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A two hour run down the M1 and M25 saw us parked at Otford ready for the off. We were joined for
the day by the leader's dad and brother, and set off in bracing weather to join the North Downs
Way which, except for a short detour into Kemsing, we followed for some distance. An excellent pub
stop at Romney Street for the lunch break fortified us for the remaining few miles through
Shoreham and along the Darent Valley Way back to Otford. A superb day's walking in beautiful
scenery with quite a few ups and downs for added interest.
The youth hostel at Kemsing was amongst the best I have stayed at with very good accommodation and
food. The evening sped by with spirited games of cards taking the party through to a well-earned
night's sleep.
Into the cars for the short morning drive to Sevenoaks. From there we meandered through Knole Park
with extensive views and a close up of the house which is now a National Trust property. We then
joined the Greensands Way (the emblem for which is an oasthouse) which we followed through to our
destination at Westerham. En route we took our lunch at a fine pub in Ide Hill followed by even
more and steeper ups and downs and a sighting of Chartwell, Churchill's former home and now also a
NT property. The whole day's walk was capped off on our arrival at about 17:00 at Westerham by
finding a lovely little tea house still open. Cream teas and cakes were enjoyed before we turned
out to catch the local bus back to Sevenoaks which arrived empty but bang on time.
Very many thanks to Clive Williams for once again organizing and leading an excellent weekend's
walking.
David Craddock
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