A walk in the woods

An unexpected day to ourselves today as our friends Al and Liz were not able to come over as planned owing to Liz being poorly. The weather looked promising so we took the opportunity to go to Toy's Hill in the west of Kent and walk through the woods to Emmetts Garden and on through Ide Hill and around the countryside along the Greensand Way.

The earlier sunshine disappeared by the time we'd reached the Toy's Hill car part, to be replaced by a sharp shower. That passed so we were able to begin our walk, firstly to Emmetts Garden for lunch.

Horrors, the Stables Tea Room was closed but fortunately a temporary winter tea room saved the bacon and we were able to refuel with soup and bread before getting on with the rest of the walk - partly through beech and oak woods like this shot and partly through open countryside. All in all, a very pleasant walk of just over 7 miles, through some great countryside and past some lovely houses nestling in the landscape including Henden Manor which is now a huge dairy farm based around an old manor house.

We finished just as the light was fading, travelling back for a well earned tea before I went off for a referees' training meeting which involved more than practice at blowing the whistle.