The Duke's Head - Walton Heath

Tuesday 13th September

The Elusive Path to The Sportsman

Walkers: Farty, T.B., 12 Legs, Lil and Clat. Mrs P is in South Africacacaca, and Wind has gone on el vacacione to Spain. Others doing others things.

Sally joined us for lunch and brought us up-to-date with her others things.

Distance: 63/4 miles

Find of the Walk: The Sportsman - eventually

Today is in celebration of Farty's imminent birthday (14th) and what a good choice it was. This route was delayed from last week as the filthy weather meant a cancellation.

We set off over Banstead Heath. A marvellous bright and sunny day, puffs of cloud ,gentle breezes, and lots of birdsong. There was lots of Clats song too, but this is not appreciated by the others. Determined to find the correct path to the Sportsman, we headed in an easterly direction, but, yet again, not far enough. On our o.s. maps, only a few walks are marked, but on this heathland, there are many more to choose and confuse from.

However, thanks to compass-man, and Chris's stick, we kept our co-ordinates and kept walking. Finding a 'permissive ride' we turned southwards, and quite a bit of onwards. Eventually, even though we were not on the correct track, we recognised our 'patch' and adjusted accordingly. Thus we managed to reach the Sportsman.

The friendly staff served us our coffees and teas outside. The waitress told us she came from Riga, and all we could connect that to was the Eurovision Song Contest and Terry Wogan - hey ho that's geography for you. Minnie became rather vociferous at the arrival of a very pretty labradoodle, and jack russell, and us humans voiced our opinion on the size and quality of the owners' chips. Time to move on......................

Our tracks today were wide enough to enable a good flow of conversation. For some reason, poor T.B is feeling stressed, about what he knows not - he just woke up that way - I think the moon may have something to do with it. We approached the bridge across the m25 and noted that the underpants had finally gone from the clutches of the bushes. At the other side Sue happened to ask Clat 'how's your hair fanny'? Much sniggering was caused by this remark, and then Farty asked if this was a 'pubic footpath' - must be the moon again.

We came out onto Colley Hill and some really lovely views across Surrey - gives you a marvellous feeling - but we had food in mind, so we had to come away and cross the motorway once more. This time we were on Banstead Heath, and its golf course in the vicinity. Crossing the Dorking Road, and then a parallel footpath further inland, provided good wooded shelter, as it decided to start raining. Here, T.B. told us that Lidl is selling a cagoule which can be turned into a tent - whatever next?

Well, next was the ending of the walk, and perfect timing for Sally, as she arrived just as we returned. Off to the pub then. It was busy as always, and friendly and welcoming as always, too. We were given waitress service, and a real variation of fare was ordered. Farty caused sniggering again, by ordering a rabbit in pastry (Anne Summers eat your heart out) - and very nice it looked, too.

We toasted the birthday girl, then took our leave - thankful to have missed the really heavy downfall of rain outside whilst lunching.

Next week, we are hoping to do a walk at Bletchingley - The White Harte, so you can get a coffee beforehand - will confirm later on, in the usual way.

Dunnings Mill - East Grinstead

Tuesday 9 August

Sue's Birthday Boulevarde

Walkers: Farty, T.B. 6 legs, Windy, Registrara - joined, later, by Lil and Clat, and then Chris joined us for lunch.
Distance: 61/3 miles

Find of the Walk: Underpants (no relation to the ones living near Reigate Hill), a tree t-shirt, an air-sock, and an old boot (not the human variety)

This first bit is 'remotely' written by Clat, as she has had both hips injected with cortisone, in another attempt to alleviate the problem, and has been told to build up the walking - soooooooooooooooooooo she did! (as they say in The Little Red Hen)

Lovely weather, and off they went, a little later than planned, but they still went off. It's believed there was a bit of an upper, followed by a bit of a downer, and eventually arriving at the Weir Wood Reservoir. The floral landscapes of grasses and wild flowers looked really pretty, especially with the backdrop of puffy white clouds in the blue blue skies.

