14 August 2011 and Paul Brunning led a small group of ramblers on a delightful walk from Chilham to

Canterbury.  Photographs taken by myself and even better ones taken by Pauline are below.

Shortly after leaving Chilham station we arrived at Chilham village, recognisable to those who have

watched "Emma" or "Poirot", both of which were filmed in this beautiful village. This is a shot of the

front gate of Chilham castle.

And this is a shot of the wider village, its charm rather diminished by the presence of modern transport.

We then had a nice side view of the castle

And a closer view in which the support of the castle park railings prevented my usual handshake

when taking a zoomed in photograph

There was a Britisheventing event in the castle park and we got some nice views of the horses

being put through their paces

And then up the one and only hill we met on this walk.  Shortly after this photograph was taken we

passed near a mansion formerly owned by Jane Austen's uncle which we believe may have inspired

her in the writing of "Mansfield Park"

Back to the village for lunch at the White Horse, where the staff were friendly and helpful and the

prices not as extravagant as we had feared

Fed and watered we prepared for the afternoon walk

But first a visit to the local place of worship, St Mary's C of E Church

A nice shot of the interior of the Church

And a nice flower arrangement at the back of the nave

A pleasant riverside walk led us past Chilham Mill, now used as a pumping station and providing a

fine example of the combination of modern technology with a splendidly restored piece of English

industrial heritage.

We saw some lovely river views

And walked under an example of British bridge engineering at its best - a brick arch railway bridge

over the Great Stour

Later we walked through a large orchard with lipsmacking apples, pears and plumbs on show,

which we resisted the temptation to help ourselves to (except for a few windfalls).

This was the only view we got of Canterbury Cathedral - it can't be seen once inside the city until

you are quite close to the Cathedral itself.

Then we arrived at the village of Chartham and none of us availed of the option offered by our

leader of catching a train from the local rail station.

The city council notice to which one rambler's finger is pointing proclaims "Putting People first"

but the futile efforts of another rambler to gain access to the ladies' toilet gives the lie to that boast!!

As we approached Canterbury we benefited from a newly made up footpath from Canterbury to

Chartham which suggests ideas for future walks to our leader.

And a peaceful view of punters on the Great Stour.

Then the impressive approach to Canterbury along the river bank

And Paul indicates the way to the station for those anxious to get the earlier train back, while

others head for La Pierre tea shop for delicious tea, coffee and pastries.

On our way to the station we see one last example of Canterbury's medieval and modern architecture,

this time for once without the intrusion of motorised vehicles.

And so to the station for our train back to London

At the station our train awaits the arrival and departure of the high Speed train to St Pancras.

And we admire the traditional style signal box over the railway line.  Shortly after this photograph

was taken our train was cleared for entering the station and we began our journey back after a

truly delightful day's walking.