So, I start this missive correcting a minor chronological faux pas. I stayed at the Priory the evening after Chartwell but prior to seeing Leeds castle. Things just kind of blend together sometimes, what can I say.
The Priory website does a much better of summarizing the history than I would so the following few paragraphs are excerpted from the Carmelites. The first Carmelites were hermits who settled on Mt. Carmel, overlooking the port of Heifer in what is now modern-day Israel. Aylesford Priory is the principal house of the Carmelite religious order that came to Kent from the Holy Lands with crusaders in 1242. Originally a hermitic order, (they were hermits, las) after they arrived in Aylesford they became a mendicant order (an order which relies solely upon donations las). The Friars were forced from their priory in 1538, during the reformation, only to return 400 years later in 1949.
When the Carmelite family returned in the mid-20th century, they restored the tranquil gardens, built chapels and adorned them with distinguished ceramic artworks. The Friars, as the Priory is also known has been described as a “prayer in stone”.
A variety of altars and chapels 
The area was very tranquil and conducive to contemplation and reflection. Almost too conducive for this quasi pilgrim as both wifi and cell service left much to be desired. Unfortunately, one of the highlights that Bill and Rich I know were looking forward too, the Pilgrim’s supper, was unavailable that evening as there were only five people (of which we were three) staying at the facility that evening.
While they offered a box lunch to be taken in our rooms as an alternative, we opted to walk down the street to the Chequers Pub for a Guinness and steak and Ale pie.
Got to admit, I truly enjoy English Pubs. The Guinness is fresh (I will not drink Guinness in the states, it is typically served too cold, too fast and simply does not taste as good as it does in the UK) food is generally very good (I believe that cuisine in England has either been previously much maligned, or has vastly improved in the 21st century) and the people are always friendly and ready to chat. Great place to stop and rest during a long days hike or to dine once the day is done.
The next morning, as we were waiting for the taxi to carry us to Leeds Castle, three of the fattest tame ducks I have ever seen came walking up to me with the gleam of “meal ticket” in their eyes.
Given that I have a tendency to speak to animals as if they can understand me, I said “hi guys! Looks like your hungry, sorry you have struck a dry hole here.” Shortly there after the lady in the picture showed up and said “come along” to the ducks and they followed her. It was a hoot.
With that we begin to hike again in the next installment with stage 4 Lenham to Boughton (pronounced Boatun) Lees. Cheers!
Lou Hikes? 