16-August-2026
Steps: 32,682
Miles: 12.9
Off on tranche two. What did we learn from the first set of walks? Mainly put on a blister plaster as soon as you start to feel an issue.
We left the car at Sandwich Station to pick up later and we were off. We passed the Crispin Pub that will forever be remembered as serving the best Ploughmans which I have not stopped raving about since then. It is by the entrance bridge into town and has been there according to its own signage since 1491!
The walk was strange in many ways. As the coastal path last time was closed due to commercial interests, namely Pfizer, power plants and sites of national security interest, we did 4.5km last time round on dual carriage ways. As the map above highlights, most of today’s walk is back tracking around Pegwell Bay from Sandwich, so after at least 5-6 miles we were nigh on back in Sandwich.
The terrain was interesting though, and felt like it had not be walked in parts for a long time. We were often raised up above the flood plains, reading frequent warnings about the dangers of flooding, even if we have not seen rain in months. The ground was rock hard so the promise of exotic birds, and in the bay, seals did not really materialise. Eventually, golfers came into view, on the lesser Princes course, and then we reached the coast.
It felt very isolated, there were appropriately large flocks of Sandwich terns shrieking and fleeing as we approached, and that was about all we shared the beach with although we could see for miles. We came across an old boys swimming who assured us the sea was very warm if you did not go out too far, with his wife looking on. In time we got to Sandwich Bay, hoping for something to eat as all we had was a bottle of water each, but although lots of holiday makers and camper vans there were no café’s or pubs.
Royal St Georges Golf course came next. Its greens were like emeralds shining in the amongst the dunes and sandy coloured fairways. The white tees were often encroaching on the coastal path, and the players seemed to be sticking to a dress code of long socks, usually pale blue in colour. As for playing the course, our legs were not up for it, our clothing inappropriate and with no shots with a sight of the green, it looked like a nightmare.
By the time we reached the end of the course and associated private estate and there were no food options at all, we learnt our next significant lesson, always take food with you, as we were dreaming of Kendal Mint Cake for an energy boast and something to drink but we were left with no option apart from marching onto Deal. Eventually we reached the promenade and there were some Old Boys singing sea shanties so we passed on first opportunity for food and drink and hatched a dream of enjoying something in Deal Castle in a lovely café, giving us 90 minutes to relax, enjoy a drink and walk around. What a horror, the castle had to stay true to its heritage and had no café so there was nothing for it but to get the biggest flapjacks and sparkling apple juice and consume them on the battlements.
Deal Castle | English Heritage
The castle was built by Henry VIII in 1539 to protect the coast from the French and everyone else in Europe he upset, along with permanent structures in Walmer and another that we would of walked past if not lost to the sea. The English Heritage volunteers were excellent, talking us through the history and more memorably the shape of the castle, being a series of conjoined oval/circular structures to limit the damage from cannon fire. All told though the castle was pretty barren and was only a short visit but we were reminded of an event that we had long forgotten the tragic IRA bombing of the Marine’s music school which was in Deal where 11 soldiers lost their lives.
It was then logistics time, get train to car, car to house, house to front out of town to park the car and then ready for a bath. Our evening meal was glorious in restaurant “81” where due to calorie deficit on day, a large roast beef with all the trimmings was simply perfect. Kim enjoyed her sea bass and even treated ourselves to puddings. Another 5* restaurant, where the walking all day makes the food sublime.