11 of us alighted from the train, and after introductions most set off the wrong way ! They soon realised their mistake and caught up with the four of us who (smugly) followed the written directions.

Today's walk consisted mostly of big fields and big skies, with some nice views. As for the weather, it was overcast with occasional sunshine-dry-and-very-mild, pleasant walking conditions. The mud was manageable and less than expected: the only challenging bit was on the Weald Way as we approached Sole Street towards walk-end.

Just two of us stopped at the Ship Inn at Southfleet, to enjoy a good lunch - and an excellent pint of Timmy Taylors. One of the sandwichers joined us for a pint, and the other sandwichers dined near the church. The sandwichers - apart from the pub visitor - set off well before the pub diners had finished their meals - presumably they caught the 16-32 service at Sole Street if they stopped for walk-end refreshments. The faster pub diner probably caught up with the others, but the two back markers took the afternoon more steadily and were in good time for the 17-02 service - except it was (eventually) cancelled after the usual shenanigans - posted as a few minutes late, then a few more, then delayed, and after another ten minutes - cancelled - and bollocks to the world ! So we retired to the Railway Inn, and returned to the platform for the 17-32 service, which arrived on time. It was full, but we found seats.

A pleasant day's walking. En route there were some excellent displays of wild daffodils, plenty of crocuses and some late snowdrops plus many more early Spring flowers to add to the pleasure of the walk. Nice company today, too ! But where were you all last week in the rain at Box Hill ?

As one of those who wrongly crossed over to the London platform, having misunderstood the first few words of the directions (exit the London train platform), I can fill in a few missing details. We (the picnickers) did indeed eat in the grounds of St Nicholas's Church. After lunch, we had a little difficulty finding our way to the "scrappy field" in Southfleet, so decided to walk along New Barn Road and down the hill to Brakefield Road, instead. Despite these navigational hiccups, we got to Sole Street at about 2.35 p.m. Thinking we had just missed a train, we were about to make our way to the Railway Inn, when one of our number noticed that the 14.32 train was in fact running 20 minutes late. Three of us waited for the train, while the other two, who had planned to do an extra 2½ mile loop, sought refreshments beforehand in said Railway Inn.

There's an extra return train at 17:02

A whopping 24 turned out for this walk on a sunny day. Everyone seemed to find the walk much more scenic than the website description suggests, but it's definitely the walk for you if you like pylons!

About half the group lunched at the Ship, which got a good report. Nearly all the others dropped in for coffee or a beer after having our sandwiches at various sunny spots in the churchyard. The group I was with got a bit confused after lunch and found ourselves at the Manor Farm Barn by accident. Several popped into the farm shop there. Apparently we missed the gruesome sight of many "dead" mannequins piled up on the other side of a fence on the path we should have taken - had they been making a zombie film?

On along some more tarmac-heavy sections until we were rewarded with a very beautiful final section along the Weald Way. My group got to Sole Street about 10 minutes before the 1532 train. There we met an advance party who had had time for a pint at the Railway Inn, and more and more walkers streamed on to the platform as the train approached, so I think most of the group made that train. Thanks for a great day.

The walk notes need some serious revision including paragraph numbers and the elimination of two pubs one of which is closed and boarded up and the Wheatsheaf is a private house.The Ship is the recommended lunch stop and has an excellent menu at all price points, a beautiful conservatory restaurant and excellent service. I can recommend the prawn ms in red pesto with pappardelle pasta and it was well worth booking our table of 10 to sit together in comfort and convivial company for group cohesion.

20 refugees from the New Year's Day weather on this walk, including 2 late starters who caught us at lunch - all enjoying unbroken sunshine . Any walk would have looked glorious on such a day, and this was indeed a fine day out. The rolling scenery had some fine vistas and charming corners.

Set against this were lots of big arable fields where clinging clay rapidly doubled boot weights, and more than a few electricity pylons. Paths across several of the arable fields had not been reinstated after ploughing or crop sowing, so might well not be passable in summer. On several occasion we used the GPX to resolve head-scratching over the directions.

We opted for the last of the pubs for lunch - Manor Farm Barn which was huge, modern, pleasant and efficient (though a little disappointed, I think, when we opted to order from the bar depriving the waiting staff of expected tips). We finished as a crescent moon and Venus arose in the clear night sky. The guard on the train said he had never seen so many people get on at Sole Street.

Intend going.

There's at least 2 doing the earlier train/longer option...

I may do 2-17a (same train) and meet the group for tea in Sole Street

12 (5 on early train/extension)

W= bright_and_unseasonably_warm

Given the mixed reviews this walk was a very pleasant surprise! This walk was a lovely wander though the fields and villages of this not-so-distance part of Kent. The previously "impassable" sections were all perfectly navigable and most of the field crossings were clearly marked.

Lunch was at the second Ship Inn at Southfleet. Food was the usual good pub selection and we finished off with a couple of drinks at The Railway Inn next to the station at Sole Street.

An impressively active day given that it's one of the shortest of the year.

Thanks everyone for another fantastic day out!