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24-04-2024, 21:30
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/eridge-to-groombridge-penultimate.html)
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It’s been over two months since my last cross-countryramble, and to say I was getting itchy feet would be an understatement.Incessant rain and waterlogged fields, both of which would have madecross-country walking perhaps not quite impossible, but certainly down rightmiserable, finally came to an end as the calendar changed into April. So lastFriday, after a week and a half of dry weather, it was finally time to dust offmy trusty walking boots, wrap up warm and head off out, back on the trail.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7HOONZWTVSVb6zWAcHvjfRx4OFzF2OELHUIH0QtjqI rAzuIOa7AAhTOiBUeq8y-0S76XCTAF_5RXOro_ZHNYimz8K9VdoaciBFwBQ_J3EvU59KbLr XTDM02k0B86s5OYJ_5PtgRIs-dmvfb4SWkCQisFRTD6F021ea_mqWVYLChHkMrc-TUIsurwBoU/w400-h225/Eridge%20station.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7HOONZWTVSVb6zWAcHvjfRx4OFzF2OELHUIH0QtjqI rAzuIOa7AAhTOiBUeq8y-0S76XCTAF_5RXOro_ZHNYimz8K9VdoaciBFwBQ_J3EvU59KbLr XTDM02k0B86s5OYJ_5PtgRIs-dmvfb4SWkCQisFRTD6F021ea_mqWVYLChHkMrc-TUIsurwBoU/s4000/Eridge%20station.jpg)
The trail concerned is the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk (TWCW), a 26-milefootpath encompassing this attractive Kenish town, that I’ve been trying tocomplete for over a year. It’s a trail I’d been keen on walking ever since Ifirst heard about it from a friend, but just over two years ago, whilstenjoying a quiet pint at Larkin’s Ale House, in Cranbrook, I came across aguidebook to this circular walk. Liking what I saw, I purchased a copy with theintention of completing this walk, but not before finishing the North Downs Way.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUClbPS8UvfzxkAPuWn1-TrmSVrl0n9IJNajyEjk1TCdoWrXw3fYpWR1qqcXK6rdbUlU5T2 f7gi9cpbrRmKYtCNoo010xRSShXMM9o595cjfcXgeciaa4g9lt 2KHiaJTFP5oih19msk314IHJ2fkl7BIKGFTmGLf1OwQb0pfbLP vy82ZtvcmxVh3-ELY/w400-h225/Solitary%20rock.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUClbPS8UvfzxkAPuWn1-TrmSVrl0n9IJNajyEjk1TCdoWrXw3fYpWR1qqcXK6rdbUlU5T2 f7gi9cpbrRmKYtCNoo010xRSShXMM9o595cjfcXgeciaa4g9lt 2KHiaJTFP5oih19msk314IHJ2fkl7BIKGFTmGLf1OwQb0pfbLP vy82ZtvcmxVh3-ELY/s4000/Solitary%20rock.jpg)
That’s a story for another day, although to set the recordstraight, I finished that particular Long-Distance Footpath in October 2022. Itwasn’t long after, that the weather changed for the worse, following the onsetof winter. This meant postponing my attempt at the TWCW until February 2023,when I walked slightly under half of the Southborough to Pembury section of thetrail. Between then, and now I completed the latter section, followed byPembury to Frant, and then Frant to Eridge.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u6oKEgeg8DK1kpa-On-dDh2O2tCZUek7_bfpo_D4Rz0w2KG_WHmirBBu_jNIjdjDWxsVh D3ACDATA0bGMfSffGbPO3jdpppE5M-U4xEdeZUNrcKoLMxXAUPJecGwF6emPF0fVNyGuPCPtunT3N0Xh lEa3Rnu4FDw61w65kDT4y5-71sPpeIrvFWDblU/w400-h220/Blue%20Bells.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u6oKEgeg8DK1kpa-On-dDh2O2tCZUek7_bfpo_D4Rz0w2KG_WHmirBBu_jNIjdjDWxsVh D3ACDATA0bGMfSffGbPO3jdpppE5M-U4xEdeZUNrcKoLMxXAUPJecGwF6emPF0fVNyGuPCPtunT3N0Xh lEa3Rnu4FDw61w65kDT4y5-71sPpeIrvFWDblU/s3680/Blue%20Bells.jpg)
That latter walk took place 10 weeks ago, but further progresswas stalled by two months of persistent rain which meant February and March werecomplete washouts. Last Friday, I picked up, from where I left off back at thestart of February, by taking the No. 29 bus to Eridge Green, crossing busy A26road, before passing the churchyard and continuing along a track to EridgeRocks. My aim was to walk the three and a half odd miles from Eridge toGroombridge, passing on the way the impressive rocky outcrops that make upHarrison’s Rocks. Despite a much-needed dry spell at the start of April, the weatheragain took a turn for the worse, with several heavy downpours, mid-afternoon.