Timing was perfect as they reached the Bluebell Railway Line, and the birthday girl's sensitive ears picked up a train coming along (they were strong as well, ha ha ha ha ha). The steam engine arrived, they waved, and the moment passed, so it was back to the route.
Coming out of a little bit of woodland, the group found Clat and Lil, who had headed off to start the walk at the end, so to speak, and thus meeting up - it worked this time. Greetings were exchanged, happy to yous were sung, and the expected 'Dr Livingstone I presume' was spoken.

So, back along the track, and up through some woods, before eventually arriving at the Saints Hill playing grounds. Across the road, beyond the Scientology place - which is guarded - and on to another find.

This was, in fact, a rather old white Mitsubishi car - called Wendy!!! We had no idea she had contacts in the Motorshow arena, and she graced us with a pose across the bonnet, of her latest racy model.

Further along, we came to a house with the most magnificent backdrop (literally), view. The garden at the rear, fell away, within yards of the building, to reveal the vista which would be welcome at any time. However, knowing there wasn't much space at the back, led us to think that there might not be much more time to enjoy the scenery.

We travelled on and back on the High Weald Landscape Trail, where we found the old boot, and eventually to Dunnings Mill to disrobe. Reg left us at this point, after dispensations of damson jelly and the like. Clat has been straining in the kitchen again, and thought she might write a book about her jam-making activities. Titles such as 'The Pot, Thickens' and 'Have I lost the Pot?' - probably.............................

Lunch was consumed with the sounds of the gentle jogging of the water-wheel, and the bruising noises of diggers and sweepers trucks, as Dunnings Mill Squash Courts have been demolished, and a new housing development, plus a care home, are in the process of construction. Poor T.B. got most annoyed, but it was rather an intrusion.

After this , a lemon drizzle cake, complete with candle, emerged from a carrier bag, and we sang our happy to yous to our victim, who had to prepare for the inevitable blow job to come (oh dear, that sounds a bit rude). A few quizzes followed: Farty had provided a general knowledge one, followed by an 'August Teaser' - anyone remember 'Titbits'? Clat provided one of hers, and it all went downhill from there really. Bengal is not the first name of Tiger Woods, and Hinge and Bracket is not the name for a diptych. Hey ho, time for home methinks.

Some of the party are meeting later in the week to go dogging. The National Dog Trials are on near Boxhill, and worth a visit. On from 11-13th so have a look on the web, if you are interested. I would advise against googling 'dogging' and be a bit more specific in your request.

Otherwise, it's next Tuesday as usual - texts will arrive eventually. xxxx

The Oak,Warnham

A stile-ish walk!

Venue: The Oak, Warnham

Walkers: Farty, TB, 12 legs and Mrs Provincial. Our two invalids, Sally and Clatters joined us for lunch afterwards. Windy at the hospital with Ma, Lil somewhere in the Channel in a boat, Registrara on her 'on' week and Hootsmon probably aviating.
Distance: 10.6k/6 1/2 miles
Time taken: 3 hours, not including a coffee/tea stop at a pub and another for a quick rehydrate
Weather: HOT! very muggy with no air, so we felt the distance and time taken quite an achievement!

Find of the walk: Nothing I'm afraid

We set off just a tad late due to yours truly hitting roadworks on the A272 - well, it's the summer holidays so of course the councils decide what better time to dig up the roads! Today's walk was to be a 'lollipop' walk, and we headed out of the village and into a field full of linseeds. We also passed through a wooded area where some very exotic (and alien) plants were growing - Himalayan balsam, giant hogweed and a plant which I tried to identify from my book and think is some type of vetch - it had very pretty blue flowers.

We soon came across the first of what was going to prove to be an awful lot of stiles - some wonky, some high but all a real obstacle on such a hot day. Soon the title of the walk was decided upon!

The path took us directly east and towards Rowhook where we stopped at the Chequers pub for a very welcome stop and refreshments. ( http://www.thechequersrowhook.com/). It's a gastro pub and looking at the menu we could see why - lovely menu, not perhaps the cheapest but we felt it could be a possibility for a future walking venue. We sat outside on the terrace and soon a very large group of walkers came into view . . phew, fortunately not heading the same way as us!

We set off again and the next part of the walk took us down part of the old Roman road, Stane Street. No chariot tracks to be found I'm afraid!

