19 December 2013 - A tiny Krawl and a large lunch. Perfect
sunny weather was the order of the day for our short, 3 & half mile Christmas krawl over Hayes Common. Very
wet underfoot, but no one fell over. Fifteen gathered in Blackheath Harriers garden for mulled wine prior to
the off and we were all pleased to see Peter back enjoying the walk. Once we arrived back the beer and wine
were flowing before a jolly good meal of roast beef complete with all the trimmings. The chef, Peter Allen was
aided by his daughter and their efforts were much appreciated. Can we do this again was commented by more than
one krawler. President Dick supplied a most enjoyable walnut liquor, we he had 'brewed' himself, to round
off the festive proceedings.
Present: Dick (President), BN, Dave W, Jim, Dave C & guest Ken
Daniel, Chris, Ken, Phil, Anthony, Roger, Fred, John, Dave A, Colin & Peter E (16)
Apologies: Rae, Harry, Dennis, Ian A, Michael T & Bonzo
(6)
Spot the difference?
28 November 2013 - Sunny Hayes & Keston. Not so sunny
but very enjoyable. Had a plan A and plan B for dining but need not have worried, as they say '...it will be OK
on the night...', it was.
No styles and no guests, so the 11 krawlers set off from the Blackheath club car
park at 10:15 to make their way to The Greyhound via Hayes Farm. Nice wide paths allowed us to walk
side-by-side instead of single file. Ken joined us and all twelve strolled back to the club grounds, changed
and wandered up to the New Inn. There had been some concern as to the suitability of the venue as the initial
staff contact was not that friendly. As it turned out the table location, service and food was good and enjoyed
by all. Might use them again was the joint opinion. Distance was approx 6 + 1
1/2.
Present: BN (President), Dave A, Dave W, Dave C, Jim, Harry, Roger,
Chris, Colin, Fred, Rae and Ken (12)
Apologies: Dick, Peter E, Phil, Ian A, Michael T, Bonz. John & Peter W
(7)
27 October 2013 - The men were well outnumbered by the
Ladies on our Krawl around Eynsford & Farningham. Fine, almost spring like, weather greeted a fine
gathering which numbered 28 in total. Dave A had organised a very pleasant krawl at relatively short
notice which proved very popular. The half-way house, The
Lion Hotel, coped very efficiently with a rather large
order of drinks which were taken outside overlooking the river. A roast lunch rounded off the day
at The Malt Shovel which proved to be good value. The krawled was around 5 miles to the half-way
and a further mile to lunch.
Present: Dave Appleton (President) & Annie, BN & Terri,
Annie & Nancy, Jayne & Janice + Molly, Roger & Doff + Martin & Sarah, Trish, Fred &
PohLeng, Anthony & Jan, Rae & Sjoukje, Ken & Jackie, Chris & Sue, Dave & Rita, Hazel, Peter
& Judy (24 Krawled & 28 dined)
Apologies: John, Jim, Phil, Dave C, Dick, Colin, Harry, Michael T,
Dennis & Liz & Kate
26 September 2013 - High Elms... What started as an overcast
cool morning blossomed into a lovely krawling day. President, Jim, had sorted out a fine route which took many
on paths that they had not walked before: Farnborough village to high Elms and onto Downe. With military
precision we arrived at The Queens
Head at 5 seconds to midday, enjoyed a pint and set
off for the Change of Horses. A very good value and enjoyable meal rounded off the day. Both hostelry's gave us
a warm welcome and good service, all in contrast to last month. Great day except the GPS played up, just
under 6 miles plus another two.
Present: Jim Barker (President), BN, Dave C, Roger, Chris, Dave W,
Fred, Mike T & Howard and Colin were joined by Ken & Dick for lunch (12 in total)
Apologies: Brian, Phil, Ponti, Rae, John, Harry, Peter W, Ian A,
Bonzo, Apples - Peter E joined us at the off, walked a mile and then
retired...
22 August 2013 - Joyden's delight... After days of warm sunshine we were greeted with rain! Never mind,
a gallant six set off to shelter in the woods of Joyden... Peter Eade had dropped in to see us off before
departing with a young lady...
We did about 4.5 miles of an undulating course that everyone
said '...would make a fine krawl in the spring...' We arrived at The White Star at about 10 to twelve, had a
swiftish pint before going of on the second leg around the river Cray. by which time it had stopped raining,
more or less. Having visited the children's playground we made our way back to the White Star to find Ken
waiting for us. We had done a further 2 miles, so, 6.5 for the day.
