I've been there! Not as an inmate of course...

What is not widely appreciated, is that the Medway actually entered the sea up by Suffolk/Norfolk, with the Thames as a mere tributary. It was therefore the most obvious way into the heartland if travelling from Northern Europe.

I do tend to concentrate all my readings and efforts on the Medway valley, mainly because that's where I am most of the time, but I am going to hopefully have the time to branch out a bit this year. I want to record all the Stour valley barrows at some stage, thankfully mostly in nice shady woodland :)