We had a slight hiccup when we found a signpost in the middle of a field lying down on its side - Chris very kindly obliged and posed with it for a photo but I'm sorry, for some reason the photo I took didn't come out! No David Bailey this girl, TB does a far more professional job! Anyway, we twirled the sign and took an (un)educated guess as to which way to head and were soon back on track.

Some lovely houses en route so a fair bit of gawping went on. We passed through a field chock full of sheep and their lambs who are growing apace, and then came to a large farmyard with a number of empty sheds - well, empty apart from two small bulls looking very lonely in the corner of one of the barns. We reckon the rest of the herd must have just been sent to become part of the menu at the pub . . . just as well none of us are veggie then!

We also came to a field with these two gorgeous gals Mum and her very pretty foal. Aaahhs all round!

We decided to stop again for a water break - it was such a hot, humid day so our water levels needed topping up. We also decided that the RARAS need a flag so tour leader can lead the way! Much discussion ensued and we thought that our Clat, being somewhat indisposed at the moment, might be able to knit us a cupcake to sit on top of the flagpole! . . . no pressure there of course Clat!

We rejoined the path across the field of linseeds and 20 minutes later arrived back at the pub where our two invalids, Sal and Clat, hobbled over to greet us, both sporting matching fitflops - very snazzy! We settled inside and ordered our food - TB had been positively salivating most of the walk about his giant steak pie and it certainly didn't disappoint today! Such a magnificent specimen deserved a photo . . . and happy to report that he did it proud, not a scrap left on the plate! Much catching up to do, Sal and Sue comparing notes on knee ops and Clat telling us that she is going for cortisone injections. Good luck Clat, we all hope that this works and sorts the hips out once and for all. It would be lovely to have you and Sal back walking again soon - we miss you!

We started to leave the pub for home, but not before setting up our own version of a mini market from the boots of our cars - Mon with bags of goodies for Polly Possibly-Non, bad taste cuttings for Mrs P, jam jars galore for Clat, damsons for Clat from Farty, Clats' wonderous damson jelly for all, eggs for Sal, muesli bars for the invalids, a BCal first class silver tray for Clat . . . was there anything not being traded/bartered?!

No plans afoot (sorry, awful pun!) for next week I believe - we did discuss whether to suspend operations during August as people are away and/or busy, but think the jury is still out on that one. So, wait for a text message . . .

The Provinces visit the Yorkshire Dales

Venue: Grassington, Rievaulx Abbey and York

Walkers: Capt & Mrs P, Pete and Val (brother/sister in law)

Distance: 5 miles /7 miles / about 2 miles in York

Weather: Lovely / cloudy / cloudy and cold

Find of the walk: A miniature horseshoe on day 2

We spent a few days with Pete and Val in North Yorkshire and managed a walk each day. Day 1 we visited Grassington in the stunningly beautiful Yorkshire Dales (Wharfedale) - as was soon pointed out to us is pronounced 'Grass-ington' as in 'gas', 'oop north', and not Gr-arse-ington as we would 'down sarth'!! It was a Sunday so seemed as if the whole world and his wife were visiting too, but having found a space in the car park we set off on our walk. Pete and Val assured us that most people don't in fact walk very far (just as far as the shops and tea rooms and a quick visit to the river Wharfe) - and they were quite right. As we headed out of town and along the river bank the crowds disappeared and we were soon on our own apart from occasional groups of walkers.

It was a sunny day and the river Wharfe looked beautiful - wide in some parts, then a patch of rapids and then calm clear and wide again. We stopped for a drink and butties on a bankside and watched a family with their lovely black lab who was chasing and fetching a tennis ball in the river.

A very varied walk as we then passed through woodland and then back into open fields with their typical dry stone walls and field shelters. Just as when we walk on the North Downs, we soon realised that the area's name gives a clue as to the terrain - most definitely a walk up hill and down dale! A bit puffed but not too bad - Miss Nohills would have been impressed! (or possibly not . . . )

A quick lesson from Pete on recognising the difference between swallows and swifts (loads of them around) and then we headed back to the pretty town. Having bought Sunday papers we then left to drive back to their house in Easingwold (via some more stunning scenery, very All Creatures Great and Small) for a well earned glass - sorry, bottle -of wine and a slob with the papers!

