Back to England on Friday

Ah well. Investigated walks, got some literature but never got around to some proper hikes. I'll leave all that to next time. The French countryside is not as walker friendly as England. No criss-crossing public footpaths with stiles. No nice green public footpath routes on maps. I'll be back on the English hills soon, though. A view from Domfront. A town on a hill.

No Walking Yet!

Nice journey on Thursday: Boulogne, Rouen, Caen, Avranches and hence to Montigny near St Hilaire du Harcouet. Each time I make this journey I think of the efforts and sacrifices made by those soldiers, and civilians, of 60 years ago.
I was in Mortain today, dodging rain showers and visiting some English people doing up their French homes.

Off topic really, but have a look at the following and see if you can say what it is (hint: This is Normandy!)

Off to Normandy

I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning to catch the Speedferry to Boulogne. When I get back from France I'll post at least one walk. I'm thinking of one which follows an old railway track from near St Hilaire Harcouet, where Kathy and John live, to just past Mortain, where Steve and Jessica live.
The photo below shows a slight detour from this route at Mortain: approaching "Le Petite Cascade", taken at Easter this year.

'Figure of Eight' Walk- Harrietsham to Wormshill

This takes about three hours at a fast pace. There are many possible diversions if you want to extend it. A shortened version can be combined with the walk described in the last post, in which case you need about 5-6 hours, again at a fast pace.

The photos were taken just yesterday.

This scarecrow dresses better than me!

Horse Mushroom (Agaricus arvensis). This one ended up as part of my dinner!
WARNING. Do not confuse with 'Yellow Stainer'(Agaricus xanthodermus) which is almost identical except that it bruises a bright yellow (and is poisonous).

The Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera). Also a tasty treat. These were left in situ.

Please be advised that I am not an expert on fungi. Do not base any decision on whether anything is safe to eat based on what I say here.

The weather was a bit changeable.

So what was this Emu doing on the North Downs?

North Downs. Thurnham to Hollingbourne and Back.

This is an interesting walk with some nice steep slopes to get those legs into shape. There are a couple of 'fenced in' sections but mostly it feels quite open. Great views, of course, including a glimpse of the roof of Leeds castle. This, and the next post, overlook and use part of the ancient 'Pilgrims Way', (see Chaucer) which runs from London to Canterbury.

The Remains of Thurnham Castle.

An Unusual Stile Design!

Poppies on Coldharbour Lane!

'Coldharbour' is a common place name in England. There are two main theories for its origin: 1. A place of refuge on a remote track. 2. 'Col' (for hill) 'Arbor' (for a wood). This Coldharbour lane does run through a wood on a hill so I favour number 2 in this case.

Wild Marjoram. Try crushing the leaves and smelling!

A typical view looking south from the North Downs. Snarkhurst wood in distance on right.

Hollingbourne Village Church. Top of Leeds Castle in distance to the left of Church.

Snarkhurst Wood on the return journey to Thurnham.

Introduction

The English weather may not always be as nice as we'd like, but it's the variability that makes it more interesting. These postings will, however, be mostly about the fine days!