West Kent/Sussex – Orchards, battlements and steam trains in rural Rother – 2nd April, 2023.

A wonderfully sunny spring-like day for this month's joint West Kent & Sussex walk.  A great turnout of 18, including one prospective new member, and an excitable dog, Mabel! Although very wet and muddy underfoot, we were not deterred, firstly walking through Robertsbridge to the remains of the old abbey, then on to Ewhurst Green passing hop fields and orchards. Our lunch stop was at the White Dog Inn at Ewhurst Green, overlooking Bodiam Castle in the valley below. The landlord had kindly allowed us to eat our packed lunches in the garden in return for buying a drink or two.

After lunch, we slightly re-traced our steps, to descend into the valley, crossing the heritage railway line with a train soon approaching, and on to Bodiam Castle.  Once there, we did a circuit of the castle, before continuing along the valley toward Salehurst, where some of our number decided to look in the church and then stop for drinks at the Salehurst Halt; being rewarded with some roast potatoes, crackling and a bowl of gravy!! What a way to end the walk, but we hadn't, it was a 25 minute walk back into Robertsbridge!

A superb day with a lot of new faces, thank you to everyone who made the day so enjoyable. Thanks especially to Simon Rivers for planning and leading the walk.

Colin Turner.

West Kent Co-ordinator.

 

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