The Boathouse in Yalding is newish, glossy, characterless and very overpriced for what you get.

I'm ok with the Boathouse but I'll bring a snack in case we can't get in. Menu is here: https://www.boathouseyalding.co.uk/menus

I know the Huntsman and tend to agree it is a bit soulless

The other pubs in Yalding are

http://walnuttreepubyalding.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Walnut-Menu-Autumn-2020.pdf

Walnut Tree

Yalding Hill, Yalding, Maidstone ME18 6JB​

01622 814 266

http://thegeorgeyalding.co.uk/

Call 01622 814376

Typo / memory problem there

I know the Huntsman and tend to agree it is a bit soulless

Should read

I know the Boathouse and tend to agree it is a bit soulless

The Boathouse. Oh yes. I like to support rural pubs, but it is beyond bland. Antiseptic, small portions, pretentious, expensive.

Never mind about the Boathouse pub I couldn’t find any listings for trains to Yalding on the TFL website. We’re there engineering works?

Trains are as listed and a few of us are on the train to Yalding

Last of the Summer Wine

21 on a mostly sunny with some light cloud and a coolish easterly breeze .

There were some novel techniques to ensure correct social distancing

with one walker gesticulating and shouting "disperse, disperse" before leading some walkers off on the Yalding to Sutton Valance walk (and correcting shortly after)

Although the River Medway isn't as grand as the Thames, drooping willows and well mown sections of the route made the walk very pleasant and easy on the eye.

Long horn cattle were spotted as advertised.

Some picnicked and some used the pub in West Farleigh which was appreciated.

10 or so finished at Teapot island and one (maybe more) had a drink in the Boathouse

Damsons were plentiful but a bit light on apples and there was a vast area of raspberries under cover which were Verbotten

Apparently, one renegade (you know who I mean) took social distancing to

an extreme and continued on the tow path all the way to East Farleigh

where he took a mug of tea in the gardens of "The Victory"

With the possibility of more restrictions on the horizon and colder weather to come, this was a pleasant and memorable walk as we come towards the end of summer season

Approximately 13 today. (10 from Yalding, 1 early starter, and, I think, 2 from Wateringbury) The weather started sunny and cloudless clouded later but dry all day cold A prevalence of mud (slidey not sinky) all the way round. The Tickled Trout seemed to tickle the fancy of those that stopped. The ‘Cellarhead’ beer certainly tickled mine. (A dark beer, would you believe, in this day and age). Later a few stopped at Teapot Island but left early for the final push because of an ominous cloud, much preferring to freeze to death for half an hour on a cold platform than get a little bit wet. The cloud came to nothing in the end. Mercifully, a train did eventually roll in and we got on it.

thinking of doing the later start..🤔

Anyone going please?

New Year’s Day walks tend to be well-attended. SWC-ers don’t usually signal their attendance in advance, however.

Do you guys meet up at the train station to get a group ticket?

Most of us have network card and oysters of some form so we tend not to meet up for group tickets though some may welcome the opportunity. There is also a number of stations (incl Charing X Waterloo London Bridge) where people can join this train so the logistics maybe somewhat hard work

Hi Sean the publisher

Why the change of trains at Paddock Wood rather than Tonbridge as advised by the train people?

Is it easier or quicker?

Thank you

Apparently you don't have to change platforms when changing at Paddock Wood

SWC trainee transport adviser

Paddock Wood is definitely better. Same platform. At Tonbridge you have to rush from one side of the station to another.

SWC Master Transport Advisor

I think the train is actually 10.06 from Orpington, rather than 10.09

I'm going on the later start option.

Apologies, it is indeed 10:06 from Orpington. Post corrected.

Later start will do

7 - or was it 8 - off the later train met up with 20 - or was it 21 - off the earlier train to give a total of was it 28 on this dry still mild but slightly chillier than it has been sort of day. Muddy in places. The earlier group were already under the influence of several bottles of champagne and prosecco by the time the latecomers found them near Teston Bridge. The majority spent lunchtime in the Tickled Trout. Near the end, some went in the Boathouse for further refreshment, some went straight to the station.

This walk is an excellent addition to the oeuvre. It is very gentle with wonderful views and no muddy fields to cross though there is one track that seems to be somewhat waterlogged in the pm, rumour has it that there is a spring beside it at some point but this was easily managed

The inn on the canal for tea were very friendly and one of the bar staff welcomed us with the idea that we would bring a walking group in at a future date for lunch - not sure that this pub lines up nicely for lunch but is was good to be welcomed.

The Tickled Trout at lunch is somewhat poshly laid out and staffed but also very friendly and accommodating. The food seems to have met expectations as did the beer but seeing as some 8 or 9 bottles of fizz had been consumed then possibly some peoples faculties may have not been as sharp as they could be.

Teetotallers seemed very happy and their judgement was unlikely to be clouded by sparkling water or whatever

It is rumoured that one woman brought three bottles of champagne

&^%

second enjoyment of this walk and thanks to Dirk and Sean + nice idea to bring choccies for after lunch! imbibement of prosecco mid morning improved walking progress as we reached pub quite early..lovely day