A coachload of Strollers and Rollers set off bright and early to visit the sights of Bruges including the famous Carillion. A beautiful warm and sunny day was promised and following a very calm crossing of the Channel we drove off towards Bruges. Sadly the coach was 'attacked' from below by an unseen object and the resulting problem meant that Calais was to be our final destination for the day. The 2.5 mile walk into the town was therefore undertaken by most of the group with the rest being ferried in a little later by taxi.  Nevertheless, the group remained in good spirits and enjoyed their afternoon exploring the town and sampling the local restaurants, cafes, shops, parks and open spaces. Maybe it will be Bruges next time!

Saturday, 19^th April saw the Strollers off to the North Downs (or should it be the North Ups) with some of those challenging climbs. 20 Strollers met at Whitehorse Country Park at Detling, near Maidstone, for a walk along part of the North Downs Way, which parallels the Pilgrims Way, continuing  on higher up the hill to Thurnham taking in the Castle, Thurnham Church, also St Mary's and returning via Detling village along an almost straight, flat route along the base of the Downs. Joined by 4 of our 'Honorary' Strollers, we enjoyed a splendid pub lunch, at the Black Horse Inn, Thurnham, comprising a hot and cold Buffet - soup, sandwiches and fries, giving us renewed energy for the climb back to the White Horse Country Park  about an hour later.  All in all some splendid views, despite the rain, wind and mist. There plenty to see along the route including Jacobs Sheep, lots of wildflowers including bluebells and cowslips, ancient woodland and churchyards and a charming 'young man' at Detling Church who opened up especially for us.  (PS it's not true that there is a County of Kent Mountain Rescue Team - perhaps there should be….?

Twenty one Strollers met for the circular walk out over the Faversham marshes following the footpath marked on the Ordnance Survey map alongside Faversham and Oare Creeks towards the village of Oare.  The wind was keen and the skies grey so warm clothes were a necessity and dawdling was not recommended! The tide was out at the start so numbers of waterfowl and wading birds were busy feeding along the muddy and marshy stretches on either side of the raised bund, all apparently quite unfazed by the biting cold wind buffeting the walkers on the footpath at the top. 
Lunch was very welcome at the Castle pub in Oare village and afterwards a short detour to visit Oare parish church was made. Ominous clouds were making rather hasty progress towards us and on leaving the picturesque church snow began to fall and the Strollers found themselves in the middle of a blizzard!  In typical British fashion, it didn't last long, however, and before long there were blue skies and sunshine in which to finish the last short stretch of the walk along Oare Creek and back to the cars.  An invigorating and very sociable walk! ....Join us for the next one!
 

The Strolling Stones walking year began on 2nd February!