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The rain occurred at the worst possible time imaginable,with the heavens opening whilst I was a third of the way across a rather large,and very open field, with nothing at all in the way of shelter. I could see therain saturated clouds blowing across the unprotected field in waves, but withno shelter I had to just keep going. The new hat which Mrs PBT’s bought for me,kept the rain off my head, whilst the three-quarter length coat, meant most ofmy upper body remained dry.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-teA_mslOXiSkc1zdYADojy9zDYWL_6CUdVrj9MDw8XdmW7Sk0y j6vpuOWepdSiTAkPwyMddOohjdVvU2y0ydodB2IBTAv2ViVnrp xY_tlEOqw5jHahV7qlya12RNYb9TTjwhwkUUtD_eHxmeH-aa_1XaWGVMvlDmAPd3mwgXaLSGSoIZ76TqbtidHY/w400-h270/Harrisons%20Rocks%20sign.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-teA_mslOXiSkc1zdYADojy9zDYWL_6CUdVrj9MDw8XdmW7Sk0y j6vpuOWepdSiTAkPwyMddOohjdVvU2y0ydodB2IBTAv2ViVnrp xY_tlEOqw5jHahV7qlya12RNYb9TTjwhwkUUtD_eHxmeH-aa_1XaWGVMvlDmAPd3mwgXaLSGSoIZ76TqbtidHY/s2982/Harrisons%20Rocks%20sign.jpg)
I crossed the stream at bottom of field, and then continueduphill, before reaching a metalled road which took me past some ratherattractive looking properties. The track then veered away to the left anddownhill past the intriguingly named Pinstraw Farm, before emerging through thetrees at nearby Forge Farm, into an open meadow with the Spa Valley Railway Line to theleft, and the start of the ridge formed by Harrison’s Rocks to the right. Thesetall, impressive sandstone outcrops extend a long way following the line of thevalley and are surprisingly high in places. They are popular with both novice rockscramblers, and more experienced mountaineers, including well-known climbers,such as Chris Bonningon.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZX1phYXrolRo180xcC7Cu_VrqfQtw9Qz6JysTkQwKw 9Dvfe-mmjuT8OkAzclxm0jI-WGAtxFmdMqTqMEHfHaCbdCvgAxyNofELyqrjrAbyruFNUaqbcp rUGmcYQWKSzw2jv0gwBLH4Cd4TBMXbtXDuDyqeDScY1rqOQZE5 gCUOp2Q6xDJpENGpx19ds/w400-h225/Harrisons%20Rocks.1.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZX1phYXrolRo180xcC7Cu_VrqfQtw9Qz6JysTkQwKw 9Dvfe-mmjuT8OkAzclxm0jI-WGAtxFmdMqTqMEHfHaCbdCvgAxyNofELyqrjrAbyruFNUaqbcp rUGmcYQWKSzw2jv0gwBLH4Cd4TBMXbtXDuDyqeDScY1rqOQZE5 gCUOp2Q6xDJpENGpx19ds/s4000/Harrisons%20Rocks.1.jpg)
The path followed the lien of the railway for some distance,before veering of to the right and into Birchden Wood. I hadn’t seen a singlesoul until I reached the nearby car park and toilet area, so after making useof the facilities there I headed off on the final stage of that part of thewalk. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the muddiest stretch of the entirewalk, as it followed a narrow path, hemmed in by a field of horses on one side,plus a row of back gardens on the other. By the time I reached the end, wherethe path crossed over a railway junction, my boots were caked in mud, which wasespecially annoying, seeing as I’d managed to avoid any mud up until that partof the walk.