It had been over an hour since we'd left Aylesford Priory on our walk along the Augustine Camino. We'd left pavements and roadways behind and had begun to walk across muddy, waterlogged fields, past quaint farmhouses and distinctive Kentish oast houses.
Our first (and very welcome) stop was at Tyland Barn where we enjoyed hot drinks and pastries. Tyland Barn is the home of the Kent Wildlife Trust and was one of several places that I discovered on the walk and would love to visit again.
Feeling warmer and fortified after our break, we walked on to Boxley Abbey, site of a former 12th century monastery which is now a private home. The house has been on the market for several years and the asking price has been reduced from £2.25m to £1.85m.
Naturally, we only got as far as the gate to the property but we admired the quaint cottages nearby which would have housed workers or guests of the abbey and later the estate.
Our walk then continued across the Chapel Downs vineyard at Boarley Farm. Together with their Boxley and Kit's Coty sites, Boarley establishes Chapel Downs as the biggest winery in England and an emerging contender on the global wine market. I shall have to go on a wine tour and report back on this!
We soon arrived at the incredibly picturesque village of Boxley. Note the red phone box with working pay phone.
When we arrived in Boxley, our group split up and some went to enjoy packed lunches in the churchyard while the rest of us opted for lunch at the King's Arms. I enjoyed a delicious lemon and thyme linguini with marinated crispy chicken thighs. It was honestly so good that I know I have to take Stephen back there soon.
Sadly the heavens had opened while we were eating and we found the rest of our group shivering inside the church. It was not the first or last time that it rained on us that day!
We were keen to continue our walk after that, both to warm up and to work off our lunches. Our route took us across more fields and past orchards, with stunning views and a bit of sunshine too.
By this time, we'd been together for over five hours and my legs were beginning to protest each time we stopped moving. The only choice was to keep moving!
We finally arrived at our penultimate stop, the St Mary the Virgin Church in Thurnham.
Several members of the group collected their pilgrim stamps - they had been able to collect three that day. One of the women kindly let me photograph her book.
We admired the stained glass and played with a chest which required a puzzle to be solved in order to open it.
We left the church and walked to the Black Horse Inn in Thurnham where the greatest downpour of the day began. Luckily, our taxi arrived to take us back to Aylesford Priory where I'd parked my car. I'd walked 21908 steps over 9.7 miles and was very pleased with a successful day of exploring.
If my posts about this walk have piqued your interest, you might be interested in the week-long walks along the Augustine Camino. The 2024 dates are Monday 29th April – Sunday 5th May 2024 and Monday 30th September – Sunday 6th October 2024.
The walk looks interesting and I love the idea of a pilgrimage.
ReplyDeleteIt was one of those life-affirming walks! I felt so accomplished at the end!
DeleteI can imagine how invigorating this was for you, Mandy. It's the kind of thing you never forget. And if you have the stamps to prove it, how much more fun it is!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fabulous day out. I wasn't one of the ones collecting stamps but I could see how special it was for the women who were religious.
Deletea great post, Mandy, i enjoyed the text. the food definitely compensated for the wet weather, although you got the sunny shots as well. the stained glasswork was quite beautiful
ReplyDeleteThe food definitely made up for the wet weather! And yes, those patches of sunshine were glorious
DeleteThis is such a wonderful walk, and I love how walkers are able to collect little stamps along the way. I also love those stained glass windows and how the light shines through them. I find it fascinating how in the course of the day they are animated by changing light, their patterns wandering across the floor, inviting your thoughts to wander with them. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day :) Aiva from Our Crossings xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I once worked in a grand, old house that had a central stained glass window. I know what you mean about how the patterns wander through the day.
DeleteLooks like a lovely walk, but too far for me! I must read that link about this camino. We have the Camino de St Jacques de Compostele running just down the road from us - my cousin from New Zealand did it from the French Basque country, over the Pyrenees all the way to the end. This part up here links up with where that one starts before the Pyrenees. Why didn't you get any stamps, or do you have to do a much longer stretch?
ReplyDeleteThat is fascinating - I find it so interesting how they all link up. I personally wasn't collecting stamps - my motive for the walk was to explore and take photos - but those collecting managed to get 3 stamps on the day
DeleteBeautiful pictures, Mandy. I am so glad that some time you had some sun and you walked through some beautiful country. Always nice to hear that you had enjoyed lunch, food on a day like this is so important. What a walk, what a memory to keep and the pictures show that is was a wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day, Mandy.
It was a great experience, Astrid! I definitely hope to explore more this summer!
DeleteThe housing still looks excellent. I would have expected workers to be given less decent places.
ReplyDeleteIt does look excellent. I suspect it would have housed key workers - the staff houses we saw at Tyneham housed the shepherd, teachers, labourer and post office, for example. I also wonder if the houses weren't originally single storey huts that evolved into the double-storey houses they are today?
DeleteI have always wanted to do a short pilgrimage. I can see how much you have enjoyed this, Mandy
ReplyDeleteThis walk is really full of joy. I was surprised to see all the old buildings are preserved well.
ReplyDelete