Wednesday 18 December 2013

Wicken Fen

It really is time to catch up with this blog. So, that is the aim for the next few weeks. Therefore, posts will appear (in no particular order) from walks around London, Kentish orchards and an evening in Southwold.


Wicken Fen Windpump


Today though it is a recent sunset at Wicken Fen. One of Britain's oldest nature reserves, the land was donated to the National Trust in 1901 by Charles Rothschild. Well, I say land, it is one of very few remaining wild Fens, most having been turned over to arable land for farming.

Having got there just in time for the sunset there was only time for a short walk round part of the boardwalk prior to setting up for sunset. The sky produced some good colours before the sun dipped behind the clouds on the horizon. I was then hoping to get some photos of the old wind pump with some stars in the background but the clouds really didn't want to co-operate with that idea. Just means I'll have to go back, and next time I'll leave myself more time for a wander around the site as it looks beautiful and tranquil...



Old wind pump

New wind pump



Colours changing rapidly now...


The sun is now behind the cloud on the horizon with
just a little colour reflecting off the higher level cloud...

Old Wind pump again. I was hoping there would be stars behind it at this point.
C'est la vie...

Thursday 7 November 2013

Folkestone to Dover

Repeat after me: "I must not get so behind with my blog, I must not get so behind with my blog, I must not get so behind with my blog...

Folkestone


This walk was done at the weekend it what was some great weather for early November. A walk along the coast from Folkestone to Dover over the cliff tops and past lots of old fortifications (Napoleonic wars to WW2). A walk which I heartily recommend it was good to stretch the legs again with some friends.

Having met in Dover we got the train to Folkestone with the simple aim of walking back via the coast. The initial walk out of Folkestone took a while as we spend some time admiring various bits of the town and found a cafe doing a great deal on a cup of tea and a bacon butty. Well, it would have been rude not to stop...

Folkestone

Folkestone

Folkestone

Folkestone

Folkestone

Folkestone

Folkestone

Folkestone

Folkestone

Folkestone

Folkestone

Man o' War


Anyway, having finally got to the harbour we admired the power of the waves (and the bravery / madness of the swimmers) before girding our loins for the big climb of the day. To be fair, while the climb from sea level to the cliff tops is a bit of a slog, once you are up high there is little other climbing to do.

Martello Tower


Martello Tower

Folkestone

France on the Horizon




Next stop was the Battle of Britain Memorial - a beautiful and very moving place. Definitely worth stopping for a while. From here it is a simple walk along the coast, just keep the sea to your right until you get back to Dover. Spend as much time as you like looking at all the old WW2 emplacements of which there are several. Just watch your footing if you step off the path!






A seat with a view

WW2 gun emplacement

WW2 Sound Mirror





Group photo

Thankfully the rain missed us!

Dover

Dover

Always worth looking backwards!


Dover

Western Heights

Dover Harbour at dusk

All in all a very good walk and one I'm sure I will do again.