Seal Chart

10th November 2013

    Dee arrived as Orion melted in the west and Jupiter was just a pin-prick in the blue above. Heavy rain yesterday meant a muddy trek. We drove to Ightham Mote and prepared for our walk. Dee said, where is the dog's lead? It wasn't in the car, so we drove back to Hadlow. It was still in Dee's car; then, back to Ightham Mote, and off we went, toward Seal Chart. From the Mote, turning north west, the path is a sharp 100 metre thigh-burning climb up to Raspit Hill. The Sun filtered through the rain drenched trees above the old quarry workings, and we followed the ridge to Seal Chart, splish-sploshing our way along the ancient track-way through the wood, which was once grazed by commoners, past St. Lawrence Church and school above Stone Street, and on to The Grove, where the path is cut deep with centuries of footfall. Then into woods near Wildernesse Farm, for a cup of tea. All the while, yellow-red leaves were falling through the light, and a hundred Blue tits were twittering above us.
    On to Godden Green village, then into Knole Park. The Fallow deer, peacefully grazing, stopped to watch us as we walked through the park, with Rose Ringed Parakeets, very green in the light, calling from the trees among the Rooks, and Chestnuts crunched underfoot, with some saved into our pockets. A breakfast of Pumpkin soup was taken in the sunlit wood with deer passing through. At 11am, we sat silently for 2 minutes, after a gun went off, to remember those killed in all wars.  A second shot came, and we continued breakfast. The deer didn't notice Maisie, and Maisie didn't notice the deer, so all was peaceful.
    We went out of the park at the south end and came to the Greensand Way onto the ridge. The views across the Weald were clear and fresh. The muddy undulating path made for hard work on the journey back to Ightham Mote. We met many walkers along the path - fine weather brings them out. The old farm buildings - oast houses and barns - at the Mote Farm are built of greensand stone; taken from the quarry up at Stone Street perhaps. They are such fine old buildings which belong, as so many do not.
    A good, satisfying 5 hour walk.
    Back at the car, I couldn't find the car keys! I eventually asked, after searching my bag several times, at the Ightham Mote reception. They had been handed in by a chap who found them in the car door. Oops!