A list of the Strolling Stones walks from 2006-2008 can be found here. Walks from the 2009 season can be found here.
Strolling Stones
St Mary's Ramblers
Everyone welcome!
Join us on the next date!
See the calendar for details!
Hodsoll Street and Stansted Saturday 3rd July
A very warm and sunny day saw the Strolling Styones gather in the car park of the Green Man at Hodsoll Street to start a five mile circular walk around the local footpaths. The route had been planned from the OS map of the local area and passed through a varied terrain of open fields, shady woodland, meadows and country lanes. Colourful butterflies seemed to be everywhere, early summer wildflowers provided a colourful display and the scent of new mown hay on the warm air added the final touches to an already beautiful day. The route took us through the village of Stansted and its old church with a stone font and a huge yew tree in the churchyard and then on to Fairseat with its little chapel. A curious double seat cut out of a large tree trunk was discovered at the top of a steep incline and the views from there were certainly worth admiring for a short spell while the rest of the party caught up! Lunch at the Green Man was a leisurely affair where we were joined by some 'resting strollers' to enjoy a welcome drink and tasty meal before returning home in time to catch up with the latest at Wimbledon and the World Cup! Looking forward to the next walk!
Chilham walk Monday 3rd May
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A small band of walkers followed the Chilham Heritage trail on a bright but chilly day Bank Holiday Monday. Lunch was enjoyed at the pub in Chilham village followed a visit to the church which was open to provide rest and refreshments to other walkers following their fundraising 'five churches walk'. A most enjoyable day.
Harrietsham and Ringlestone walk Saturday 13th March
A small band of Strolling Stones walked a six mile circular route around this area of open farmland and woodland which included parts of the Pilgrims Way and the North Downs Way. Snowdrop spotting along the way we discussed the lateness of Spring this year and were surprised at being able to recognise three different varieties of this little white flower that we had , on a previous walk, seen blooming at Candlemas on 2nd February! The day was dull and cool but the company was good and lunch much enjoyed at the Ringlestone Inn where we were joined by some of our 'senior stones'. A walk route to be repeated later in the year when the scenery will be very much changed we decided.
The Strolling Stones walk dates planned for 2010 are available on the main calendar page here.
Next planned walk dates -
August Bank holiday (or before!) - details to follow.
Contact us for further details if you plan to join us.
If you would like to be kept informed of Strolling Stones walks in the future please provide your contact details to us at strollingstones@yahoo.co.uk
Do come along and join the Strolling Stones; the exercise is good, the company excellent and the opportunity to just 'ramble on' with friends is good for body, mind and spirit! "
Luddesdown and North Downs Way Monday 31st May
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The day started dull, dry and a little chilly but these were ideal conditions for the 12 Strolling Stones who left Holly Hill car park, near Vigo, to set out along the North Downs Way and through long stretches of ancient woodland which, until a couple of weeks ago, would have been carpeted with bluebells. Evidence of high winds, possibly as long ago as the 'hurricane' of 1987, could be seen as huge rotting trees lay at the sides of the path in places, complete with roots fixed into massive slabs of chalk, flint and soil ripped out of the ground as the trees fell.
The path took us through wildflower meadows and fields of the bright green shoots of new crops until we reached Upper Bush where we joined the Weald Way which took us to Lower Luddesdown. Here we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the Golden Lion pub and, well fed, watered and rested, we resumed our walk along the Weald Way, past Luddesdown church and through some beautiful undulating countryside with skylarks singing overhead. A final rather steep climb was not so welcome after some 7 miles walking but the sight of the car park half a mile later certainly was!
A really lovely day in the Kentish countryside.
Sevenoaks wildlife reserve - Easter Monday
Easter Monday was dry despite a weather forecast that suggested showers. Five full cars set off from the Church to meet up at the wildlife reserve . Some of us walked round the West lake but it was not suitable for Jenny and Craig to push the buggy as this path was somewhat muddy in places but baby Gabrielle was not at all concerned and slept the whole time! Others walked on drier paths around the East lake stopping to observe the birds and waterfowl along the way. Holly spotted some badgers too. We strolled at a gentle pace and enjoyed each others company, sharing some laughs along the way. We all met at the visitor's centre and drove in convoy to the Woodman pub where we were joined by some others to share some excellent food and fun together.
New Year's Walk 2010 Chiddingstone - January 3nd
A small band of hardy Strolling Stones, keen to walk off some of the excesses of Christmas, braved a very chilly January morning to walk the footpaths around the villages of Chiddingstone and Bough Beech. The ground had a light dusting of snow and a hard frost had added to the wintry scene, freezing all the ponds and ditches along the way, but making the scenery beautiful under a brilliant blue sky. Lunch was enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf in Bough Beech where we were joined by a few other members of the Strollers who didn't fancy the cold (although some did have a good excuse!). Never mind, plenty more dates in the calendar for 2010...see you next time! After lunch the walkers had another 45 minute stroll back to Chiddingstone and spent some time looking round the clearly well loved church before walking the short distance to see the Chiding Stone, a local landmark now maintained by the National Trust. Much banter took place over the supposed history of the stone's use but the cold weather soon drove us all to the local tea shop for a warming cuppa before setting off for home. A lovely start to the New Year!
