August 5, 2014 -- Day 51, Sevenoaks, 13 miles

I never carry much cash, so I have to replenish it at ATMs fairly often. I was running low, so today Fiona, the hostess at Shaw Lodge B&B, drove me into Sevenoaks where the closest bank is located. I wandered back to Shaw Lodge following the Greensand Way through the villages of Sevenoaks Weald and Ide Hill, and then into Scords Wood, where I walked yesterday. Of the total distance, not more than a mile was along roads.

Today's walk started in Knole Park, a large (about 4 square kilometers) deer park adjacent to Sevenoaks. A large palace (or castle) sits in the center of the park and footpaths radiate away from the castle through rolling hills. I saw a few deer, but they were too distant to photograph.

 

Knole

 

The Greensand Way is a long distance footpath running through Surrey and Kent, and it passes through Knole Park. (I walked part of the Greensand Way a few days ago near Yalding.) As I neared Sevenoaks Weald, I was taken by the irony of the proximity of a festive sign and a fly tip, not 100 yards apart.

Three fly tips

 

In the same vicinity, there was a lot of farm rubble. But a trailer caught my eye because it had my initials on it -- twice. Maybe I could pull it behind the truck I found  in the weeds last week.

 

 

 

Later, I came upon a relic of a one time residence, but unlike most derelict buildings, aside from the chimney, all traces had been removed.

 

 

 

I met a few dog walkers, and some people at a pub in Sevenoaks Weald where I stopped for lunch, but generally it was a quiet day with lovely scenery and easy walking. I plan to spend the next few days here doing the same thing – strolling through the countryside of Kent, with no particular destination in mind. It doesn’t get any better than this.

© 2014 Ken Klug