Day 2: We headed back out to Rievaulx Abbey in Ryedale for another circular walk. The abbey is possibly more lovely than Fountains and certainly better preserved. Once again it stands in a glorious setting nestling in a wooded valley with a few farmhouses surrounding it - as most places in the Dales, it is completely unspoilt. Once again we set off alongside the river Rye and once again came across very few other walkers. However, we did come across the inevitable postman! Great excitement on Mrs P's part which took some explaining to the others! By this time Val was getting into the swing of Raras walking as she then came across the find of the walk - a miniature horseshoe found in a field. Much speculation as to what it was intended for - a pig perhaps?! The photo on the left was taken while we tried to balance the horseshoe on the village sign - it wouldn't - so Val gamely crouched behind the stone and held the shoe up - you can just see her fingers!! How sad we all are. We then passed through a farmyard where a local ee-bah-gum farmhand warned us to stand to one side as the cows were on the way - just as well Chris wasn't there as they soon came charging down the lane complete with calves and a large bull bringing up the rear!

Once again there were rather a lot of long hills to haul ourselves up but the views were quite wonderful when we reached the top. We ended up by the river once again and headed back towards the abbey - time for a quick look and then once again set off home for more well earned alcoholic refreshments - lovely!

Day 3: We decided to do some city walking so went into York armed with one of Pete and Val's books - the Snickleways of old York. It's like speaking a different language up there sometimes! Snickleways and ginnels apparently are their version of what we know down here as twittens - old narrow passageways between buildings, and being York there are hundreds of them. We only had time for a handful which took us about 2 hours, but it was great to see other parts of York that most tourists never get to see. After this relaxing day - yes, you guessed right, we headed once more back to their pad for more drinkies. How civilised!

So, Capt P, yours truly and what's left of our 2 livers are now back home and Mrs P hopes to see you all on Tuesday!

TTFN

Oaks Park - Carshalton

The London Fruit Loop

Tuesday: 26th July

Walkers: Farty, T.B., Windy, Registrara, Lil and Clat - a group of 6, which just fitted in nicely at the circular picnic tables. However, our other members were very missed - aaaaaaaaah

Distance: 5 1/2 miles

Madd-eyed as well!

Find of the Walk: a crucified teddy bear and Hannibal Reflector

What a grey day - the odd patch of sun did try and struggle through, but it was quite warm and then quite cold - i shall proceed.

OaksPark, Carshalton This is an unexpected oasis in the middle of suburbia. Easy to miss if you are batting along the roads, and well worth investigating if you've not been. Plenty of parking spaces, a respectable cafe, loos, views, and arty places (closed today unfortunately)

Downwards to begin the loop, with views in the distance of Croydon and London areas - we later spotted Crystal Palace towers,the Ikea towers for the shoppers among us, and later on, we even got an eye-full of Canary Wharfe. A tree-lined walk then led us towards Bushells farm shop, where the owners were cooking up the steak and kidney to pop into their delicious pies. We went upwards then, and passed some rather quaint wooden houses, kept in good condition, and we discovered from T.B., that these were given to folk after the war. We noticed how advanced the hedgerow fruit is, and Wind commented that she had some lovely brambles at home - stop there i think.

Are they really slow?

The track was narrow, and we had to keep heading for the verge as many cars and vans traversed these parts. The ones containing kids were heading for the Heritage Fish Farm, and a lot of them were getting lost - T.B. pointed them in the right direction, and we verged some more. Past the Plymouth Brethren school with its shuttered windows and on towards some more unexpected leafiness and easy walking.

Road crossing here is rather dodgy as they are very busy with fast cars, but we have discovered a hidden talent in Lil. She only has to raise her hand to wave, and the traffic comes to a complete standstill - marvellous, and we herded ourselves across these frantic byways.

We frequently found trees laden with fruit. Tiny plums -like a lot of little bottoms dangling about, and in colours of red, green, purple and orange. They had quite a nice taste, but a certain wooliness about them, so we didn't pick. We found mushroom piles which looked liked the medical version, and glorious wild flowers growing in abundance - what a treasure trove we were in.

