Wednesday 25 November 2009

Fill Your Boots But Don't Look Back!

Tuesday 24 November



Walkers: Farty, T.B. , Mrs P., yours truly - Sally met us for lunch with her knees


Weather: very windy, mild, some spits and spots of rain - grey and forbidding skies

Conditions: yuk - very muddy and very wet in parts - ooooo matron


Another route from this venue - there are loads more to come. The circular walk started towards the West and round we went. It was obvious by the lack of signs, missing stile parts, and chained gates, that walkers are not encouraged in these parts.
Find of the walk: a row of plastic tulips


Not many livestock fields encountered - a couple of baby cows, and a few with sheep in., one with horses. Level ground virtually throughout, which would have suited Windy, but many parts very wet and waterlogged. A plane-spotter was spotted at one point - he had forgotten his sandwiches, and, close by, was a discarded old sofa, with bun-style feet. What was once a magnificent specimen, had been carelessly dumped and left to the elements - such a shame.



We passed close to Burstow Church (under renovation), and numerous farms, most of which were selling eggs. We noticed large gatherings of hens, and the cockerel 'sorting them out', which was all over in a flash - no comment. For those not on the in-continent plan, it is advisable to take relief early on in this walk, as open fields abound, later on. No looking back was the order of the day, whilst the reliefeeeeee had to duck down en-route, and hope for the best.

The sight and sounds of aeroplanes was constant - how could anyone live here? At times, you could almost touch them they were that low. However we had mud to attend to, and before long, loud expletives were heard coming from Mrs P (we were shocked!). Her once beautifully clean and buffed boots had succumbed to the quagmire, and she was millimetres away from a total submerge in the shud (shit and mud). However she soon regained her composure in time to navigate the lake which was once the footpath, and here, T.B. almost had a slippage.


However, we completed the walk in approx 3hrs, and about 7 miles - mud is heavy and slow-going. Lunch in the pub was good, as before, and excellent value.


Next walk: not confirmed as yet, so please keep blogging on for updates.




Tuesday 24 November 2009

updates

Hi Everyone.,

just to let you know that although i am blogging each week, it isn't flagging up as before, with an alert e mail for you, so please go on the the website for news and info. martin is putting the photos into my drafts (if you'll pardon the expression) which may be where the problem is occurring. once i have left b.a., i shall try and do photos myself. xxxxx

Wednesday 18 November 2009

That's the way I Leigh like it!


Tuesday 17 November - Plough Pub Leigh

Weather: bright, clear, very sunny, breezy and mild - fab

Walkers: Farty, T.B., Windy (not wheezy any more), Clat.

Distance: 7 miles - felt longer due to heavy mud and flooding conditions

Find of the Walk: Stuffed Rodent



Due to recent heavy rainfalls, much of the walk was flooded and muddy, and very slippery, but we all managed to remain upright.



This was a new walk, designed by Farty, and crossed some of our previous paths, so the odd sounds of footpath recognition could be heard from time to time. No livestock had to be walked through, although we did pass a herd of baby bullocks, and, later on, some small , very thick-coated sheep. one had a very noticeable cough - is this where the dish lamb kofta comes from?


Met a group of walkers who were an opposite composition of our group - all men, except for a token woman, who held things up whilst she oooooed and ahhhhd over a small footbridge. Masses of berries on the holly bushes - is this a sign of a hard winter to come? Fabulous views, and nearly 360 degree vistas in some parts. We passed by a school which did its level best to hide the way-markers, but we soon sorted that out.


We arrived at the pub after approx 3hrs, and had some fab food. A gorgeous 11week old springer spaniel was there, called Semtex - a dodgy dawg? The Plough Pub at Leigh

Next walk: Tuesday 24th Nov, at the Hedgehog, Copthorne 1030.

Wednesday 11 November 2009

schools, pools and spotty toadstools

Wednesday 11 November - Armistice Day - Meeting Point: The Hedgehog Inn at Copthorne
Weather: oh dear! Wet at the start, damp in the middle, wet at the end (sounds like a lurid sex film)

Find of the walk: The Incredible Hulk - who had been suckered off!!

Length of walk: about 10 miles, apparently.

Walking today were: Farty (who, living up to her name, had apparently done a spectacular fall into some bracken, a few days ago, losing her glasses. however, they were retrieved the next day). Token Bloke, Wheezy (the cold/cough is nearly gone now) Wendy No hills, 12 legs, and yours truly.

The Hedgehog hosts are very accommodating, so parking there is no problem. We set off in the rain, at 1045, and at 11 we stopped for a two-minute silence by a farm gate. This done, the walk continued through varied and interesting countryside, and no big hills to climb, much to Wend's delight , and comfort. Talking of which, there are plenty of places to relieve oneself on this route.

We found numerous fungi, some of which was photographed by t.b. - (I am going out with a mushroom tonight, he seems like a really fun guy - ha ha ha ha ha.) We walked near the Cheshire/Heatherly homes, Rowfant House, a monastery, which conveniently rang its bell as we passed, and we noted the 'retreat' huts in the grounds. A quick stop in Crawley Down, to get a coffee in the deli, and marvel at the cheeses on display, and the meat next door.

Most of the stiles were slippery, and members invented ways of climbing over and around them. We thought we were doing o.k. on the livestock front, until we found a field of some pretty big b---ers, and two of the 12 legs was last seen vaulting fences and heading off into the distance at an impressive olympic pace - but we found her again! later on we saw lllllllllllamas, and Minnie Meee did a spectacular job of trying to round up some unsuspecting quail and pheasants.

A lot of variety on this walk- in fact, it seemed to have a bit of everything. On our return, the food at the pub was excellent, especially as two mains cost £10. The pie of the day, had a blow-up topping, and the ham was pink and healthy, just like us!


Next Walk: Tuesday 17th November - The Plough, Leigh. We shall be walking the alternate route, so we may see some more llllllllllllllllllamas. ALSO
POSSIBLY Thursday 19th November - things are hotting up!

Thursday 5 November 2009

Walkers Wheelers Views & Vistas - 8 long miles but no sign of blisters




WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2009

Meeting point; The Plough at Leigh
weather: brisk breezes, sunny and clear in the morning, 1500 rain

Walkers: Farty, Token, 12 legs, Clat.

Quite a few groups of walkers to be found, thankfully, not in our way. One, belonged to a group of 4-wheeler Morgan owners, who left their prized possessions outside the pub.

A bit wet underfoot, but on the whole, a good day for walking - views and vistas excellent, although the wind has blown off what were fabulous leaf colours. One couple were observed walking straight through a field of freshly sown crops - honestly! We, on the other hand, kept to the side and tutted a lot. One field did have livestock, much to the alarm of Chris (understandably), so Farty and Token 'headed them off at the pass', but those young bullocks were very interested in black , furry bundles of dog. Unfortunately Chris lost her oranges and water, running across said field, but we made it to the other side o.k.

Not much to pick, and hardly any places to relieve oneself - that cold wind does get into the vitals. No 'find of the day' today, but the pub was good as usual. This is a good venue for all of us we think, so Clat and Mon are going to draw up some more walks from here.

Right - next walk - Wednesday 11th november, which will start from the Hedgehog pub, in Copthorne. 12 legs know the venue, but, take exit junction 10 off m23, at the second roundabout - Duke's Head, take second turning - Mill Lane, (which is showing as 'road closed', but go down in). Go past the school, keep going, and the pub is at the bottom - got it? good luck - see you there next week, at 1030.

Piccies to follow. xxx