Methinks republicans should avoid the alternative ending in East Malling. There can't be that many pubs called the King & Queen and the one in this village will doubtless be having some sort of royalist celebration.

4 on this lovely walk with bluebells, apple blossom and wild garlic in flower and mostly only light rain. One dined at the Tickled Trout where a soggy barbecue was in progress. One walker finished at Maidstone, two at West Malling (in time to catch some of the heavier rain), and one was last seen on the outskirts of Teston, onward route unknown.

14 at the start of this walk, but we later overhauled one more who had got an earlier train and started at West Malling. So 15 .

There was lots of dense coppiced chestnut early in this walk, which was perhaps not that scenic, but provided welcome shade on this blazing hot day; also nice greenery in a landscape all too dominated by golds and browns due to the drought. There were lots of blackberries to pick.

The North Pole seemed too early for lunch so we pushed on to the Railway Inn at Wateringbury - which was not doing food. A sign promising “wining and dining” at the Rambler’s Rest cafe over the bridge boiled down to burger and chips and tea, so we snubbed that and carried on to West Farleigh.

The Tickled Trout here is definitely a bit snooty. First, we could not eat in the garden, only on a gloomy shady terrace or by a busy road. Second, prices were astronomical. My pie and mash and pint came to £28. I suppose this is the inflation we all have to get used to. Around half of us ate here. My food at least was nice when it came.

The afternoon is a bit of a blur. This is a characterful and scenic part of Kent, with many points of interest outlined in the notes (including a linseed oil mill and the place cricket balls used to be manufactured) but my brain was melting a bit. At one point we passed a hedgerow full of damsons (or bullaces? Not ripe anyway). There was talk of stopping at the North Pole for tea, but its garden did not look that nice and there were some bikers there, so we pushed on. (There is climate change joke struggling to get out here, but as you can see it has failed to crystallise…)

Towards the end, our walk author, who had put up with us completely ignoring his carefully written walk instructions and instead letting him lead us, left us to return to his car at East Malling. We carried on to West Malling, a nice section with orchards groaning with apples and a big set-aside field where about fifty white butterflies were feeding on (yellow) charlock and (pink) wild radish flowers.

Tea at a park cafe was promised, which sounded nice, but it was shutting at 4.45pm when the advance party passed. After its pretty park, West Malling was a very well-set town, with grand houses, but its high street pubs were in party mode (one even had a bouncer). So six or seven of us ended up in Costa - unromantic but with nice tea and cakes. We then caught whatever time train we caught - I always forget to note such things - escaping gratefully from a very eager wasp on the platform.

Seven assembled on the platform at East Malling under cloudy skies soon followed by a torrential downpour . A late starter caught up with us while we were exploring the Nettlestead churchyard, making for 8 on this relaxing Sunday outing. Fortunately, the initial downpour did not last too long and we enjoyed some brighter spells during the morning route through various orchards -- some with blossom but many now into full leaf. A real surprise in the morning was a vast display of bluebells looking very fine in Cattering Wood. The route then descends to follow the Medway for a spell before lunch. Along this stretch we encountered some newly arrived foals -- looking all legs....Some intel gathered on the train indicated that the pub had plenty of space in their garden, so rather than trying to picnic in another deluge from the heavens, all enjoyed a pub lunch trying to squeeze under the umbrellas on their tables....It was one of the longest and most steady downpours, I have ever encountered in this country.....and a slightly surreal experience to spend an hour eating a fine roast lunch under a slightly small umbrella in the midst of such steady rain....but at least we had an umbrella and were not actually walking or picnicking during this time.....

Over lunch options were discussed, including a train station in East Fairleigh....However, towards the end of the meal, the rain lightened a bit and two set off for Yalding while the rest carried on to Maidstone. The route to Yalding was pleasant with nice views on the descent from the Greensand Ridge. In Yalding, we had a late afternoon "tea stop" at the pub on the river under a much more substantial canopy and light shower. We then decided to walk along to Beltring along a quiet and rural stretch of the Medway with some sunny spells. For research purposes, we diverted to the pub in Laddingford which is a 15 minute walk from the delightfully remote Beltring station (about 800 meters of which is on a reasonably quiet road).

A few walkers are intending to end the walk at East Farleigh (making the total distance about 9 miles or 14 km.

If you are considering this option, you will have some company.

Thanks for suggesting. Hope to join this short option

The down-beat weather forecast was for once accurate: periods of bright sunshine alternating with heavy rain showers met our group of 26 walkers as we set off from East Malling (that's pronounced 'mauling' as the locals were quick to correct).

No sign of any blossom on the trees in the orchards en route but we were treated to the occasional patch of perky bluebells, fresh spring growth all around, rain freshened air and an invigorating herbaceous scent.

Changeable weather meant the lunch stop at the Tickled Trout was once again taken inside - one of our number having the foresight to phone ahead and book a table for twelve.

The afternoon's effort a very pleasant stretch along the banks of the river Medway, through Farleigh to our final destination where a breakaway group of two set off to check out the local Harvey's pub (The Pilot Arms - the only Harvey's pub in Kent), stopping briefly in The Society Rooms (a Wetherspoons pub) close the railway station. How did the rest of the group fare? Were there cakes to be had?

A new walk thoroughly tested - special thanks to the author.

Old friends reunited and friendships made anew.

Those who were at Maidstone East station a bit early for the 16.29 would have been treated to the sight of the steam train The Northern Belle pulling in to drop of passengers before continuing on her way. She was on a day long tour of the Kent countryside as a fundraiser for the Heart of Kent Hospice.

Just to add to comments of this very pretty walk, a group of three discovered a very nice open air tea stop at Little Fant Farm. It's after East Farleigh on the section of the route that loops away from the river and it's a delightful spot with great views. It's usually only open on Sundays plus other odd days, including every day over the forthcoming half term holidays - we were lucky that it was being used as a wedding venue on Saturday. Teas, coffee, home made cakes, savouries, lambs, piggies, and little bridesmaids in wellington boots.