Our Pre-Prandial Walk

The pre-prandial "leg" of our walk started at Keston Church, a diminutive edifice situated at the very tip of the village it serves. Incidentally, Keston is known for its connection with Wilberforce, who in Victorian times, campaigned tirelessly against the slave trade. A pleasant path took us through this part of the North Downs, and across the Greenwich Meridian, to the curiously named hamlet of Fickleshole. Here we stopped for lunch at the 16th century "White Bear" pub.

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Coming to Keston Church
Our Morning Walk to Fickleshole
Lunch at the "White Bear"

Coming to Keston Church

Many of us started our journey at London Victoria, with a fast train taking only 17 minutes to reach Bromley South. Here there was a good bus connection to Keston Church. Thus, we were soon transported from the wilds of London to the wilds of the countryside.

This pumping station has stood guard at the entrance to Victoria Station since Victorian times and has "waved goodbye" to many travellers over the years.

However, crossing the Thames, we see to the east a sky-line that is not so traditional, for it has changed a great deal in recent times. Clouds to the east, sunshine to the west. Sunshine wins out for most of the day, despite an early morning red sky!

Our Morning Walk to Fickleshole

In the morning, the first "leg" of our walk takes us across open country to Fickleshole. We savour the pleasant rolling landscape that characterises this part of the North Downs. Late autumn with lots of leaves and some muddy paths greet us on our way. We all have walking boots, so we literally take the mud in our stride. In addition, as we approach our lunch stop, we cross the Greenwich Meridian.

Keston Church, today's starting point, has stood here since late Victorian times, but also has some Norman ingredients in its fabric. This picture is taken from an old book in my possession, and the relevant copyright aspects are, I believe, reasonably explained below.

Over a century later, and Keston Church is still standing, serving not only as a place of worship, but also as the starting point of our IVC sunday walk.

Jowett cars also have their place in history, albeit a tad closer to our age. This example might belong to a car-loving church goer attending the sunday service taking place in Keston Church which looms up in the background. Apologies - I couldn't move the sun!

Here is the Jowett, broad-side on.
Behind is a mock-Tudor house whose style has probably also gone into history.

A "jackass" is a "male ass", but is also defined in the COD as a "stupid person".
We wonder what prompted this name for a lane!

Onwards we walk, ...

... negotiating the mud, and ...

... and enjoying the sunny and frosty countryside.

Later we stop for a while ...

... for a natter, ...

... to appreciate the carpet of leaves, ...

... and to take in more of the countryside.

Here we are again, still at the same spot, ...

... enjoying yet more of the landscape.

We have now advanced close to Fickleshole, but have yet to cross the Meridian. To the left of the picture is a "Viewing Field", possibly connected with the equestrian activities that have characterised many places in the Home Counties.
Anyway, here is our hiking party in glorious silhouette!

Lunch at the "White Bear"

We have finally made it across the Greenwich Meridian and reach the 16th century "White Bear" pub, centre for sunday socialising, not only in the tiny hamlet of Fickleshole, and also, no doubt, for the wider local area. I couldn't see the Food Hygiene Rating, but the fare certainly was attractive.

This white bear devotedly guards his/her inn, come rain, come shine.
Looks a bit like a panda to me - it's those black eyes!

The "White Bear", within its length, has many small rooms, beams, flagstones and open fires.

Opposite, half hidden by trees and shrubbery, is a rather time-honoured inn sign, no doubt, pointing to some previous period in the history of the "White Bear".

On leaving the hamlet, a road sign seeks to remind hikers that they may have just spent a rural gastronomical hour or so in a place with a strange name.

Copyright Aspects

The Victorian sepia picture of Keston Church is taken from the following, original, half leather-bound book in my possession.

"Greater London" by Edward Walford, 1823-1897.
Published by Cassell & Co., London, 1883-84.

I understand that, according to the law, copyright has expired in this case, since the author died in 1897 and the book itself was published between 1883 and 1884. Should anyone or any organisation deem otherwise, please could they email me using my web-site email address. In advance, thank you very much!