So here I am, back at the bridge in Sandwich for the next leg.
The US Navy patrol boat I mentioned at the end of the last post has an information board, although why it ended up in Sandwich is a mystery…
A few yards up the bank is a small wooden building…
It turns out this is the workshop of the Sandwich Medieval Trust, which looks an interesting organisation!
Heading out of Sandwich I cross this small bridge which takes me onto the marshes.
This first section of today’s walk follows the east bank of the Stour to the sea. This does mean I have to head back north before I can continue south! Never mind, the path is good…
Over on the opposite bank I can see all the industry that the long road walk skirted past last time.
Soon the path becomes a grassy bank, still easy to walk on but interrupted by several gates where it crosses farm tracks. It’s also bloody windy out here!
There are also comforting signs such as this…
Eventually I near the sea. ‘Hooray!’ I think, but the path turns past some trees, and because it’s no longer on an embankment, becomes a bit damper…
Luckily my boots are good and my feet stay dry, and I arrive at the beach. I’m surprised to find that I have already covered four miles zigzagging around the marsh! It didn’t look that far on the map! The northernmost point is a nature reserve and cannot be accessed, so from here it is a straight line to Deal which sounds easier.
The beach here is lovely, nice firm sand to walk on backed by dune-type grassy bits. No actual dunes though, it’s all quite flat! Deal can be seen in the distance and doesn’t look too far away. This half of the walk should be a doddle! It’s still very windy, though. And now it’s blowing directly into my face!
On the landward side of the beach is a golf course. It is actually the first of three that seem to occupy most of the coast between here and Deal.
I make good progress along the sand, although there are some pebbly patches that are slower going and walking into the wind is getting a bit tiring. It takes the best part of an hour to reach the private Sandwich Bay Estate. Apparently non-residents can drive here but have to pay a toll. There is a car park with three or four cars in it, the occupants all seem to be on the beach fishing.
I am now walking along the path behind the beach as the sand has disappeared and it has become steep pebble banks. The path is also covered in pebbles and is heavy going. And seems to go on, and on, and on, featureless into the distance! Oh, and did I mention the wind? So much for my easy walk along the beach - I’m bloody knackered!
At last I reach the outskirts of Deal…
This northern end of the town is marked by the site of Sandown Castle. There is an ornamental garden and an information board. Which is nice.
From here it is only a short walk along a nice, flat prom to the pier where I am finishing today!
Right. That’s it for today. I’m off for a sit down and a coffee…!
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