The Stour at Sandwich

Monday was bright and set to stay dry, and J's usual online activity was not running so we had nothing scheduled. We took the opportunity to drive to Sandwich, which is a pretty little town with pleasant walks around the walls and beside the river, and has the only larger Co-op in the region, where we can stock up on our preferred (vegan) washing powder, laundry bleach, dishwasher tablets and other exciting essentials. While P popped into the Co-op, J and I stayed on the path round the walls and enjoyed watching the ducks, squirrels and passing dogs.

The photo is of the River Stour as it flows towards the nature reserve at Sandwich Bay. Its two major tributaries, the Great Stour and the Little Stour are both familiar to us: the Great Stour runs through Canterbury and a riverside path and cycle track, parts of which we walk from time to time, runs for several miles inland to Chartham, while the Little Stour originates in the Nailbourne which flows (when the water table is high enough) along the bottom of our valley. The Little Stour passes through several local villages then meanders prettily through marshlands, uniting with the Great Stour at Plucks Gutter before skirting Sandwich and eventually reaching the Straits of Dover at Pegwell Bay, which is another lovely place for occasional walks.

The extra shows the (Royal Mail) Sandwich Delivery Office - the sign always makes me smile!