Rain, 40mph winds. Judging from the forecast I though this might be a repeat of Storm Darragh two weeks ago. But no, mostly it was light winds and drips of rain . A few gusts in exposed places.

5 turned out for this walk, one on the direct train, four on the high speed. A fairly brisk pace was set for the initial climb. Conditions underfoot were not excessively muddy.

Early on we encountered a large group from some other club. We worried they might be headed for the lunch pub and so phoned to book, but we needn’t have worried: we were actually the only customers (and never saw the other group again). The pub is cosy and full of interesting decoration, the staff were friendly and the menu short but interesting. Two niggles were that they appeared not to have the heating on and did not serve hot drinks. A log fire produced minimal warmth.

Three ate, one sandwicher watched us eat (because there were no hot drinks), and one carried on without stopping. In the afternoon the four remaining carried on along the breezy downland section and down to Godmersham, the cue for some suitably Jane Austen-themed chat.

There had been some concern about finishing the walk in daylight on the shortest day of the year, but in fact we got to Chilham by 3.40pm, in time to visit the Church Mouse tea room. This is basically the old Shelly’s under a new name, but no worse for that. They had an array of mouthwatering homemade cakes but none of us had any. Instead two teacakes (one vegan), one scone and a bewildering variety of teas.

We had missed the 16.15 train by this point, so repaired to the White Horse for a drink. This had a big roaring fire and also seemed to have the heating on. We walked in the dark to the very busy 17.15 train (Where were they all coming from?) and three of us got an equally busy 12 car high speed back to Lovely St P.

In other Godmersham-related news, today (December 3) is the 48th anniversary of "Algie", Pink Floyd's giant inflatable pig, making a run for it from Battersea Power station and ending up in a farm in Godmersham.

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/pink-floyd-giant-pig-loose-over-london/

Ha! Well spotted!

Storm Darragh : I have reluctantly decided it is not worth the risk venturing out today. I will repost this walk soon.

Later: It is strikingly UN-windy here!! Grr! Wish I had gone...

2 walkers braved wet - and -windy weather on this intrepid expedition towards a very welcoming quirky country Compaases Pub where we had huge tasty meals by the open fire. The weather cleared up after 3pm giving us good views.. it was worth coming out for. We caught the 16.15pm train home.

From comments on the Chilham walk page:

Colleen:2 people enjoyed a day of brilliant sunshine blending into an afternoon of heavy-rain-showers. Most importantly the pub is up and running again and most welcoming to walkers. Some challenges in the park due to what appears to be some temporary alternate footpath arrangements. Stunning views throughout the day.

Claudia: In spite of the heavy rain in the afternoon, this was such a great walk for the day, feasible in rainy days. A point of interest being the quirky and welcoming pub at lunch, The Timber Batts Inn. The White Horse Inn in Chilham is also a great place to rest after the walk, spent there a couple of hours reading.

I was absolutely intending to go on this one, to give the walk directions a check and try out the new pub. But the forecast looked dreadful, with near constant heavy rain. This did not seem to mix well with doing walk checks (hard to write notes on paper in the wet!!), so I chickened.... I am glad the two of you enjoyed the walk and had a nice day despite the showers.

Enjoyed this walk today some lovely views and woods

Kevin

12 on this walk, on a lovely sunny and breezy day. The wind rustling the remaining leaves sounded like the sea or a waterfall. There was a bit of autumn colour but it was going fast, I would say. Some beech leaves, lots of yellow field maple and hazel on the ground. Splashes of pink and gold and yellow in the hedgerows. It was also really very mild, much milder than it ought to be in mid November. And much drier underfoot: I finished with almost no mud on my boots.

The morning was a gentle climb up grassy hillsides into remote wooded territory, with some backward views. Five of us were granted the favour of lunch at the much-garlanded pub, which despite having been thoroughly snooty about taking our booking (asking for a deposit yet) was not at all full (only two other diners I could see). We all agreed that being chosen best pub for food in the country plus their entry in the Guide Michelin has perhaps encouraged them to get a bit above their station.

The food itself was nice enough. We all had the skate, which we embraced with varying degrees of enthusiasm. With a set price for two courses it was not that expensive, but as usual in these gourmet places portions could have been larger. Is there something inherent in good food that means you only get a small dollop of mashed potato? I was the only person who remarked on this, however.

