Rambling from Chilham to Canterbury
Trip Start
Unknown
1
Trip End
Ongoing
Chilham, England, United Kingdom
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Walk No. 28
Chilham to Canterbury.
Aching muscles, stung by nettles, and over grown pathways -- OH MY!
Steve and I are training to hike the West Highland Way in September. This was our third proper walk, and our second 11 miler. A year ago, I never would've thought I'd call myself a rambler, and actually mean it. Rambler was something that offered an appealing mystique that I never thought would apply to me.
Living in the UK, rights of passage for ramblers are being challenged; and I feel privileged to have the opportunity in this moment to explore whilst I can. The US view on tramping through someone else's land is just that, trespassing. Growing up in Texas, I wasn't even given an option to ramble because it never materialized as a possibility. I'm interested and looking forward to finding public hiking passages in the US to conquer in the future.
So far, these walks have been physical and mental challenges. Part of the allure is working towards seeing scenery that you have to earn: wheat and barley fields, apple orchards, hopps growing on vines, cows chewing on the cud, sheep grazing and all of the tiny insects that make their presence known.
Next week I'm off to Gay Paree! Looking forward to seein' the Mona Lisa grin, Eiffel Tower and eating a baguette next to the Seine!