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hcLP5bq3LaOrIv07P7HJwfCI-KTglpFCGgakDi0sqF_DB1gUjcUG0Ue4jS5nyJTxTYQQGKsyQ_d h01s_Qjd1PPKGotyYXJrzcymH1BL9tgDdhV0gB3kqHF5DxiN7s 9xVoXBuMbhNyTcfRshFtTTYbUc4eCY4uxg14m4QYPGmtuxuPMV EDJhwNTQNbNE/w400-h225/Harrisons%20Rocks.%203.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hcLP5bq3LaOrIv07P7HJwfCI-KTglpFCGgakDi0sqF_DB1gUjcUG0Ue4jS5nyJTxTYQQGKsyQ_d h01s_Qjd1PPKGotyYXJrzcymH1BL9tgDdhV0gB3kqHF5DxiN7s 9xVoXBuMbhNyTcfRshFtTTYbUc4eCY4uxg14m4QYPGmtuxuPMV EDJhwNTQNbNE/s4000/Harrisons%20Rocks.%203.jpg)
Away to my right I could see Groombridge station, whilst tomy left was Birchden Junction, where the line towards London once deviated awayfrom the tracks down towards Eridge, Lewes and the south coast. It was sheerfolly closing these rail-lines, particularly as they provided usefuldiversionary routes away from the London-Brighton mainline, but this country isinfamous for poor choices and short-term decisions that made little sense at thetime, and even less looking back.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2riN-jRGHnaBGpDZXTWvcFmt2n1xgI0uisEQXSI8V1xc3mZHEJSsbsZ Rf46j2dJ8Np734EFPp4wasJQM-dbGTxjrRjRgLLvDGK92LBdhrM2bT4IHPSA60vk5FAEpS4iDokh ow9K012m9r-RokU6rBTLpQH9OgSoHM9HIZIhMAjxjO_5LAOE7XgFHy2Oo/w400-h233/Groombridge.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2riN-jRGHnaBGpDZXTWvcFmt2n1xgI0uisEQXSI8V1xc3mZHEJSsbsZ Rf46j2dJ8Np734EFPp4wasJQM-dbGTxjrRjRgLLvDGK92LBdhrM2bT4IHPSA60vk5FAEpS4iDokh ow9K012m9r-RokU6rBTLpQH9OgSoHM9HIZIhMAjxjO_5LAOE7XgFHy2Oo/s3463/Groombridge.jpg)
I’d reached Groombridge by this point and discovered that it’sa much larger village than I realised. My plan had been t call in for a quick andwell-earned pint at the Junction Inn, one of two pubs in a village which isdivided unequally between Kent and Sussex. For the record, the smallest, andoldest part of Groombridge is located on the Kent side of the river Grom, andthe picturesque, 16th Century, Crown Inn, overlooking the green, isthe better-known pub.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE6lZnpCQEPwhY5jbFMNc1e89l5r5jfNM1pudxKuG4J pASBGkMkzL4d1dDR7l_c83ixtACTQ5nC3NT6N6S6crCPl5rFAZ NP4PyjUKr2KbxFsCH0MqtCedhcHVSiF2U1Sz12QU87DEIaOJrx JNU3tpeXpQ_25545uXdBYYhEpNZWomWiz_y_3Uf17pu8k/w400-h225/Primroses.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQE6lZnpCQEPwhY5jbFMNc1e89l5r5jfNM1pudxKuG4J pASBGkMkzL4d1dDR7l_c83ixtACTQ5nC3NT6N6S6crCPl5rFAZ NP4PyjUKr2KbxFsCH0MqtCedhcHVSiF2U1Sz12QU87DEIaOJrx JNU3tpeXpQ_25545uXdBYYhEpNZWomWiz_y_3Uf17pu8k/s4000/Primroses.jpg)
The 19th Century Junction Inn, on the Sussex side,is more functional, anddown to earth, and as it is many years since my last visit there, I was keen topop inside and take a look. Unfortunately, I took a wrong turning and foundmyself heading down towards the busy B2110 Tunbridge Wells-East Grinstead road.So, with a bus due in 15 minutes, and with an hour’s wait until the next one, Iheaded for the nearby bus shelter to await the arrival of the 291 bus. