The Great Stour Way

National cycle route 18: 

Canterbury to Ashford

We found the cycle path at the back of Morrisons supermarket on the Wincheap side of Canterbury and headed out West on the cycle way along the Stour River.

A quite off road path, along the river, heading upstream. We admired the houses on the other side, some with curious seating by the river, many of the homes flying the St George's Flag, as it was the days of the world cup. Gardens looking delightful, either immaculately tended or overgrown in wildlife, glowing in the best of the weeks weather.

Soon we were both glowing too, as we cruised comfortable along the path to the Chartham village green, before whizzing downhill on an empty country lane to Chilham. Already we had lost the path, and ended up in the traffic on the busy A28, we pushed on up the forest lined narrow hills as the heavy traffic thundered by.

The sign for Wye, a refreshing sight as we knew we were turning left back onto the Kentish lanes and into Ashford.  Friends who hadn’t seen each other in years, we caught up with a cheap coffee by the fountain, in the centre of Ashford reminisced as we rested our legs, chatting about this and that as old friends do.  It was good to catch up after so long our lives having crossed path in Greece many years before, both of us Greek island travellers and retired skiers give-up seasons in the Alpes with knackered knees, this is the perfect exercise.  Having left my cash card in the car, and not wanting to borrow money getting the train back was out of the question, so we cycled, this time leaving central Ashford we found the path with ease, and pedalled along a series of country roads.

Going on, climbing up to Wye village, before a short stretch through Eggringe and Denge woods a traffic free path parallel with the road, high on the hill. The ridge through woodland, and farm land fields of sheep with lambs, looking down and across the valley, glimpses of the river below.  Rabbits and greenwood pecker, other birds too, although I couldn't say what they were. Spectacular views, pretty villages, and few sharp climbs to test our legs, before arriving back into Canterbury.

Overall all a lovely ride, great day, and good company, I would recommend National Cycle Route 18 - and wouldn’t mind trying it, the 65 miles or so, all the way to Tunbridge Wells, but then I might just have to get the train back!