.

The path then headed down across a busy road and back up again before heading under a busy road and reaching Chatham services where I ate a sandwich and had a coffee as well as buy some supplies. On the way passing an ancient monument called Kit’s Cosy House. From here the trail headed down to a bridge over the Eurostar line again. This time I got lucky as one came out the tunnel. The trail headed up steeply through some woods before heading over fields and through wood again.

Heading off the trail I made it to the camp site and set up my tent before walking down into Detling to get some food at The Cock Horse. Good food and a Guinness. Had to walk back up though! Here is hoping for a good sleep.

Distance: 11 miles