Day 3 - Ashford to Headcorn

The route (all links open in a new window)
Start point: Ashford International
w3w: ///loops.noting.toast
Distance: 15 miles
Accompanying video

Ashford International isn't a place I'd describe as "in the countryside". It's a sprawling, soon to be, city but for todays walk it served the purpose as the starting point.

I loaded up my trusty map on my Garmin watch and set off due west towards Headcorn which was my chosen finishing point for the day. My perception of walking through Ashford was that it was not going to be great. I thought the route I had chosen was going to take me along a particularly busy road but within a few miles I was pleasantly surprised as my watch beeped at me to tell me there was a turning coming up. The route peeled away from the busy hubbub and took me toa much quieter street which meandered past Repton Park (not Repton Park estate which is something vastly different). This Repton Park is a nature reserve that was purposely sectioned off when developers started building in the area. I believe the great crested newt was found in the area and it was decided to keep a large chunk of nature instead of covering it with concrete so that the newt could survive and thrive. Us humans aren't allowed in that park but we are shepherded around its border. To this end that little newt is a bit of an unsung hero. To think that due to that little newt all the people in that area have a nature reserve that they can enjoy right on their doorstep.

The path took some quick lefts and rights as if wriggling free of the regimented housing estate roads and paths to pop out into a vast open field. I don't know why this surprises me so often that it can be like walking through the wardrobe in a CS Lewis book. One moment you are in one place and the next a wild and different environment altogether. The transition is almost a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment. Maybe that is the appeal, or one of them, that I find in walking.

I made my way across sheep filled fields and noted there was another pillbox hidden in the corner of a field. Even this far away from shorelines (see the accompanying video for context). There is a really in-depth website dedicated to these lines of defence which can be found here.

Once again I found my way onto the Greensand Way. This 108 mile path (111 miles if you go by the Long Distance Walkers Association route) will be my main guide up to Haslemere in Surrey. It's a really decent path which is well signposted although, as stated in the wiki page for the route "The waymarks alone are not sufficient to follow the trail – an OS map, or the online guide with maps, is required." On this particular day I met a father/daughter duo coming the other way. They'd left Egerton some hours earlier which was not far off of my finishing point for the day. The father looked 'done' and wasn't too impressed when I explained he'd just arrived at Hothfield and not Great Chart. I'd just added a few miles to his journey. I wonder if he had his map?

The Greensand Way trail gets its name form the geology that it follows across Kent and Surrey and runs parallel to The Pilgrims Way which is likely a footpath you have heard of. Either of these paths takes you through the counties areas of outstanding natural beauty. You can pick these routes up very easily at any point and do as little or as much as you like, knowing you'll likely be in for a treat.

Stomping on I found myself in the 86 acres of Hothfield Heathlands which is a Ashford Borough Council and Kent and Wildlife Trust collaboration (ABC offering financial support, KWT manage the land). The Heathlands used to be farmed but are now a reserve for wildlife. There are a number of trails around the heathlands and it's well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Across a field, into bluebell laiden woodlands, then out into a vibrant yellow field of rapeseed. The scent and colour of the day were bringing a smile to my face, warmth to my heart, and a stride in my step. Life is good!

Whilst I would have loved to stay and fly my drone around all day, I had miles to cover and cover them I did. More open fields with well defined paths led me on through orchards and past old oak trees. I pondered how many travellers had brushed past these majestic old trees. If only they could impart knowledge... maybe they are? maybe we just aren't able to understand them? maybe I need a lay down?

On through Pluckley, regarded as the UK's most haunted village but as mentioned in the accompanying video, I'm not sure what evidence they are basing that on. I didn't see any today... but maybe the video picked something up?

The trail is starting to undulate now. I won't call them hills because they really aren't demanding. More short sharp sections a little more climbing than a few flights of stairs but it does signal the move across the country. It feels good to be on the move again. Maybe this itch doesn't need scratching, maybe this is just me at my happiest. Simple pleasures.

One final downhill section and through a freshly mown field (the smell of cut grass sent me into a mini frenzy. It was intoxicating!) Out I popped onto the road that was my final few miles back to my home base. Whilst filming an outro I noticed a very large cigar shape moving across the horizon, I have no idea what it was but it looked blimp sized. If anyone knows the flight path of any blimps for the 9th May 2022, please let me know.

Day 3 done, I had a little chat with a cow (she told me to mooooove on) and I ended my day.