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7KRlRJFpyH9x2ArhkF2-w4bqt5GIHZAr-jiQ806Up9fcyUOFO5y6Nhz3-4eEDIP_2M0hE9FJ1amyzlYWCwIlp9pDfAXL59KkWTF4JnVRK4z bgfwm9ZI-G1mKOJSvlsVSC_KJoIq3TSLIgfJj94ceuc8yRFopSoFJ3XvHsw BRj8XdQTAnl6VDXralnh4/w400-h220/Fuggles%20T%20Wells.%20G.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7KRlRJFpyH9x2ArhkF2-w4bqt5GIHZAr-jiQ806Up9fcyUOFO5y6Nhz3-4eEDIP_2M0hE9FJ1amyzlYWCwIlp9pDfAXL59KkWTF4JnVRK4z bgfwm9ZI-G1mKOJSvlsVSC_KJoIq3TSLIgfJj94ceuc8yRFopSoFJ3XvHsw BRj8XdQTAnl6VDXralnh4/s3845/Fuggles%20T%20Wells.%20G.jpg)Arrivingback in Tunbridge Wells, at the top of the town, I dived into Fuggles where Ienjoyed a very tasty and well-deserved pint of Gadd’s HPA. I exchanged a few pleasantries with Fuggles owner, Alex Grieg, before spotting Clive and Martin, two friends from CAMRA. I joined them for a pint plus a catch-up chat,that was inevitably about walking, but whilst I was tempted to stay for another,I thought it was time to be getting home, and grab a bite to eat as well.
There isnow just one section of the TWCW left to do, and that is the six mile stretch betweenGroombridge and Southborough. Weather and other commitments permitting, I aimto knock this section on the head, sooner rather than later. To be continued……………………..
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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmU3NwPV5ZKZzmOIJflq8hZGvpHA6LeTzSnSZ1YqrSe Djw_Piha0rsZNc_rCtkAmPbb66tpllo_AyOoJy4E0BxHNq_hi-GJGwGgbHmKInp5hBPb7gYyQjVCz30J72htoItBtBkz56qFz_Se b5zYbo66A9I3j6eanQ1GQEpVcizu0ATum3vbq_eV1u_Ck/w400-h225/Crown%20Groombridge.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmU3NwPV5ZKZzmOIJflq8hZGvpHA6LeTzSnSZ1YqrSe Djw_Piha0rsZNc_rCtkAmPbb66tpllo_AyOoJy4E0BxHNq_hi-GJGwGgbHmKInp5hBPb7gYyQjVCz30J72htoItBtBkz56qFz_Se b5zYbo66A9I3j6eanQ1GQEpVcizu0ATum3vbq_eV1u_Ck/s4000/Crown%20Groombridge.jpg)
It’s been over two months since my last cross-countryramble, and to say I was getting itchy feet would be an understatement.Incessant rain and waterlogged fields, both of which would have madecross-country walking perhaps not quite impossible, but certainly down rightmiserable, finally came to an end as the calendar changed into April. So lastFriday, after a week and a half of dry weather, it was finally time to dust offmy trusty walking boots, wrap up warm and head off out, back on the trail.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7HOONZWTVSVb6zWAcHvjfRx4OFzF2OELHUIH0QtjqI rAzuIOa7AAhTOiBUeq8y-0S76XCTAF_5RXOro_ZHNYimz8K9VdoaciBFwBQ_J3EvU59KbLr XTDM02k0B86s5OYJ_5PtgRIs-dmvfb4SWkCQisFRTD6F021ea_mqWVYLChHkMrc-TUIsurwBoU/w400-h225/Eridge%20station.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7HOONZWTVSVb6zWAcHvjfRx4OFzF2OELHUIH0QtjqI rAzuIOa7AAhTOiBUeq8y-0S76XCTAF_5RXOro_ZHNYimz8K9VdoaciBFwBQ_J3EvU59KbLr XTDM02k0B86s5OYJ_5PtgRIs-dmvfb4SWkCQisFRTD6F021ea_mqWVYLChHkMrc-TUIsurwBoU/s4000/Eridge%20station.jpg)
