Some things I have learned on The Saxon Shore Way
Back in the Summer I ordered a book about The Saxon Shore Way, a path winding through Southern England from Gravesend to Hastings. I wrote about my plan to walk it in sections here: A Crazy Plan
I’ve now planned and walked 4 sections, covering just over 66 miles (it’s 163 miles in total).
Now I’m not an experienced walker at all, so it’s been a bit of a learning curve.
These are some of the things I’ve discovered so far:
Be prepared
I mean I am sure that’s obvious! If you’re setting out to walk 20 miles in an unknown area, you need to be a bit prepared.
This is how I prepare for each section
Read the guidebook and look at the map of the section. I try to get a feel of what the route will be like. Some bits have been fairly urban, some parts along the estuary, through industrial estates and across farmland.
Check the weather- this informs whether I’ll go on a particular day and what I’ll wear. I don’t mind a bit of rain, but I draw the line at gale force winds and torrential downpours. It’s meant to be enjoyable!
Book train travel- I’ve got a railcard so it’s cheaper if I book in advance. I’ve been travelling to the start of a section by train and then walking to the next station to head home.
Pack a bag. I always take snacks (mainly tribe bars). I also pack my portable power bank for my mobile phone. My phone won’t last all the way home if I use the map and take photos all day. Lip balm is an essential for me. As is a buff, mainly used to wipe my nose currently. Sorry, that’s a bit gross. But true. Could also be used to keep warm if needed. Depending on the forecast I might also pack a cap, sunglasses, water, suncream, gloves and light waterproof jacket. I’m sure as it gets colder I’ll pack more clothing options. I’ve also got a foil blanket in my bag (that goes back to days of running ultramarathons) and a five pound note (once a Brownie, always a Brownie- I’m surprised there’s not string and a safety pin in there)
Dress appropriately, layers are good. I also found that full length bottoms were handy when the path was overgrown with nettles. Footwear needs to be comfortable and grippy, I’ve been wearing some trail running shoes. My best buy has been some decathlon hiking trousers, much better than the leggings I had been wearing.
Double check your plans. For leg 3, I thought it was about 11.5 miles. I’d actually missed a bit out when I was adding up the distance and it was closer to 18 miles! Whoops! This meant my garmin ran out of charge and I had to use Strava on my phone to record the final section. Luckily I’ve walked further before so the distance wasn’t an issue and I had my snacks. I was very grateful that there was a cafe and toilet in the station when I got there!
Using my bag strap to carry my outer layer!
Expect the unexpected
I thought that by planning each section I’d mitigate all the unforeseen outcomes. But, alas no.
I think in my head I’d be walking through the Kent countryside, stopping for tea at cute tearooms. This was not the case in general. For long stretches there was nothing except maybe a few birds or a couple of sheep. No tearooms also meant no toilets. So I had to embrace the ‘wild wee’ a couple of times. Not sure I have any tips for that.
At least once on each section I’ve had to make a detour, usually because the path was blocked or not visible. I’ve climbed through fences and jumped over ditches to get back on track. Sometimes you have to walk on and rejoin the path later. That’s why it’s useful to have a physical map as well as one on your phone. The book was written a while ago and the path has altered due to developments and landowners trying to prevent walkers going over their land.
I’ve seen so much wildlife, primarily birds (herons, egrets, reed buntings, Cetti’s warbler, goldfinches, robins, long tailed tits and oyster catchers amongst others. Yes I did use the Merlin app). I’ve also seen lots of dogs being walked and farm animals. I’ve also seen signs for ‘loose dogs in the yard’ and ‘bull in the field’. Last time I was walking there were a bunch (herd is probably the correct word) of skittish cows running along and adjacent to the path. I really wish I hadn’t read that cows can kill you. I was relieved to get through unscathed.
They look fine here, but who knows what they are capable of?
Things won’t always be what they seem, Bessie’s Lane was not a lane at all. It was a recently ploughed field. It was really uneven and a struggle to get across! In fact fields can be the trickiest thing to navigate, especially if there isn’t a clear path marked. It can be a case of aiming in the right direction and looking for the exit point on the far side.
Accept help!
I’ve not seen many people while I have been walking at all. On one occasion I think I walked for 4 hours without seeing another human. Luckily though I seem to have come across people just when I needed them most.
Example 1.
I was following another walker and the route was meant to go down the side of a garage. He turned around and let me know that the route was not passable, so I didn’t put myself in danger by trying to find a way through. I then followed him for a couple of kilometers, including the detour and he stopped to check that I crossed a ditch safely. He then sped off into the distance.
Example 2.
I was crossing some farmland I turned left after the gate rather than before the gate. That meant climbing up and down a gully to avoid the NO ENTRY sign on the farm gate. At that moment a passing driver stopped to tell me that if I followed the road it would join the path (which I had just worked out!). It was nice to have some reassurance.
Example 3.
I was standing in an industrial estate unit, desperately looking for the path. Luckily for me the lady in the office came out to show me that in fact the path was hidden behind some parked vans and was really overgrown. I don’t think I would have seen it otherwise and I would have had to backtrack to find a way through.
I’ve felt very fortunate to have had these encounters just at the right moment. I absolutely love being independent on these walks and puzzling my way through when it becomes tricky, but sometimes a bit of reassurance goes a long way!
Take it all in
On the first leg of the walk I thought I might use the time to listen to podcasts and audiobooks but actually I’ve really enjoyed taking in the surroundings and listening to all the birds. Since then I haven’t listened to anything other that the sounds around me.
I’ve taken a fair few photos and tried to appreciate the different and changing landscapes. It’s been lovely to see the seasons changing as the months progress.
So far I have really enjoyed the challenge of following this route. It’s helped me get to know different parts of Kent that I wouldn’t otherwise visit. I’ve noted different places to go back to for a shorter walk or refreshments.
I’m looking forward to covering some more of the route, hopefully before the weather changes too much! Have you got any long walk tips?
I love this Sarah, and I'm really enjoying the photos of the walks you've been posting on Instagram! It's definitely on my list of things to do if/when I ever make the move to Kent!