Helen Dafter

@historyhelen123

Ceroc Dancer, walker, and archivist. Research interests marginalised histories. She/her

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Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· 22d

#UnconfinedWalks of castles and gateways.

View across a river to a cathedral and a castle under dark grey skies with the potential for rain.

View through a pedestrian gateway towards a figurehead.

View across a river to a castle under a blue sky with white clouds.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· 22d

I needed a focus for today's walk so here you go. Feel free to use as you wish. They are also very good at refilling water bottles which was appreciated (I continued the walk to St Mary's Island and had started in Strood).

A cappuccino and a cheese toastie on a wooden coffee shop table).

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· 23d

Enjoying a cool morning and easing into the day with #TeaUp on the balcony.

A mug of green tea and a book ('Bookshops and Bonedust' by Travis Baldree) on a mosaic bistro style table with a large pot of lavender in the background.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· 23d

Today's #UnconfinedWalks to the local river festival. The photos don't really show how busy it was. Also had a walk around a local park with my dad and aunt, but no photos as I was busy enjoying company.

View from a bridge along a river. There are a few boats moored on the right bank in the distance.

Ragstone Archbishop's Palace on a sunny day with mackerel clouds.

Entrance to an underpass painted blue with swans and herons and 'Maidstone River Park'.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· 23d

Busy day seeing family, housework and shopping, then into town for the river festival. Now relaxing with a vinho verde for #ConfinedCocktails (full disclosure I'm sitting inside with dinner and TV but the balcony was a better photo).

A large glass of white wine and a book ('Bookshops and Bonedust' by Travis Baldree) on a mosaic bistro style table. There is a large pot of lavender in the background.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· 25d

Different moods of the river on today's #UnconfinedWalks. Busy in town ahead of the river festival at the weekend, and peaceful on my way dancing.

View along a river with lots of boats moored on the bank. Most are moored with the rear at the bank to create more space.

View along a river with trees on both banks.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· 29d

#UnconfinedWalks around a local park today and then into town.

View across a lake surrounded by trees. There are a few Canadian geese on the water.

View across a lake surrounded by shrubs.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 18

Enjoyed a longer #UnconfinedWalks today with lots of steep stretches.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 18

I had my #ConfinedCocktails the end of my walk earlier. Now recovering with lots of tea and water.

Side wall of a pub called The Dirty Habit.

A pint of beer, a pint of water (with ice and lemon), a packet of crisps, and a booklet guide to the Scenic Green Trail.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 17

I was up early this morning so I had time for a longer pre work #UnconfinedWalks.

View along a river towards a stone bridge with three arches.

A stone archway leading to gardens. There is a large tree behind the archway.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 13

Making the most of my day off with #TeaUp and a book on the balcony.

A mug of green tea and a book 'Our Evenings' by Alan Hollinghurst, on a mosaic bistro style table. There is a large pot of lavender in the background.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 12

Low motivation and lots to do at home meant adjusting my plans for #UnconfinedWalks today. I did manage a shorter walk along the river, which I felt better for.

View along a bend in a river on a sunny day.

View across a river to a castle on the far bank.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 11

Another weekend, another early #UnconfinedWalks to the office. I got an earlier train so I could take a longer walk in the hope of seeing pelican chicks. No luck, but the park was pretty and quiet (apart from all the runners).

View across a lake surrounded by trees. Buckingham Palace is just in view at the end of the lake. The sky is bright blue.

View through trees and shrubs to a lake with a fountain.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 10

Missed my train this evening so had an extra #UnconfinedWalks loop around the station to add to my step count.

Arches under a train station. On the left there are two progress pride flags hanging outside a nightclub.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 9

Post work #UnconfinedWalks around town.

Small sculpture of an elephant on a plinth. The sculpture is in a grassy area with trees in the background.

View across a river under a bridge. There is an artwork with the word Maidstone on the far bank.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 5

Today's #UnconfinedWalks along the Scenic Green Trail. This leg involved a little bit of doubling back on myself to get to the nearest public transport.