The trail concerned is the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk (TWCW), a 26-milefootpath encompassing this attractive Kenish town, that I’ve been trying tocomplete for over a year. It’s a trail I’d been keen on walking ever since Ifirst heard about it from a friend, but just over two years ago, whilstenjoying a quiet pint at Larkin’s Ale House, in Cranbrook, I came across aguidebook to this circular walk. Liking what I saw, I purchased a copy with theintention of completing this walk, but not before finishing the North Downs Way.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUClbPS8UvfzxkAPuWn1-TrmSVrl0n9IJNajyEjk1TCdoWrXw3fYpWR1qqcXK6rdbUlU5T2 f7gi9cpbrRmKYtCNoo010xRSShXMM9o595cjfcXgeciaa4g9lt 2KHiaJTFP5oih19msk314IHJ2fkl7BIKGFTmGLf1OwQb0pfbLP vy82ZtvcmxVh3-ELY/w400-h225/Solitary%20rock.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUClbPS8UvfzxkAPuWn1-TrmSVrl0n9IJNajyEjk1TCdoWrXw3fYpWR1qqcXK6rdbUlU5T2 f7gi9cpbrRmKYtCNoo010xRSShXMM9o595cjfcXgeciaa4g9lt 2KHiaJTFP5oih19msk314IHJ2fkl7BIKGFTmGLf1OwQb0pfbLP vy82ZtvcmxVh3-ELY/s4000/Solitary%20rock.jpg)
That’s a story for another day, although to set the recordstraight, I finished that particular Long-Distance Footpath in October 2022. Itwasn’t long after, that the weather changed for the worse, following the onsetof winter. This meant postponing my attempt at the TWCW until February 2023,when I walked slightly under half of the Southborough to Pembury section of thetrail. Between then, and now I completed the latter section, followed byPembury to Frant, and then Frant to Eridge.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u6oKEgeg8DK1kpa-On-dDh2O2tCZUek7_bfpo_D4Rz0w2KG_WHmirBBu_jNIjdjDWxsVh D3ACDATA0bGMfSffGbPO3jdpppE5M-U4xEdeZUNrcKoLMxXAUPJecGwF6emPF0fVNyGuPCPtunT3N0Xh lEa3Rnu4FDw61w65kDT4y5-71sPpeIrvFWDblU/w400-h220/Blue%20Bells.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u6oKEgeg8DK1kpa-On-dDh2O2tCZUek7_bfpo_D4Rz0w2KG_WHmirBBu_jNIjdjDWxsVh D3ACDATA0bGMfSffGbPO3jdpppE5M-U4xEdeZUNrcKoLMxXAUPJecGwF6emPF0fVNyGuPCPtunT3N0Xh lEa3Rnu4FDw61w65kDT4y5-71sPpeIrvFWDblU/s3680/Blue%20Bells.jpg)
That latter walk took place 10 weeks ago, but further progresswas stalled by two months of persistent rain which meant February and March werecomplete washouts. Last Friday, I picked up, from where I left off back at thestart of February, by taking the No. 29 bus to Eridge Green, crossing busy A26road, before passing the churchyard and continuing along a track to EridgeRocks. My aim was to walk the three and a half odd miles from Eridge toGroombridge, passing on the way the impressive rocky outcrops that make upHarrison’s Rocks. Despite a much-needed dry spell at the start of April, the weatheragain took a turn for the worse, with several heavy downpours, mid-afternoon.
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The rain occurred at the worst possible time imaginable,with the heavens opening whilst I was a third of the way across a rather large,and very open field, with nothing at all in the way of shelter. I could see therain saturated clouds blowing across the unprotected field in waves, but withno shelter I had to just keep going. The new hat which Mrs PBT’s bought for me,kept the rain off my head, whilst the three-quarter length coat, meant most ofmy upper body remained dry.
