There were a fair number of people at Lesnes Abbey. Some runners, but mostly young mums with their charges in pushchairs. Some older couples wandering around. No-one other than a single young family had left the finely kept gravel paths to explore the Abbey ruins, despite it being both permitted and gently encouraged by signage. I stepped off the path and could immediately feel disapproving glares. It is a fascinating and freely accessible site. I ambled around the whole scheduled monument for half an hour then decided it was time for brekkie. My plan had been to find at least a mug of tea at the cafe here. However I arrived an hour before that opened. So I drank enough water to float a boat and wandered off through the landscaped paths to exit the grounds at the far end, munching an oat bar as I went, a poor substitute for a bacon sarnie I felt.

After the exposed 88 hectare site of the Abbey ruins, it was lovely shaded walk to Erith. I had hoped to stop in the St. John the Baptist church here to see the tiles that had been resited there from the ruined Abbey ‘back-in-the-day’ but the doors were firmly locked.

From there it is a short walk to join the Thames Path on the banks of the river. The tide was out, exposing the odd half-submerged shopping trolley and cycle in the mud. It was now all very warm and sweaty walking, very still, no-one around and I paused for a few minutes on a handy seat in the shade to cool off, rehydrate and make a few notes.

While the Pilgrims Way was now back amongst buildings, I had the wide river to my side for much of the remaining walk. Even when I left the Thames and headed inland, I was following the River Darent up the valley toward Dartford. This was familiar ground to me as I had come this way when I walked the London LOOP.

I walked past the Dartford Barrier, built in 1981. It forms part of the flood defence system for Greater London and has been crucial in protecting Dartford and Crayford from flooding. The raised gates weigh 160 tonnes each and can be lowered even if the power goes. Well, I found it impressive….

After a couple of km walking through scrubby thorny riverside paths, it changed to mostly uninteresting and brisk walking through the sort of tatty industry that always sits on the edge of towns, to days end at Dartford railway station. I had completed another short day, just 11.33 miles with 689 feet of ascent. Another early train to catch- the 12.58. It had been a warm day, reaching 35°C (95°F) for much of the morning. My next section would be the final day on the London link of the Pilgrims Way, taking me from Dartford to Otford. I had enjoyed today immensely. While it had been quite short, it was also mostly pleasant walking with a few interesting things en route. A good day, and still home in time for an afternoon pint in the pub.