Blimey! That was a close run thing. 
OK. To re-cap on some stuff about sunday for those still interested.
First up, this is an informal stroll, I'm not proposing anything other than a nice walk with a bit of learning thrown in and we'll be down there either way so there's no pressure on anyone. I won't be 'leading' because I'm not a leader - but I quite happy to bore the bottom off folks by talking ad-nauseum about my pet subject. I may even let you look at some of my books, but only if you're good.
Should you decide to join us all I ask is that you remember that you're soley responsible for yourselves and all members of your party. If you choose to bring goodies* along great, if not, no matter, 'tis up to you.
Pointy things are your own resposibility too. If you do bring something like that please keep it small & be discreet - I'd rather not aquire a reputation with our local Bill for being a threat to society especially with the new legislation that's being proposed.
Multimap this postcode: ME3 9EL and pull it up as a satellite image/map overlay. This postcode puts you over the village of Hoo St Werburgh. Scroll down a bit & you'll see the river. As I said before, the area I'm proposing to walk from is at the bottom of Vicarage Lane (right hand branch) along the sea wall & right next to the Medway.
The quickest entrance to Hoo St Werburgh village is via A228 (A2 connection is Wainscot bypass). Follow A228 signposts for Hoo, up Four Elms Hill/Ratcliff Highway. Cross 1st rundabout, go straight on past Deancourt Ridge Golf Course and turn right at second roundabout into Bell's Lane. Follow this straight on all the way down to the village & a crossroads junction. Turn left into Stoke Road, and immediately on your right you'll see a car park signposted behind the small parade of shops.
There is ample room here to park safely & I will wait here from 10 am for half an hour. At 10.30 I'll squeeze as many as possible into our car and drive down to the final location. Otherwise, walking to the river is another option but obviously that adds time and distance & may mean stuff to carry. The reason for not going further down to the boatyard in convoy is that I simply can't guarantee parking at the end of the lane and I don't want to be responsible for other people's vehicles. Of course, ultimately the choice is yours. The day will be as long as you want it to be, stay as long as you like, and leave when you feel you want to.
When it comes to eating anything that you or I may have picked, no-one will be expected to try stuff unless thay want to, but if they do then the decision and responsibility for the consequences will be entirely theirs. I want people to feel confident and comfortable about the day so if at any time you're not happy about something then please say so.
*I will be bringing a couple of litres with me for washing/cooking things. If you plan to cook it'd be an idea to do the same. I'll also bring along a little butter & oil, seasonings, couscous, stock powder - stuff like that. The kinds of things you might have with you if you were planning some backpacking cookery, nothing complicated. Obviously if anyone else whats to do something like that too, that'd be great. I will also be cooking some of my finds. No-one will be either expected or obliged to join me by sampling anything that I prepare, but if you choose to do so, as I've said above please remember that it'll be at your own risk.
Sorry if this sounds like a lot of rule type stuff, but like I say, you want to be safe and I want you to be safe, so it's necessary.
Hoping to see some of you on sunday.
OK. To re-cap on some stuff about sunday for those still interested.
First up, this is an informal stroll, I'm not proposing anything other than a nice walk with a bit of learning thrown in and we'll be down there either way so there's no pressure on anyone. I won't be 'leading' because I'm not a leader - but I quite happy to bore the bottom off folks by talking ad-nauseum about my pet subject. I may even let you look at some of my books, but only if you're good.
Should you decide to join us all I ask is that you remember that you're soley responsible for yourselves and all members of your party. If you choose to bring goodies* along great, if not, no matter, 'tis up to you.
Pointy things are your own resposibility too. If you do bring something like that please keep it small & be discreet - I'd rather not aquire a reputation with our local Bill for being a threat to society especially with the new legislation that's being proposed.
Multimap this postcode: ME3 9EL and pull it up as a satellite image/map overlay. This postcode puts you over the village of Hoo St Werburgh. Scroll down a bit & you'll see the river. As I said before, the area I'm proposing to walk from is at the bottom of Vicarage Lane (right hand branch) along the sea wall & right next to the Medway.
The quickest entrance to Hoo St Werburgh village is via A228 (A2 connection is Wainscot bypass). Follow A228 signposts for Hoo, up Four Elms Hill/Ratcliff Highway. Cross 1st rundabout, go straight on past Deancourt Ridge Golf Course and turn right at second roundabout into Bell's Lane. Follow this straight on all the way down to the village & a crossroads junction. Turn left into Stoke Road, and immediately on your right you'll see a car park signposted behind the small parade of shops.
There is ample room here to park safely & I will wait here from 10 am for half an hour. At 10.30 I'll squeeze as many as possible into our car and drive down to the final location. Otherwise, walking to the river is another option but obviously that adds time and distance & may mean stuff to carry. The reason for not going further down to the boatyard in convoy is that I simply can't guarantee parking at the end of the lane and I don't want to be responsible for other people's vehicles. Of course, ultimately the choice is yours. The day will be as long as you want it to be, stay as long as you like, and leave when you feel you want to.
When it comes to eating anything that you or I may have picked, no-one will be expected to try stuff unless thay want to, but if they do then the decision and responsibility for the consequences will be entirely theirs. I want people to feel confident and comfortable about the day so if at any time you're not happy about something then please say so.
*I will be bringing a couple of litres with me for washing/cooking things. If you plan to cook it'd be an idea to do the same. I'll also bring along a little butter & oil, seasonings, couscous, stock powder - stuff like that. The kinds of things you might have with you if you were planning some backpacking cookery, nothing complicated. Obviously if anyone else whats to do something like that too, that'd be great. I will also be cooking some of my finds. No-one will be either expected or obliged to join me by sampling anything that I prepare, but if you choose to do so, as I've said above please remember that it'll be at your own risk.
Sorry if this sounds like a lot of rule type stuff, but like I say, you want to be safe and I want you to be safe, so it's necessary.
Hoping to see some of you on sunday.