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I crossed the stream at bottom of field, and then continueduphill, before reaching a metalled road which took me past some ratherattractive looking properties. The track then veered away to the left anddownhill past the intriguingly named Pinstraw Farm, before emerging through thetrees at nearby Forge Farm, into an open meadow with the Spa Valley Railway Line to theleft, and the start of the ridge formed by Harrison’s Rocks to the right. Thesetall, impressive sandstone outcrops extend a long way following the line of thevalley and are surprisingly high in places. They are popular with both novice rockscramblers, and more experienced mountaineers, including well-known climbers,such as Chris Bonningon.
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The path followed the lien of the railway for some distance,before veering of to the right and into Birchden Wood. I hadn’t seen a singlesoul until I reached the nearby car park and toilet area, so after making useof the facilities there I headed off on the final stage of that part of thewalk. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the muddiest stretch of the entirewalk, as it followed a narrow path, hemmed in by a field of horses on one side,plus a row of back gardens on the other. By the time I reached the end, wherethe path crossed over a railway junction, my boots were caked in mud, which wasespecially annoying, seeing as I’d managed to avoid any mud up until that partof the walk.
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Away to my right I could see Groombridge station, whilst tomy left was Birchden Junction, where the line towards London once deviated awayfrom the tracks down towards Eridge, Lewes and the south coast. It was sheerfolly closing these rail-lines, particularly as they provided usefuldiversionary routes away from the London-Brighton mainline, but this country isinfamous for poor choices and short-term decisions that made little sense at thetime, and even less looking back.
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I’d reached Groombridge by this point and discovered that it’sa much larger village than I realised. My plan had been t call in for a quick andwell-earned pint at the Junction Inn, one of two pubs in a village which isdivided unequally between Kent and Sussex. For the record, the smallest, andoldest part of Groombridge is located on the Kent side of the river Grom, andthe picturesque, 16th Century, Crown Inn, overlooking the green, isthe better-known pub.
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The 19th Century Junction Inn, on the Sussex side,is more functional, anddown to earth, and as it is many years since my last visit there, I was keen topop inside and take a look. Unfortunately, I took a wrong turning and foundmyself heading down towards the busy B2110 Tunbridge Wells-East Grinstead road.So, with a bus due in 15 minutes, and with an hour’s wait until the next one, Iheaded for the nearby bus shelter to await the arrival of the 291 bus. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7KRlRJFpyH9x2ArhkF2-w4bqt5GIHZAr-jiQ806Up9fcyUOFO5y6Nhz3-4eEDIP_2M0hE9FJ1amyzlYWCwIlp9pDfAXL59KkWTF4JnVRK4z bgfwm9ZI-G1mKOJSvlsVSC_KJoIq3TSLIgfJj94ceuc8yRFopSoFJ3XvHsw BRj8XdQTAnl6VDXralnh4/w400-h220/Fuggles%20T%20Wells.%20G.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7KRlRJFpyH9x2ArhkF2-w4bqt5GIHZAr-jiQ806Up9fcyUOFO5y6Nhz3-4eEDIP_2M0hE9FJ1amyzlYWCwIlp9pDfAXL59KkWTF4JnVRK4z bgfwm9ZI-G1mKOJSvlsVSC_KJoIq3TSLIgfJj94ceuc8yRFopSoFJ3XvHsw BRj8XdQTAnl6VDXralnh4/s3845/Fuggles%20T%20Wells.%20G.jpg)Arrivingback in Tunbridge Wells, at the top of the town, I dived into Fuggles where Ienjoyed a very tasty and well-deserved pint of Gadd’s HPA. I exchanged a few pleasantries with Fuggles owner, Alex Grieg, before spotting Clive and Martin, two friends from CAMRA. I joined them for a pint plus a catch-up chat,that was inevitably about walking, but whilst I was tempted to stay for another,I thought it was time to be getting home, and grab a bite to eat as well.
There isnow just one section of the TWCW left to do, and that is the six mile stretch betweenGroombridge and Southborough. Weather and other commitments permitting, I aimto knock this section on the head, sooner rather than later. To be continued……………………..
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