The Clockhouse Estate next - the kids are on school holidays, and i shall say no more, but the sight of shuttered shop windows and graffiti did not really match the paragraph above. i shall stop there again..........

Into another green area, with a gipsy encampment near by and then, like having cataracts removed, we came to the open and wonderful vista of the lavender fields. It was still grey above, but the ground positively popped with colour - and quite a few Japanese folk
who had flocked to this place.

We had a good rummage around and a few purchases were made before we returned to the car park, and sorted ourselves out for the picnic. Unfortunately the text 'bring a picnic' had led Windy to suppose it had to feed everyone. A massive cool-box appeared, and enough food to feed Oaks Park followed. We noticed an archaelogical dig going on - apparently they were looking for an old cock pit. Here, you have a chance to snigger/titter, or try and work out why they were digging for a section of an aeroplane - ha ha ha ha.

A goodly amount of chat ensued, and a visit to the caf to get the coffees in. After this lot, we then trotted round the Park a bit, and then decided to call it a day.

We are hoping to walk in the Horsham/Warnham area next week, in the hopes that Sally can join us. She has had her op., and we wish her a speedy recovery.

Au revoir for now x

Tanhouse Farm - Newdigate

Does My Ass Look Big In This? - title kindly supplied by Registrara

Tuesday 12 July

Walkers: Farty, T.B.(which now also means The Baker), 12 legs, Windy, Registrara, Lil and Clat.

Mrs P is preparing for a very early start and a girlie shopping/drink fest with Polly Possibly et la filles, en France. Sally is occupied with imminent q.r.s., and Hoots has another appt with the solicitor. One fine day we shall get a full turn-out and we can amend the RahRas web page group photograph.

Find of the walk: a sign telling us to expect kangaroos in 25km.
Distance: 6 1/2 miles - nice.

For our faithful blog followers you will note that we were not at the lav. fields - they are not ready and we shall visit them once they are in full flush - ha ha ha ha ha.

It was a grey day as we assembled in a field adjacent to this farm, and its marvellous shop which sells food and drink. No wines or spirits are sold, but we are allowed to bring our own - so we did. However, pre-walk we had coffees and teas served by a very friendly woman, and then off we went, in an easterly direction.

Master Baker loaf!

T.B. has been on a bread-making course, and regaled us with his day of kneading things, and watching things rise, all with the help of a shower cap. He brought some of his handywork along, and we were impressed with the shape and texture - well done that man. Clat and Lil did regalia about their recent trip to Torquay with parents, and Farty did even more with tales of her visit to her sister near Ross-on-Wye. Still, it's nice to be back together again and to catch up on everyone's news.

Very soon we came to Ockley Lodge where two gorgeous little donkeys lived. One had a wonky ear, and the other wanted to be cuddled all the time. However, Josephine and Minnie caused a lot of unwanted interest, and Sue nearly had her ass butted by one of them. Then we were surrounded by lots of yapping little dogs, one of which, a fox terrier, nipped at poor Chris. We made it to safety and continued to Home Farm (not the one from the Archers), and through woods, fields and more woods until we eventually came out at Charlwood.

The inevitable loss of route occurred, due to lack of signage, and some which we found in a ditch, but it wasn't a huge delay, and it did result in Chris walking through a field which contained cows - well done that woman!

We came to a fork - we turned left, eventually reaching Beggarhouse Lane after a little more misplacementness, and the intervention of a tractor driver who asked us if we were lost. We were not, cos we had just sorted out where we had gone wrong. Quite a lot of track walking then followed, and we noted the changes that had occurred since we last did that route.

Another fork - we turned left again, and southwards followed by westwards, and more donkey action before finally arriving at the farm. Here we ate glorious home-reared and cooked meats and fritttattttattatattas with a good selection of salads. This was followed by home-reared cake and beverages, to round off a good meal.

So, the lav awaits - we shall let you know when the constipation is over. In the meantime, we hope for some sunny weather to bring it on, and here endeth this week's blog!