A reasonable meal at a reasonable price was marred by an
indifferent manageress, who refused to replace an empty bottle with a new one, 'you have to get it at the bar.'
Shame. We drank the health of our missing, mostly on holiday, friends and drank to Fred, several times, as he
was still in hospital. Another good day even in the rain!
Present: John Berry (President), Mike, Roger, Dave C, Jim, Harry and
Ken joined for lunch.
Apologies: Phil, Apples, Ponti, Chris, Colin, Dick, Bonzo, Peter W,
Mike T, Dave W, Brian, Rae, Dennis, Ian A, Peter E & Fred (in hospital)
25 July 2013 - A Steaming Experience... it wasn't! Michael
Tyler laid on the coach, the krawl, the food, the drinks, the weather, the tour - but was let done by the
Kent & East Sussex Railway. The only 'steam' train of the day that wasn't was our previously booked, 13:00
one. Still most of us travelled in the first class compartment of the diesel drawn train. This had followed a
very easy, flat krawl that started after a short coach journey. We stopped at
the White Hart Inn for a swift pint of the local brew before taking a short walk to Northiam
station. Thence on to Tenderden and The
Cedars where Michael's son, Simon, had laid on a
substantial meal. We then had a pleasant tour of the estate, gardens, vehicles and other displays... what
a great day!
Present: Michael Tyler (President), Mike, Phil, Roger and son,
Martin, Ponti, Jim, Harry, Fred, Dave W, John, Dave C, Chris, Colin and Dick joined us at the half-way (15 in
total)
Apologies: Peter E, Rae, Ken, Apples, Denis, Peter W, Ian A.
(7)
27 June 2013 - Any Windmills? Rae Smith organised a fine
krawl around Hever. No rain, not much sun but ideal walking weather. Ten met up and made there way
to The Kentish Horse for our half-way stop arriving at about five past mid-day. An enjoyable pint in the
pubs garden saw us venture forth for the relatively short walk back to The Greyhound. Ken joined us for a leisurely lunch
that was enjoyed by all.
Present: Rae Smith (President), Mike Peel, Jim Barker, Phil Draper,
Harry Sargent, Roger Counter, John Berry, Dave White, Colin Brand, Fred Spalding and Ken Mitchell for lunch.
(11 in total)
Apologies: Brian Stone, Anthony Pontifex, Chris Haines, Dave
Cordell, Dave Appleton, Dick Morley, Mike Tyler, Peter Eade and Ian Aitken (9)
.jpg "27 June 2013")
30 May 2013 - A mid-week Ladies Krawl... Lots of problems
fixing up a Sunday Krawl so we ended up on a Thursday. Twenty set off to krawl up towards Toys Hill, it
was very muddy and the going was slow, so it was decided to cut short and miss the half-way house and
substitute Chartwell's Tea Shop. This proved to be very popular and allowed us to get to The Kings Arms Hotel in good
time. A good value lunch was enjoyed along with good banter and the Ladies were given a warm
welcome by the President.
Present: Ken (President) & Jackie, Mike &
Terri, Fred, John, Tracy & Pauline, Apples, Dick & Trish, Chris & Sue, Dave & Rita,
Mike & Diana, Ray & Chris, Kate & Hazel, Annie & Nancy, Sjouke (24 - 23 dined)
Apologies: Anthony Pontifex, Phil Draper, Roger Counter, Rae Smith,
Peter Eade, Harry Sargent, Dave Cordell, Denis Cooper, Peter Ward, Jayne & Molly.
25 April 2013 - Up the Kreek again... Ten fit and energetic krawlers
assembled in the welcoming sunshine on the front drive of President Peter W's beautiful Georgian house in
Faversham. After casting off sweaters and jackets and with two members even exposing their knees, we set off on
a similar route to last year's creek walk. This time however we undertook the walk in the reverse direction.
This had the welcome impact of putting the halfway house, Shipwrights Arms, just over an hour into the
walk! We arrived there 6 minutes after opening time - the delay being due to an interesting diversion to the
old gunpowder factory and a few minutes spent chatting to a TV film crew who were shooting in the boatyard.
