Beating the Bounds

Down to the boundary with Woodnesborough Parish at Durlock, with the stream and ditches that keep the land drained and productive. The sun is an orange globe still low in the sky.

 North towards Nash, through the hedged fields and apple orchards, we turn towards Hoaden.

Continuing along the boundary, through fields of potatoes ready to be dug, two buzzards are sighted, more usual now than in the past. We follow the stream onto the Ash Levels with Westmarsh on our right.  The chimney of one of our walkers can be glimpsed through the trees. Should we call in for late breakfast?

The band crosses the Stour Valley Walk at 9.30am and the first fence is crossed. 

Walking on the Preston Parish side of the boundary so that no-one will have to swim across the Richborough Stream, swans are quietly photographed. In earlier days, dinghies were used to navigate the waterways that cross the boundary inside the parish.

By quarter to eleven, we arrive at Plucks Gutter. Much earlier than anticipated and before the Dog & Duck opens. Clearly we had to rest until opening time.

At 12.30 we board the Ferry Nymph with Captain Collin and the knowledgeable and indomitable Liz. The Ferry Nymph now lovingly restored, was one of the little ships that made the crossings to Dunkirk in 1940 to bring the soldiers back to ‘Blighty’. Along with hundreds of other ships, the Ferry Nymph made two crossings bringing hundreds of soldiers back to Dover and Ramsgate. It is both a grim and a heroic reminder of the complicated history of the East Kent Coast.

Downstream of Plucks Gutter, cows and calves grazing on the south bank of the river and views of the current industrial development on the north side, with the change from the towers of the power station to wind turbines and solar panels

Not in Sandwich but in the parish of Ash, the Richborough Roman Fort and the surrounding area, is an important part of both the history of the parish and the growing tourism that economically benefits the parish. Disembarking at 1.30pm, the walk along the riverside highlights the change in boats moored and the recent array of small gardens, sheds and parking areas feel very ‘urban’. It is no longer possible to keep to the boundary at North Poulders, as it is unsafe to cross the A256. However the diversion was too diverting, as we missed the Sandwich sluice completely, going straight on the Richborough Road and heading north rather than south.

Back on the boundary at the North Poulders Stream, the border with Woodnesborough Parish, the sun is now high in the sky and it feels quite summery. A series of gates leads to some acrobatic moves but no damage to gates or climbers.

Still bordering Woodnesbourgh, and coming along to Each Manor Farm, we see a young lady practicing her very professional dressage skills. There are horse paddocks either side leading into a farm yard where the people working with the horses are very surprised to see us. All sorted, as yes we had spoken to the owner beforehand.

Emerging onto Coombe Lane and crossing into the open fields south of the parish, the view to Woodnesborough and across to Staple is noteworthy. The church spire is in clear view but there are still ditches to navigate and open fields to walk. The legs are feeling very heavy. Yes, there are some detours leading to unpassable hedges. A brave two walk a fallen tree across a ditch, while the remainder trudge back along the ditch until a safer crossing is found.