Somewhere on the hill in Kent
And so the blog begins. I leave my home in Medstead, Hampshire on the Pilgrim’s Way/North Downs Way on Tuesday, 7th May 2024. and proceed to Canterbury.
My mum with graduating daughter @ Surrey University
UK Route: This takes me from Medstead to Canterbury where, after an overnight stop, I then head South to Dover to catch the ferry on Monday, 13th May 2024 to Calais, France.
It’s approximately 121 miles to Canterbury and then another 20.5 miles to Dover. My first scheduled stop in Guildford is within recoverable distance from home, so my wife has kindly agreed to pick me up and drop me back the next morning. From then on in, I’m on my own and accommodation is booked at Merstham, Wrotham, Harrietsham, Canterbury and Dover. Travelling as a foot passenger is not easy these days on the ferry and there are only limited places available for individuals on the daily sailings. I used AFerry.co.uk to book the ferry and they use P&O Ferries. Checking directly on P&O Ferries website, it was claimed there were no places available for the dates I needed. A single fare to Calais cost me £32.00 which I thought was very reasonable.
Best of luck Paul – such an inspiring adventure to take on. I admire what you’re doing and wish you an incredible journey.
Love Debs xx
So exciting can’t wait to hear all about it and see photos.
Good luck with everything and enjoy yourself.
Love always Tracey, Mark,Dan and Hannah xxxx
Best of luck Paul from all of the Trowsdale-Harper-Stannards – Maddy and Andy will be particularly fascinated given their own intrepid travels!!
Day 1 completed from home to Guildford. It was a tough day with absent signs which caused lengthy detours . Unsurprisingly bruised after 48.18kms in 8.5 hours but the weather was stunning so I’m grateful. What was so nice was that I saw the first swallows this side of summer in the paddock at the bottom of the garden and better still, I heard a very prominent cuckoo at Puttenham, something I didn’t hear last year. Recovery protein powder on board and feet creamed up for tomorrow to help recover. Thanks to the German guy and his Ukrainian partner who gave me some much needed cold water👍 The next day beckons. Early start required and don’t imagine I’ll have too much problem sleeping!
Day 2: 8 May 24. A hot day with more than its share of inclines including Box Hill. Met some great people en route. Started with a pea super fog which took a while to clear. Heard the cuckoo again. Staying in Horley tonight.
Well done! Enjoy the ☀️ xxx
Well done! Enjoy the ☀️ xxx
Well done Paul ! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 ☀️ ☀️☀️☀️☀️
Day 3 Merstham to Wrotham (pronounced Rootham) another very long and hard day. Basic accommodation in a cabin, fun trying to cook raw pasta in a microwave after 49 kms of walking. Found a barn owl/owlet at the side of a path but left him in peace as he looked comfy enough. Very hot and endlessly drinking water and 2 pints of lime and soda in the afternoon, one after the other.
Day 4:10 May to Harrietsham. Another hot day with plenty of steep inclines. Crossed the Medway bridge followed by a long climb. Made my way to a pub but it was closed for renovation ! 😢45kms today but nicely finished off with a bottle of Kep beer and a pork souvlaki wrap. Good accommodation in Ashford and looking forward to a full English in the morning before the final push to Canterbury (one of the milestones)
Great to hear you are doing so well. Hope the push to the channel goes well and enjoy the crossing and a little rest. Best wished Robert👍
Day 5 Sat 11th May Another long day, some lovely scenery but Canterbury seemed so elusive which got worse as the day went on. Arrived in town looking for the accommodation which was in a not very nice area and I was told by a local woman who had lived there for 17 years about the drug problem and arsonists and suggested I wouldn’t want to stay there. It appears to have been a scam and a really helpful black guy helped arrange something in leue, I was so thankful to him. Canterbury was buzzing but I was unable to acquire a pilgrim passport as the shops had shut by then.
Day 6 to Dover 12th May 2024. A hot day but a shorter one, just over 20 miles. I kept waiting for a sighting of the sea but it didn’t come ! Getting out of Canterbury was challenging but once on track, it was mostly ok. Canterbury was beautiful and quiet being an early bird and I managed to get a pilgrim passport from a policeman after being challenged for heading to the cathedral whilst there was a service on ! Glad to be in Dover although the hostel has some interesting characters, owned by a Para, assisted by a Queen’s regiment guy who’d been shot twice in NI. Bring on France 👍
Day 7 13th May – Leave Dover bright and early. A smooth crossing and met a journalist Vigo who has left his job to do the same walk. Relatively smooth procedure at the ports. Blog to continue under the France tab.