A year ago today I had a cycling accident on Nightingale Lane after a day riding to Dover and to Sandwich and back on an Orchid expedition. On that day Dave and his wife Natalie found me lying in the road and called the ambulance. 7 weeks in hospital! But a big thanks to D&N obviously for doing what needed to be done. I met Dave at his home about 6pm and we walk a loop out to Nonington, Frogham, Chillenden, Goodnestone and back to the village. It had rained in the afternoon and we both thought it might shower again. It did, but only briefly, and the evening turned out to completely fine. Long shadows thrown over the fields and a lovely sunset to end the day. The walk itself took us across fields and through meadows and little pieces of woodland. We listened to the evening birdsong and watched the butterflies that are still active in the evenings. No blues but plenty of Large Skippers, Small Heaths and Meadow Browns. I also saw my first Marbled White of the season. Also saw Painted Ladies and a Comma butterfly. Along Nightingale Lane Dave showed me the spot in the road where I lay splattered. I just passed the pair of them riding out of Frogham but Dave saw me from the top of the hill and ran down. They called the ambulance and waited until it arrived. Today we also popped in to the family that live in the cottages on the hill. They also assisted and also looked after my bike and panniers etc until my family retrieved them. Big thanks for that. Coming out of Fredville Park we crossed over the Sandwich Road and walked through the fields and meadows which adjoin the Bruderhof community lands. Some footpaths have been altered here. Some suspicion of future developments perhaps. Let's hope not. Passing some orchards we popped out onto Cherry Garden Lane. This was the site of the infamous Russell murders 30 years ago. A bit grim thinking about that. The lane led us to Goodnestone Park where we once again enjoyed the views and the meadows. Naturally we popped into the Fitzwalter Arms for a pint. Good luck with the women who have taken it on. After that it was back along the lane and across the fields to Ratling before arriving back at the village. A big thanks to Dave & Natalie for what they did a year ago and to Dave for showing me this splendid loop of a walk. I hadn't been on some of these footpaths for a good long while. Also great to get these sort of gentle reminders of what we have in the vicinity.