Bexley Station
The walk continued where we left part one - Bexley Station.
Green fields of Bexley
The walk went through fields towards the River Cray.
Fluff from a Tree
Tom strikes ahead
The path along the River Cray was very nice and surrounded by large green fields and people walking their dogs.
Five Arch Bridge
Five Arch Bridge is very famous in these parts, and dates from 1780.
Back on the River Cray
Kids swim in the River
Kids these days have no respect.
Artificial Lake on the Cray
An artificial lake was created behind the bridge, and it's home to lots of birdlife.
Swans out on the Town
A factory disguised in the trees
There's no escape from the urban landscape, but at least they tried to hide it behind some trees.
The Cray Valley
A slight walk uphill revealed the mighty Cray Valley - A little like the African plains.
The Loop goes on and on...
Only 43 miles to KIngston.
Where we came from
This sign reveals that so far we had walked 10.75 miles of the total loop, as Erith is the start of the entire loop.
Sidcup Place
We had ice-cream here. It used to be a fort, then it was council offices, and now it's a pub.
Entrance to Scadbury Park
We got lost in here, but it's very overgrown, so it wasn't our fault.
Scadbury Park is a bit wild!
The rest of the walk was through forest, with occasional glimpses of a field through the clearings.
Lovely Nettle Field
The open fields of Sidcup
Tom looks for wild animals
We have encountered wild animals (horses, sheep, cows) on every stage of the loop so far.
The pond had seen better days
Apparently kids play in this pond - with the state of kids today, I'm not surprised.
The moated Manor House
In the woods, was the remains of an old Manor House, complete with moat. It used to belong to the De Scathebury family. It's pretty weird to find it in the forest.
The road disappears into the forest
What the hell is this? - says Tom
It's a monument to William Willet
Poor William Willet, with his monument stuck in an isolated corner of Kent somewhere. He campaigned tirelessly for British Summer Time, so I'd like to thank him for those late, light nights.
The Willet Monument is in the middle of nowhere
Deep in the dark forest
There was a lot of forest walking. We went through Park Wood, and the into Petts Wood.
Entering Petts Wood
Beautiful fields with sheep in
It's not all scenic beauty on the Loop
When we left the forest, we negotiated some ugly (yet beautiful in an urban way) sewer tunnels and railway bridges.
Over the railway
We crossed 3 sets of tracks to get to Petts Wood town.
Dinner is well deserved
We had earned oursleves a great portion of Fish and Chips and Mushy Peas from this damn fine chippy.
The end station
We caught the train home, and part two of the Loop was sucessfully completed.
We leave from Petts Wood