The Viking Trail ( Continued )

 This is the return leg from Reculver back along what was once the Wantsum channel to Sandwich.

My previous picture of Reculver didn't really show the two towers, so I have included it here. 

There is a car park on the other side of the church , and an A15 sign that points to Herne bay further along the coast.

I didn't want to go to Herne bay, so I followed the road from The King Ethelbert pub, Reculver Lane.

Most of the A15 is pretty easy to follow, but this is the one bit that isn't. The A15 joins Reculver Lane at Brook Lane (1st on the left ), but it is easy to miss, I did, and ended up going the long way round through Sarr.  I know it's the correct route though because I have also cycled it from the other direction, going clockwise through Minster. There are no sign posts, not even a road sign, just a warning about a weight restricted  bridge. This lane runs alongside the River Wantsum ( which joins the Stour ), until it meets A299, where there is a reasonable cycle lane running in parallel. Most of it is a concrete base, but there are a few bits of it that is just a mud track. The next sign post is to St Nicholas at Wade at Court Road. this is another narrow country lane and it's not far to the village

 The church is a landmark of the area.

The trail goes down Manor Road, another delightful village lane, to the cross roads at A28 to Orchard Lane.

This gives an indication of how flat it is !

Orchard Lane ends up at A253. The other side of the main road there is a tiny little lane, There is a sign post, but it doesn't look like it goes anywhere, in fact there is a gate to stop cars using it. Bikes are allowed though. It takes you to Monkton, a little village, and a few miles further on, Minster. Turn right at the sign post and go past the Abbey, and follow the signpost to Cliffsend. ( Down Grinsell Hill. ) You can turn left at Sevenscore, signposted to Sandwich. This is a bit shorter , and it's downhill ! It leads to a good cycle lane that runs adjacent to Richborough Way and back to Sandwich via the Pfizer building. But if you carry on towards Cliffsend  you pass St Augustines Cross.

 Erected by the Earl of Granville in 1884, it is supposed to mark the spot where St Augustine  preached his 1st sermon to King Ethelbert in 597, bringing Christianity to S/E England. It's worth a look. If you you carry on through Cliffsend you will end up close to the Viking ship.

So that completes the circular tour. Starting and finishing at Deal it takes 4 -5 hours , depending on your fitness !

And your bike, my one is a bit old, but it's a good vintage !