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SEPTEMBER SIZZLER FOR WALKERS

The choir walking group made a challenging circular walk of almost five miles in Kent on September 5, with temperatures in the 80s and substantial ascents and descents.

The walkers make the initial climb out of Westerham

The walk began at the Grasshopper pub in Westerham, heading south across hilly fields and then skirting woodland to reach French Street. Next port of call was Chartwell, former home of Winston Churchill, where the group paused for a breather.

 

The walkers spent the next mile in woodland before emerging into the valley of the River Darent, skirting an iron age hillfort to the west.  Finally there was a long open stretch across farmland while the sun was at its hottest.


Tackling a challenging obstacle in Crockenhill Wood


The group reached the Grasshopper after a walk of two hours 45 minutes.  Not only had the temperature reached the 80s, but the walk involved ascents totalling more than 500 feet.  The seven hardy walkers were Jon Evans, Pete Smith, Peter Gillman, Barry O’Gorman, Chris Beckley (all basses) plus Dick Jones (tenor) and musical director Richard Hoyle, who joined the group for the first time.

Homeward stretch in the sun

 

Ian Harmer (yet another bass) joined the group at the pub, proudly displaying his new Harley Davidson Trike – the only one of its kind currently in the UK, according to Ian.

The seven walkers at Chartwell

 

Ian and his Harley Davidson Trike