Telegraph and Timeball trail
The final section of this trail runs south of Selling station and meanders across the Kent Downs south of Canterbury. This is some of the most beautiful countryside in Kent. The path includes short stretches of the Stour Valley Way, Elham Valley Way and the North Downs Way. Memories were triggered. However, the written instructions differ from the GPS route on occasion. Such confusion is especially problematic in towns. Even more difficult is the doglegs as the trail heads south and east, crossing back and forwards across two OS maps. I had to head back a few times after overshooting. This also applies to the distances recorded. My reckoning was about eight miles longer than stated. Certainly, this would be over a hundred miles. Despite the length, this was the best section: tramping across the Kent Downs in Summer. There are no shops or pubs on the route. Get it wrong and you end up without lunch so carry packed food. The Timeball, itself, is a museum commemorating a series of stations at Deal designed to send messages warning of invasion. First as semaphore, then as telegraphy! Above the building crouches a cross upon which the ball traverses up and down. Arrive late in the day and the ball can be photographed against the sun!