28 March 2016

This is my first attempt of exploring Dartford. I don’t know much about its countryside or its marshes. My passion for water streams took me at the Darenth estuary. I wanted to see how it looks when the Darenth meets the Thames. So I checked on Google maps and O.S. maps and it seemed to de a road or a path leading towards Dartford Marshes and the Thames.

So I took Joyce Green Lane. I passed the farms and the marshes. But when I reached Dartford Clay Shooting Club there was no road ahead. I stopped the car. There is a strong wind, last relic of storm Katie. Katie is a very cute name to be given to a storm. My car is rocked whilst the clouds are moving fast above my head. 

Marshes are marshes. I didn’t know what to expect … probably my disappointment is consequential to the fact that I am not able to see the Thames from here and I have no intention to walk today.

I am starting thinking that the Darenth is a vicious river, almost hidden half way of his journey.

There are footpaths across the marshes but no access from the road.

I go back to the circular to find a better place where I can leave my car and walk. This time I can’t do what I want I have to risk assess and value the best way to go.

I stop half way back. I could eventually see a footpath. I come out of my car. But the wind is so strong it is difficult to walk. I take few pictures and go back to my safest place.

From Francesca e l'Aquilone

...The High street is as busy as ever. She sits on one of the benches at One Bell Corner. She likes that bench. If she looks straight ahead of her she can  se the little church at a distance. The road is straight with tall old buildings by the two sides. She knows that this is not home, but it looks like it a bit. 

In her village in Italy they also had a square with a straight High Street leading to a little church. If she closes her eyes she can smell the scent of lemons and  ginestra. She can hear from the nearby windows the noise of the dishes put on the table ready for dinner. The laughter of the boys playing football across the street. She can see the linens hanged to dry outside the windows dancing with the wind like white sails agains a deep blue sky...

Panni Stesi, video by Fabiola Catapano, 2014