Log No 320. Tue 20th May 2014 - Upchurch to Gravesend, 24 miles (4934 miles walked)

There were some drops of rain on the tent this morning while I was having breakfast but it never came to anything and when I left at 07.20 it was a much better day for walking, being mainly cloudy with sunny intervals.

It was a long walk planned for today to get across the River Medway, round the Hoo Peninsula and on to the River Thames.

The minor road from Upchurch was narrow and very busy and I was glad to be able to turn off it in Lower Rainham and take a lane through an orchard to get to Gillingham.

I met Randall in the lane and he told me the orchard had been in his family since the late 1800s and his son had just taken it over. Randall gave me a £10 donation.

I walked on the minor roads through Gillingham then went through a park to the bus terminals in Chatham.

After a quick break I got straight onto the walkway along the River Medway, it didn't go very far and I went on into Rochester to have a quick look at the Castle.

I crossed over the River Medway and headed back downstream to follow the cycleroute round the Hoo Peninsula.

This route was a bit of a compromise, there were no campsites in the area or convenient public transport links to split the walk so I had to get to Gravesend for a sensible time to get a train to Abbey Wood for the campsite there.

I was feeling tired as I walked on the minor roads through Hoo St Werburgh and I took a longer break just before I got to High Halstow, it was 12.15.

I got a second wind and pushed on, going through Cooling, the south end of Cliffe then through a sand quarry to get to the bank of the River Thames at Higham Marshes.

There was a short period of light rain which made me put my waterproofs on for the first time in days, it was far too warm for them and thankfully they were off very quickly.

I never needed another break and I walked along the embankment of the Thames and got into Gravesend at 16.20, did a quick bit of shopping before getting the train and I was at the campsite for 17.20.

24 miles in 9 hours.

Last nights campsite had very basic facilities, just one portaloo, so a long hot shower was first on the agenda.

I'm booked in here for 2 nights so it will be an easier day tomorrow with a light pack to get as far as Woolwich.