The wind blows high and the wind blows low, so it's quickly back to the pub we go.

Wednesday 10th March (no smoking day, apparently)

Venue: The Barley Mow, Tandridge

Walkers: Farty, T.B., Windy (who has now dried-out), 12 legs, Clat. Trish will join us, once her back is better, and Sally is having her elbow tended to.

Weather: cold, grey, nasty wind from the n.e., but dry

Distance: a not very creditable 5.5 miles

Find of the walk: gorgeous clumps of snowdrops

Once assembled, off we went, heading West. This is Farty's favourite walk, and the one she wants to be scattered on (morbid start then). The biting wind, came straight at us, so it was a relief to find many wooded parts. This is big woodpecker country, and their handiwork or beakiwork was evident. There were more stiles than we were used to, so getting our legs over took us longer than usual, and at one stile we nearly got a prick in the groin, due to a rampant holly bush. Just before that, Windy was attacked by a nasty bramble which nearly toppled her, and we also noticed a broken tree overhead - shiver me timbers.

Our route took us through Godstone Farm, which was closed last year, due to an e-coli outbreak. Now back in action, with signs, pictures, soap and water, so no excuse for the little darlings to pick up a bug. We saw sheep and a couple of pigs there, and the tiniest of tiniest ponies too ------ah.

The cold prevented us from stopping long anywhere. This, we noted, has also delayed the growth of bluebells and daffodils - it will look stonking in a few weeks from now. No field livestock encountered at all, and we narrowly missed a tractor, spreading slurry. We passed by our 'photo-shoot' position, for our web-site , and noted it was the same folk doing the walk. We crossed the busy A22 twice, and for some reason, we all found it hard-going today, so no add-ons were added on, and back we came to the pub.

The hat fashionistas are getting out of control, and today, one of the 12 legs sported a dog bed on her head.

In the pub a rather nasty smell of sewage seemed to pervade - so that's why the loos don't flush properly. Various dishes ordered - Wind and Chris were heavily into S & M (sausage and mash). We decided the food was mediocre, and not really good value for money - how we fare with the fare, will become a feature of the blog from now on.

Our next walk is scheduled for TUESDAY 16 March, meeting at Reigate Hill, to execute Reigate II, which will include Fanny's Farm.- see you there.