West Hythe to West Hougham and back.

Despite FDR's assertion that: "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself", my fear of ice on Lympne Hill could not be dismissed and led me to start my ride from the car park by West Hythe canal bridge.Along the canal to Hythe, seafront to Seabrook, Sandgate and Folkestone Harbour, passing the red telephone box,up Wear Bay Road to the Valiant Sailor, the route finally took me through Capel to West Hougham.In all, it was quite a climb (200m?).Between West Hougham and Capel, I spied a church hidden behind some farm buildings.It's porch wasn't quite visible and so one day I shall return to find if this has a timber-framed porch.The descent back to Folkestone was cold and a stop at the Kingsnorth Café, next to the Central Railway Station, for an excellent coffee and bacon roll - made with real bacon - helped me on my way.Back along the seafront I flew: "And now there came both mist and snow,And it grew wondrous cold"Was that a dead albatross, I saw? There was no wedding guest to ask, and it was probably a seagull.Retracing my route along the canal bank to West Hythe, made the ride 30 miles in total. My trusty Land Rover was waiting to take me back up the hill.

Peter