Day 7 Chilham to…dare I say? We made it to Canterbury!
A day of long hills, a hot slog to the first (and only) pub, and some wonderful surprises along the way.
Chilham Castle…a private residence now. That’s a lot of floors to mop!
They love their doggoes here.Church of St Mary in Chilham. Goes back to the 7th century! The flat brown pieces in the wall are Roman tiles. We were able to crash a couple’s wedding rehearsal and listen to organ practice. What I like about these churches is that almost every one had a toy or book corner for children.This sign did not bode well…it sadly did not lie.We were greeted by a very vocal sheep…she was complaining that we hadn’t brought any food.These be oast houses. What be an oast house, ye might ask? Ask not, for I know not what for be these oast houses. Well, actually they are drying houses for hops, a primary ingredient in Ken’s favourite beverage. Dotted all over Kent.My daily flower picture.The footpath goes between 2 tall hedges to keep us out of the apple orchard. (But it didn’t! 😄)Badger hole in our path. It was about one foot in diameter. I was going to put something there for perspective for the photo but decided I liked my hand too much to risk it.The aforementioned apple orchard. With Cheery and Bunger.We will be climbing the hill just to the left of the trees. Heavy sigh.Poles are used to support hops which grow very tall.At the top.Major apple orchards. The “pickers caravans”. This family supplies almost all the fruit in southern England.Strabbie has found his family!These strawberries are grown at waist height with a drip irrigation system. Easy picking, berries are clean, and no need for good ground soil.Which way do we go?!? By this time we are hot, thirsty and hungry. Guide said there was a pub here but it lied. We asked someone who turned out to be a little drunk and kept practicing his American accent on us…and in the end told us nothing. And then we met him on his bike about 30 minutes later…he had been looking for us to tell us there was a pub at the top of the next big hill. Very strange.It was unclear if we were allowed to stand here. They could still squeeze in a sign or two if they really tried. I waved at the camera just for giggles. Yet another oast house and our first thatched roof.And 10% off for walkers.Long uphill and then…nirvana. Coach and Horses pub…yet another centuries old pub. Owner Pete has relatives in Newfoundland…and went to school for 6 months there.We head off for our last mile to Canterbury Cathedral but are intrigued by the sound of very loud and energetic calliope music…we crashed an English garden party!This is Dorothea, an air powered music player. Mick Jagger came over from the old folks home next door to combine about the noise! This is a long video but you only need to listen to a bit to get the idea. Warning…I told Ken to move his fat….Dana…another Father Don! I ran back to ask if I could have his picture. The lady who took this photo said Father Don had just been telling her about these Canadians he had met on their way to Rome and that we were “mad”. Ha ha. Not too far from the truth. But he gave us a blessing anyway.Our first view of Canterbury Cathedral through the trees. We are almost there…less than a mile!Many signs of support for Ukraine, with flags flown in towns and churchyards and private residences. Good to see.These kneelers are all hand embroidered.Water bowl for dogs on the left. Beer for Ken on the right.And so we walk through Canterbury gate and arrive at the gates of Canterbury Cathedral . The official end of our walk along the Pilgrim’s Way and shortly to be the beginning of our Via Francigena.
TerryandKenViaFrancigena2022 
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