Day Nineteen Stage 8 Thurnham to Harrietsham

Day Nineteen Wednesday June 17 Stage 8

I LOVE WALKING IN ENGLAND! 

We're still on it, never far

But OH-EM-GEE whose idea was it to not put a shower in the room? Do they really think this will make me happy? Last night I washed my hair by pouring a cup of water, that got progressively soapier, over my head. This will not do.

And we're back to the hot and cold separate faucet agenda. Come on , guys. I like to think I'm a flexible traveler, I'm accepting, but after walking for miles in the heat I want a hot shower. Just sayin'. 

Ok but its too beautiful to hang onto ridiculous obvious flaws in the system. I was looking forward to a rest day, not a do-nothing rest day, but a muscle rest by walking less miles and a slower pace, no pushing.  Stroll vs. travel. The hills are more evident in this area with stair climbing and descending, though the NDW itself follows a very straight route rarely veering off. 

Looking Back To Thurnham

This was a mystery, is it his name or a statement of lament? 

Above Hollingborn, rolling hills and vistas

One change is the farmers have started planting flower margins in their fields. instead of plowing and planting right up to the edge they leave a swath of wildflowers for bees and wildlife. This changes the visuals of the fields and is also a great idea. 

Short Rest Day

Part of the Older Castle Works

So we took a side trip to Leeds castle. It was only a few miles away. Leeds Castle is a mish mosh of old and new, mostly new with extensive renovations done in the early 1900's by a socialite who entertained the likes of Errol Flynn and Jimmy Stewart. You have to look and imagine to find the authenticity and true history in the stones. They have gardens, a maze - we didnt go into because it was overrun with kids - falcon show, a train..... touristy for sure.

Still there were some moments...... 

Henry VIII had this great hall done over for his arrival with Catherine of Aragon in 1520 when he stopped with her and his entourage  on the way to France to parlay and stage a grand tournament with King Francois, in what would come to be known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold near Calais.

He had this fireplace made and.....

.... this bay window.  


In true form for us we missed lunch. we're always missing food. The pubs close between 2 and 6.30 or lunch is over at the cafe. Its frustrating. So we got some soup and dessert and a chance to sit for a while with some hopeful friends. 

Leeds Castle is pretty, not the "most lovely castle in the world" as the byline says. its too renovated. But Henry thought it was beautiful and it was special to him, so worth seeing. You can also ride the little transportation train if you dont feel like walking. Whoo Whoo!

Nice day in Kent. 

While Waiting For The Taxi