Was in the neighbourhood and visited Herstmonceux Castle and the Observatory Science Centre (the site of the former Royal Observatory at Herstmonceux).

Built originally as a country home in the 15th century, the moated red-brick Castle is most impressive. As is the avenue of sweet chestnut trees that date from the 1700’s, the walls of the Elizabethan walled garden, and a number of sundials in the formal gardens.

In 1946 the Admiralty bought the estate for the Royal Greenwich Observatory, and it became an important scientific institution for the next 40 years (until 1993 when it was acquired by Queen’s University of Canada, and is now an International Study Centre attracting students from around the world).

The Observatory Science Centre occupies the buildings that were the site of The Royal Observatory. The tour of some of the domes and telescopes highlighted how it was a world leading astronomical site for many years, though nowadays it is at the forefront of making science accessible with an excellent range of hands-on exhibits, activities and science shows. While children need to be accompanied by adults, thankfully as an adult I was able to play with the exhibits quite happily unaccompanied (it looked like all adults, parents and grandparents were having a great time too).

It ran for a number of years, though the project has now finished (and no new merks are going to be minted) some kists remain, and a couple had merks when I completed the walk.

I found most of the kists, though some were only remains…

Each kist and merk celebrates the heritage of the place in which is it hidden. All the merks were minted by hand from lead and copper, though it was said that some were minted in gold or silver.

The kists were all very close to the path, each one had a different design, and though never completely buried they are cleverly disguised and quite easy to miss (I did find almost all of them – though some were only remains and not worth a picture, or it was too wet to get the camera out). You did get some assistance, the word ULTREIA on waymark post meant a kist was nearby.

I met one of the Southern Upland Way Rangers on my travels, and he said that hopefully something will be developed soon to replace the waymerks. I hope it does as it really added to the experience of the walk.

On therteen hills stand therteen kists
In therteen kists sit hoards o’ merks
From ilka kist tak ane awa’
Bear on the merk, wha’ kens ha’ far

[View with PicLens]

 

I was extraordinarily lucky to have only 2 brief periods of poor weather in all of the 19 days I was walking, and even that only added up to a few hours (perhaps half a day in all). It was a bit of a shame that the views were so hazy at times, but far better to be hazy due to the high temperatures that mist or fog!!

In many ways I found the Pennine Way to be a bit of a tamed beast: with the good weather, long sections of slabs, excellent sign posting even in the remotest of areas, and some unseasonally dry conditions under foot. Nevertheless 260 miles is still a bit of a trek whatever the conditions…

New header images from my Pennine Way travels

Tregothnan garden is situated at the head of the Fal Estuary and has been the home of the Boscawen family since the 1300s. It has a wonderful collection of plants including original introductions brought back from by plant hunters including William and Robert Lobb, and plants from expeditions to China and South America.

More than 100 years ago the Boscawens introduced rhododendrons, rare trees and the earliest outdoor plantings of camellias in the country. A specimen of Trachycarpus fortunei is reputed to be the tallest in the country, and they have probably the best Cork Oak (Quercus suber) specimen I have seen in the UK.

The Tregothnan estate continues to be at the forefront of plant introductions, particularly with growing its own tea – though that was not accessible on this rare open day.

More photos from Tregothnan, this trip and the trip to Cornwall last month can be found here.

I had such a good time visiting last month, I was really pleased to be back again now. I had only ever spent time down ‘in the pit’ but I was curious about the wider estate. Having a look at Google Maps and Microsoft Live Search Map gave a real insight into the evolution of the site.

David invited me to visit Dyffryn Crawnon in the Brecon Beacons for a week, and while he set about on repairs to the bunkhouse I have the opportunity to stretch my legs over a beacon or two.

The first amble was up and around the head of Dyffryn Crawnon valley, but from there I caught glimpses of Pen-y-Fan to the north and a few interesting looking mountains closer to home.

The second stroll was making my way back from Crickhowell, where David had gone to pick up the new mower. After a brief stop at the remains of the Castle I headed off to find the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal which could provide some good walking. It was very good walking, though it seemed someone had removed the plug and let all the water out.

Then it was up and over Tor-y-Foel with its views across Talybont Reservoir, back along the ridge, down into the valley and along back to the bunkhouse in time for afternoon tea – David will have to try harder to get rid of me!

The longest walk was to be to Pen-y-Fan and back, almost 20 miles up and over several mountains and through valleys. The weather was good though and with the light evenings I would have plenty of time.

The views were quite amazing, with excellent visibility. With my legs aching I decided that in order to make it back I could contour round a few of the peaks on the way to Pen-y-Fan and contoured round them – so there will be more to walk if I get invited back.

More pictures from the walks can be found here.

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Starting the final leg of the Wealdway at Gover Hill I had just 16 miles or so to get to Gravesend. The first few miles of walking was through a lovely woodland of chestnut coppice and oak standards. It had been the first be of decent production woodland I had walked through on my entire journey. It was not long however until I reached the other side and the view over to the North Downs.

Having crossed under the M20 and round a big sand pit / quarry, I was fast approaching the steep southern escarpment of the North Downs. Before I got to the bottom of the climb up I stopped next to Coldrum Stones Long Barrow.

The slope up the North Downs was steep and very overgrown, in places I had to stoop to get under branches, with no clear views to the south. The path traversed the slope at an angle and before long I was up on the wooded plateau – which was again chestnut coppice.

I had not expected such flat plateau and it was quite a way before I was out into the rolling downland I had expected, but even that dropped down gently northwards towards the River Thames – and I was once again walking along slippery paths through fields of winter wheat making my way to the pretty village of Luddesdown.

There was yet more fields of winter wheat to cross, and this final bit of the final day became a bit of a trudge. I still had to cross over the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the only thing that kept me going was whether I would catch a train! I almost did not – the path crossing over the line had been closed due to construction of a new road on the far side. I did however go round the fence and make it to the top of the embankment just in time to see a Eurostar train wizz by – it is indeed a high speed link.

That is where the good walking stopped, the path diversion took me through the roadworks – forcing me to cross the busy road 4 times to make it to the other side of the A2 and the outskirts of Gravesend. The walk into Gravesend does not do the Wealdway any justice with the route taking you alongside the main road. Having visited the town on my Kent Coast walk I quickly came to the decision that I had walked far enough and headed home.

Apart from the last 3 or so miles the Wealdway was an excellent walk, and I much enjoyed it. It was a little slippery under foot for much of the way and it was a shame that none of the bluebells were out yet – but then I did choose to walk it in late March! With a couple of alternations – like finding a different finishing point – I think it will be well worth walking again at a different time of year.

More pictures from the walk can be found here.

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