A long walk in suburbia

QE2 Bridge over the estuary at Dartford

26.05.2014

Husband's birthday and our wedding anniversary - traditionally the time for a long walk along the Green Chain, bearing champagne and a picnic. The walk is about six miles. Today we were jinxed by
rail replacement services that didn't constitute an adequate or usable replacement, appalling weather and my aching limbs. Despite all of this we made merry and enjoyed watching ducklings on the Cray, swans at Crayford Ness, lots of shaggy ponies and foals on the saltmarshes, the pretty old churchyard at Erith and hearing soaring skylarks twittering above the semi industrial poppy strewn brownfields. The six mile walk takes in the ruins of Lesnes Abbey:

By which time it was raining too persistently for us to even pretend we were enjoying the great suburban outdoors, So we wended our way homeward. It was cross training enough for me, though, walking briskly, strolling cheerfully, having a laugh in the open air. An evening in the curry house and a glass of beer. Sleep recovery for me now, I think. After a little nightcap.