Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, situated 21 miles east-southeast of Charing Cross (central London) on the south bank of the River Thames and opposite Tilbury in Essex. Located in the diocese of Rochester, it is the administrative centre of the Borough of Gravesham. Its geographical situation has given Gravesend strategic importance throughout the maritime and communications history of South East England. A Thames Gateway commuter town, it retains strong links with the River Thames, not least through the Port of London Authority Pilot Station.
Even with the one 3rd discount
afforded by my railcard, the fare from Cheshunt to Gravesend was showing as
£18.50 for a cheap day return. However, by using my oyster card I could get to
Dartford for £2.20 each way. From Dartford to Gravesend the rail fare was just
£3.45 return, totalling £7.85. I decided to put this saving to good use and
invested some of it in a cooked breakfast whilst tapping out of oyster at Dartford
before catching a later service to Gravesend.
On arrival at Gravesend, I was in
need of refreshment and with the teetotal Fridge Magnet I adjourned to The
Mole Hole for some ale whilst he scoured the local charity shops for treasure.
At this excellent micropub, situated only a short distance from where the Tilbury
ferry docks, I was able to enjoy a chat with Tales from the Riverbank
who was on a day out in Gravesend, having arrived on said ferry. Gresham Hopper
(3.7%) from Titsey Brewing Co is “a hoppy pale ale with a refreshing kick”. Mole
Hole Pale Ale (3.7%) from Iron Pier is the house ale and a very tasty session
beer. I thoroughly recommend this friendly establishment.
Our walk took around 45 minutes.
On a hot afternoon we were grateful to Bernie, a gentleman who offered us a
lift after seeking directions. We were in the car all of twenty seconds before
we spotted the entrance to the to the Steve Cook Stadium!! The ground
is quirky in that it is made up of a number of different structures painted in
red, the club’s dominant colour. This includes a couple of covered seated
stands and a separate covered standing area (very welcome in the scorching
heat), along with the clubhouse and refreshment facilities, situated along the
main side of the pitch where you enter the ground.
This match saw visitors, Chatham
Town, take the early initiative. They really ought to have been out of sight,
but a combination of missed chances and last ditch defending ensured otherwise.
A sending off for a home player mid-way through the first period should have
enhanced the trend, but strangely had the opposite effect. Punjab had a couple
of half-chances themselves and you could see the frustration for some of the Chatham
players.
As expected, the visitors took
control of the second period and made their advantage in numbers count, scoring
three goals for a comprehensive victory. An enjoyable match which Kerry
Fairless will tell you was enhanced by the samosa and curry pancake roll that he
enjoyed! Bernie was on hand to provide us with a very welcome lift back to the
town centre after the match. My onward journey via Dartford, Greenwich, Canary Wharf and
Stratford was straightforward. Although a bit longer than it could have
been, it was a lot cheaper.
1 comment:
I would love to think that Punjab United are known as The Turbanators !
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