After an extremely pleasant pint from a selection of 6 real ales, we had to stop for a second as we had
forgotten to drink a toast to the absent BN! Sitting in the sunny pub garden we could have dallied longer but
the creek beckoned. President for the day Peter had organized things well with sun shining, a gentle breeze
(and no hills commented Chris Haines) we also saw the creek with the tide right up and a few boats out and
about. By the time we completed the circuit to Peter's we were more than ready for further refreshment. A short
walk into picturesque Faversham brought us to the Anchor, where the president had arranged a
splendid roast pork meal. Absent members were suitably toasted (a number of
times!) Apples
Present: Peter Ward (President), Dave Cordell, Michael Tyler, Phil Draper,
John Berry, Chris Haines, Roger Counter, Dave Appleton, Fred Spalding, & Rae Smith - 10 krawled
Apologies: Jim Barker, Harry Sargent, Dave White, Colin Brand, Ian Aiken,
Dennis Copper, Ken Mitchell, Peter Eade, Anthony Ponifex and Mike Peel (ill) (10).
28 March 2013 - A Krawl in deeper Kent... Herewith a couple of photos
from the Krawl. They all look as if they are on the conning tower of a wooden submarine. This was the Look Out
at Perry Wood.
Nice walk but the lunch, at the Rose & Crown, was pretty mediocre and as
we arrived at 1.50 instead of 1.30, and they stop serving food at 2pm (I thought it was 3pm) we nearly
didn't get any lunch. This was the employee speaking. The landlady then appeared and smoothed some ruffled
feathers. John Berry introduced his guest, Harry Sargent, and proposed him as a new member.
The halfway house, The White
Lion, at Selling was very good with a charming landlady and
worth a lunch in the future. Everybody enjoyed the Krawl and it was about 5 1/2
miles. Anthony
Present: Anthony Pontifex (President), Phil Draper (walk only), Dave White,
Fred Spalding, Roger Counter, Michael Tyler, Chris Haines, John Berry & Harry Sargent, Peter Ward and Dave
Cordell - 11 krawled.
Apologies: Dave Appleton, Jim Barker, Colin Brand, Ken Mitchell, Brian Stone,
Ian Aitken, Rae Smith, Peter Eade and Mike Peel (ill) (9).
28 February 2013 - A Krawl in Knowle Park... Only 2c with a very sharp
wind and an overcast sky did not deter our 10 hardy krawlers. Some Pink Champers, courtesy of our President
Dave White, saw us set off at a steady pace enjoying the vistas of the park. Whilst we saw a few deer most
must have been in hiding as were other visitors. When we arrived at Knowle house we were entertained to some
interesting facts by the Pres and Phil (who is a member of the Knowle Golf club). Did you know it was/is a
calendar house? 365 rooms, 52 staircases, 7 courtyards and is the biggest house in the land. Onward
to The Buck for an
enjoyable half-way stop and then to The White
Hart for a fine lunch in good company, as
always!
Present: Dave White (President), Mike Peel, Dave Cordell, Jim
Barker, Phil Draper, John Berry, Roger Counter, Fred Spalding, Colin Brand and Peter Ward - 10 in
total.
Apologies: Rae Smith, Brian Stone, Chris Haines, Ken Mitchell, Ian
Aitken, Dick Morley, Bonzo, Ian Laurie, Peter Eade, Mike Tyler, Denis Cooper, Dave Appleton & Tony Pontifex
(13).
31 January 2013 - A Krawl up to Downe... After the very cold
snowy weather and thaw we were fully expecting a muddy krawl, and we got it! Not withstanding, we had a
very enjoyable time notching up 6.7 miles in total. The halfway house, The Queens Head, served a good pint and we repined
in their comfy chairs. The King's Arms greeted us well and we had a substantial meal, good wine and a reasonable bill at the
end, so all-in-all a good day was had. Phil Draper was presented with his badge and Colin Brand with his
replacement badge.
Present: Colin Brand (President), Dave White, Phil Draper, Jim
Barker, Anthony Pontifex, Mike Peel, Roger Counter, Dave Cordell, John Berry, Dave Appleton, Chris Haines, Ian
Aitken; Peter Eade joined at the half-way and Ken Mitchell for lunch, so, 12+2 made 14.
Apologies: Dick Morley, Fred Spalding, Rae Smith, Bonzo and Brian
Stone.
