windmill, trees, and lots of knees

Tuesday 29 September 2009: n.t. car park, outwood, opposite the windmill

Walkers: fartyfallover; GRANDAD - token bloke (it's a boy - Kieran and a hefty 8lbs) wendynonills, sally, clatchat,
joined for lunch by maggie - see further.

Fabulous weather - again. For t.b.'s benefit, i shall be inserting more full stops - full stop!

Slight confusion over who was leading today's walk, so it became a joint effort between farty and clat. If anyone wants to lead a walk then please do so! full stop

Another slight confusion at the beginning of the walk, as we made a complete circle round a wood. n.b. - never trust the n.t. routes, as they are different from those marked on the o.s. maps. met rather rotund lady with 3 dogs - she had verbal diarrhoea, and you thought i was bad. however, she helped with guidance round a very badly marked route. the local farmer does not encourage walkers. we opted out of visiting Horne, which is apparently, a very pretty place.

Once on track, we had wonderful views, open vistas, and amazing aircraft spotting, as they came in to gatwick, long and low. only one field of cows, plus calves, who were not at all bothered by us, or the pretty young blonde thing with a husky-type dog, who we endeavoured to protect with our sticks. however t.b. found a lovely juicy fresh cow pat. lots of blackberries, and farms to pass through. one section took us alongside the m23 so talk came to a halt - what a racket, -found dead shrew - but once back into the woods ,we could gossip again. rather worryingly all the horses round these parts have shrunk - or have we walked as far as the shetland isles? ha ha ha.

the walk was reduced a little, due to tiredness and the onset of pub lunchtime hours, so another reason for a re-run round these parts. spied a pair of knees next to a hedge, but did not stop to investigate. walk lasted about three hours.

rushed off to the Bell pub, and just in time, but they were running late by 20mins for hots so ordered colds + one soup(when you order roasted pepper and tomato, you get chicken,leek and bacon. we were joined by another pair of knees belonging to maggie, who came appropriately late, and in-appropriately dressed. We advised against the wearing of bermudas, as colourful as they were. The shiny boots were very impressive, but we soon managed to dust them up in the car park.

Next walk: Tuesday 6th october, leigh church, opposite the plough pub. please be ready to start the walk at 1030 as we lose valuable pub time!!

hills and dales and fingernails

tuesday 22 september. west hoathly church start - park round the corner by football field, as owners of cat pub wouldn't let us park there - avoid in future!
walkers: farty fallover, token bloke, wendy no hills, mrs provincial and clatchat.

weather SUPERB and some glorious vistas and views. very mixed walking and it got hotter as the day went on, so quite a few stops, and even a lie-down at one point, but damp, and the thought of getting piles, got us up again. very quiet walk - i.e. not many cars, or planes, etc., and no livestock in the fields we had to traverse, although clat managed to tread on a cow pat. our route took us past the millenium seed bank (not ivf the plant type), and wakehurst place, fabulous carpet of mixed cyclamen to be seen, and we reckon we should do a visit here, and soon, as the trees are on the turn.
the walk ended with a slow climb up a fairly long hill, and wend coped brilliantly. waterfalls, herds of deer with their stags in charge, llama, sheep, and lots of birds to be heard - a real blue-sky day. we passed a quarry before reaching our end. much stretching and bending, and a trip to the white hart, as the walk ended later than usual, due to heat, we reckon. this pub is also open all day for food. here we lunched at 3.15 p.m. and the landlady, who had amazing fingernails (all her own, much to mrs p's annoyance) was accommodating and friendly, and making her way through the red wine. she wasn't enjoying looking after her 7yr old grandson, who was displaying signs of becoming a local oddjob man, and was last seen up a ladder.

next walk forecast for tues or wed 29 or 30 sept - will advise venue when we know who is attending. don't forget to grease your boots. xxxx

Reigate Hill Walk Tuesday 8th September

Start: Reigate Hill car park

Distance: 12 km

Find of the walk:

The weather was fabulous so the views ('vistas') wee amazing.

the big 60 oh oh !!!!

Monday 14th September 2009, 1400, at Fanny's Farm. Walk, followed by tea. Walkers: mon the birthday girl(farty fallover), sister Viv, token bloke, mrs provincial, wendy no hills, clatchat. Added guests for tea - Angela B and Maggie R.

Weather o.k., but a bit blustery and grey clouds at times - autumn is here folks.
Did about an hour and a half of walking, looking at things, and at one point, half the group losing their way. Not to worry, back on course, on the golf course, and a few swigs of champers near the 16th tee, or was it tee hee hee? Token bloke complimented on his knack for attracting women by passing golfer. champers consumed, we returned and made ready for tea and cake.
The farm was up to its usual quirky standard, and we stroked the pot-bellied pigs, who are very friendly, and were also mindful of e-coli.
Up in the tree house, the staff had made it look very welcome, with tea-lights and bunting. the food was impressive and delicious. we had copious cups of tea, a little bubble or two, and the rambling rose presentation to our mon. plus other gifts., and lots of laughs and amusement at the musical cake slice. toasts were made to all of you, there, or absent.
after a look round the gardens, we made ready to leave. our usual exit blocked, by a recent road-accident, but no one hurt. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MON., AND A GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL.

N.B. Token bloke will be blogging the frog blog, as and when. i should be posting photos, but need help - again.

NEXT WALK; tues 22nd september, either fanny's farm again, cos of huge blackberries, or i am looking at west hoathly. enjoy your weeks ladies and gentleman.

Mon's big birthday photos

Venue: The Tree House, Fanny's Farm

Present: Birthday girl!, the lovely Viv - (little sister), Token Bloke, Clatchat, Windy Nohills, Mrs Provincial, and in the Tree House, Angela B and Maggie (Robert)

Mon's Big Birthday - Fanny's Farm, Merstham Monday 14th September

goodbye blackberry way

saturday 5 september. 14.30 - the westcott walk with a different ending

walkers: farty fallover and clatchat.
weather: sunny at first - clothing removed/ cloud - clothing donned (as they say in s.e.p)

not too many general public around, which was good, except for a group of londoners on their duke of edinburgh award , silver level - think we might have sent them in the wrong direction. MASSES of blackberries, so pots were out pretty often. Nasty smell of poo at one point, and after checking our trousers, were relieved to discover the cause - silage in field - scary moment eh? not too much wildlife, lots of sweetcorn on the way. found alternate routes towards the end, and a much better finish, which avoids - wend n.b.- not so many hills and is away from the backs of people's gardens.

comfort stops = best taken during early part of walk , or maybe we should practice with some shewees /urinelles - all available on the net. no photos today. and not when they are in use either.
n.b. the car park at the wotton hatch is solely owned by THE COUNCIL.

next walk: tuesday 8th sept 10.30 - REIGATE HILL - bring containers for blackberries.