A low bank on a golf course. The bank is covered with mixed, colourful wildflowers.

A stone church with a short square tower at the left.

A George the sixth wallboard with a K6 style telephone kiosk in the background. The kiosk has been repurposed to hold a defibrillator.

A stone church with a tall square tower with a pointed roof.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 4

#UnconfinedWalks on my to a fab afternoon of dancing. One day I'll actually find the right exit from London Bridge rather than walking the perimeter of the station!

Two metal work sculptures of people. The nearer one is facing away from the camera and towards the second sculpture. The second one is facing the camera.

Twisted obelisk shaied sculpture in a bronze material. In the background is the St Pancras hotel.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 4

I'm also in transit but have train wine for #ConfinedCocktails.

A small bottle of white wine and a book on a train table. The book is 'Our Evenings' by Alan Hollinghurst.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 4

Pausing for #TeaUp in the middle of a fun afternoon of dancing. It's rather warm so regular hydration breaks are important.

A takeaway cup of tea on concrete steps.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 2

Lovely #UnconfinedWalks to dancing tonight despite the trains attempting to stop me. It was a fab night!

View along a river on a bright sunny day. There are trees on one bank and houses on the other, both are reflected in the water.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jul 1

Nice surprise at work today. (It ws a thank you for one of the talks I gave recently).

A wicker hamper with a selection of Cadburys chocolates.

The chocolates removed from the hamper. There is a bar of milk chocolate, a bar of dark chocolate, a bag of chocolate buttons, a box of Roses, a box of Milk Tray, and a box of chocolate éclairs.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jun 28

#UnconfinedWalks along the river today. Various animals (land and water) and plenty of water.

View across a river. There are two adult swans and three cygnets on the water.

A pig and several white geese at a busy farm.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jun 28

Yesterday's #UnconfinedWalks in one of my favourite places.

A harbour with a small pink house floating in the water.

Statue of a man looking out to sea. The statue is under a harbour arm and surrounded by props.

A two propeller helicopter over the sea.

Close up of thistle plant (possibly artichoke).

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jun 27

I started #ConfinedCocktails early at the coast. Need to find both food and a train home (I don't want to leave 😪).

A large glass of white wine, a large glass of water, and lit candle on a wooden table.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jun 27

Escaped to the coast! Book shopping and #TeaUp at a quieter spot on the seafront. Recommendation for @folkestonebookshop.bsky.social. Such a welcoming, inclusive space with friendly staff. If you can't get to the Kent coast they are also online uk.bookshop.org/shop/thefolk...

A small takeaway cup of flat white coffee and domestic chocolate chip shortbread on a metal table. There are also three books. One is a wrapped 'blind date' book, the others are Akan Hollinghurst 'Our Evenings', and Jacqueline Harpman 'Orlanda'. The sea is visible in the background.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jun 27

Easing into the weekend with #TeaUp on the balcony, where it is noticeably cooler than the flat (although the cloud is clearing and it's starting to warm up here).

A beige mug of tea and a book called 'This Golden Fleece' by Esther Rutter. Both are on a mosaic bistro table. There is a large pot of lavender in bloom in the background.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jun 26

I may have tempted the train gods too much. I am on my way home, but via an indirect train which is also delayed. Full disclosure, I did have refreshments while figuring out options.

Close up photo of a pint of beer, closely cropped for the privacy of other pub goers.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jun 26

#UnconfinedWalks to and from conference today. Pre commute, station, old and new, and river.

A wooden sculpture of a man pushing a wheelbarrow.

An old church with 'the gherkin'(30 St Mary's Axe) behind. The gherkin is a tall building in the shaped of a gherkin with green glass.

View along the river Thames towards Tower Bridge, with HMS Belfast in the foreground.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jun 25

#UnconfinedWalks on my way home after a smooth commute to and from the office.

Helen Dafter@historyhelen123· Jun 24

Got up early for longer than usual pre work #UnconfinedWalks to the river.