After lunch....ah, what felicity! Lovely golden light, lovely wind, lovely escarpment views. We got to Godmersham as the sun dipped below the hill and watched some poor sheep being forced to swim the Stour to get to new pasture. A nice walk along the lane in the gathering gloom into Chilham and a cosy tea at Shelly's when we got there. Then down in the dark, with a beautiful crescent moon hanging over Chilham Castle, to get the 5.14 train. (Some also got an earlier train, I guess, and some got lifts in cars).

Many thanks to Marcus for another great day.

I heard that the 9.12 train from Victoria was cancelled!. Did anyone manage to do this walk?

Yes four of us made it despite the train problems. A very pretty walk, although being Father's Day there was no chance of getting to eat in the lunchtime pub so we we ate in Chilham in The Woolpack at the end. Chilham very picturesque and well worth the visit. We managed to follow the instructions without going too far wrong. Lovely day.

4 lovely day

anyone planning to go on this walk? jfk

Me! Just booked my ticket- sc

Lovely. Hope to see you then.jfk

Sorry but journey time for me would be 3 hours each way so will walk with Kingston ramblers today

5 sunshine and light showers

Just five of us plus Dotti on the main walk, with a sixth doing a variation of the walk and meeting us, briefly, at the lunchtime pub.

It was a typical April day of sunshine interspersed with light showers, but never heavy. The walk took us through some delightful countryside with lovely views all day in this quiet, unspoilt part of Kent, with good displays of bluebells in the woods and lots of Spring flowers.

Arriving at the Compasses Inn we received a frosty, unfriendly reception initially - you should have booked - but the staff warmed to us as we sweet talked and smiled our way into the (empty) restaurant where three of us were served an excellent lunch.

Having said hello to jfk who had set off from Wye, the five of us plus dog then embarked on the afternoon leg of the walk, equally nice with more lovely views. After some gentle hills and some quiet country lanes the route took us through Godmersham Park and into the picturesque and historic village of Chilham, where tea at Shellys is de rigueur - and highly recommended (but at weekends and Bank Holidays methinks it must be very,very busy).

Our small group had a lovely day's walking and we enjoyed good banter, kind weather, excellent travel, glorious views, bluebells - and even water features, thanks to the River Stour.

Not too bad a day, then.

I cannot stress too much the need to check out pubs for lunch. This Compasses Inn is notorious and well known to Saturday Walkers for its inability to cope with any number of lunches as the kitchen is too small. Even when the pub is empty they make a huge fuss every time and woe betide you turn up early as we did on the Wye circular and they refused to even let us sit down at our booked table. The food IS excellent but you MUST BOOK and at the weekend many years ago when 25 of us turned up, the friendly publican took 4 of in his Rolls Royce to catch the group up on the Crundale Downs as it took so long to feed us and the early lunchers refused to wait. The current owners are not so accommodating. On my alternative walk my Michelin Star pub at Thursley near Witley (Edwin Lutyens village) had not ordered their calor gas in time and had no gas to cook with. Luckily 2 of us had soup and fresh bread which was delicious but we hadn't booked so didn't know of the problems.

For less affluent walkers ie those taking the slow option there seems to be a train which goes in aroundabout way to chilham.

It leaves Waterloo East at 9. 16

jfk

Sorry folks but Even with this faster train its 3 hours each way for me so Im out with the Ramblers if the minus 3 temps and fog have improved. Am still recovering from slipping over in the mud last week and gouging my hand and arm on barbed wire! Miraculously my knees were not affected which is a miracle in itself.

6 plus 1 canine

cold with sunny spells

3 arrived by car, 3 by high speed train. Lovely Winter vistas. winding paths through woods and across fields which were not as muddy as on previous walks due to the colder temperatures having solidified the earth. Some cold mists hanging low on the hills just enhanced the views and the weak sunshine was warming. lovely lunch @ the Compasses Inn, they were awarded Good Food award last year. Impressive Chilham castle, less impressive present occupant. Hot drinks and cake at Shelley's tea room which appeared to be a popular place in the upmarket centre of Chilham. Nice walk in lovely company! thanks to AD