The gloves are off - but not the vest

Tuesday 20 April: Duke's Head, Tadworth/Walton-on-the-Hill, or if you are using Windy's computer directions, you end up at the Blue Anchor next door! However, we waved her in and she parked up o.k.

Walkers: Farty, T.B., Windy, Registrarah, Clat. Due to menopausal error, 12 legs did not appear, as Clat had put 27th down for today's walk. Million apologies, and we shall try and ensure a text is sent the night before - BUT, if you don't get one, then text either Farty or Clat - thank you, and we usually do a walk on Tuesdays. No Sally - are you stranded in the dust? Mrs Provincial is up to her eyes - oooooo-er

Distance: 8 3/4 miles - well done everyone, as it wasn't easy walking today

Find of the walk: a mauled, one-eyed tiger - grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Perfect weather - aren't we lucky? No aeroplanes, so the skies are clear and quiet. No vapour trails, except from Farty - more later.

Our walk was mainly bridleways today, and a fair bit of road walking. We headed towards Walton on the Hill, past the duck pond, and onwards into the countryside. Very dry on the tracks, and we were soon heading towards the foot of Epsom Downs. This path is not very conducive for talking, as it is narrow, and littered with rocks and stones, so it was eyes down, pretty much all the way.

Bladder control today was excellent, and we all hung-on until the end of the walk. However, Farty had other problems, as you can see from the state of this house after she had passed by.

Horses galore - after all we are in racehorse country, and masses of flowers - so lovely to see. We also had vistas over towards Heathrow T5 - spot the deliberate mistake? no aircraft flying around. We spotted a well-preserved coal tax post - if you want to know more about these little landmarks, please have a google.

We headed on down to the M25 and underneath it, finding a dead badger and a dead fox . Our path led us upwards to the site of Farty's fall a couple of years ago, on to Headley Church and the Cock (not THAT sort) pub, before we turned towards our homeward stretch. Underneath the M25 again - we actually had a lot of long steepish hills to climb which wasn't very pleasant, and conversation stopped for a time. Wind and Registrarar coped very well with their 'heaving chests' , especially with their recent bronichal problems. We got a bit hot too, so more drinks stops were scheduled today.

It was here that we found our first Islamic horse, complete with Burkha(?) how about that then? The path eventually led us into Walton on the Hill, and we walked a few roads before our final bridleway back to the start.

Can't say it was a popular route, and Mon and Clat will be working on other walks from here, as it is a good meeting point. Now back to the pub - the Duke's Head. Good find - will allow you to park there, welcome well-behaved dogs, and food served all day - perfect for the likes of us.

So here are the scores: Ambience - 4: Food 4 - cos Wind only had a couple of slithers of avocado on her salad . Service - 5 - excellent, and good portions. Value: - 5 , giving a cracking score of 18/20.

So folks, next Tuesday 27th - there is a visit to Pashley Gardens, near Ticehurst on the cards. Sadly they don't take dogs, but the reason for going is the promised thousands of tulips on show. If you fancy going let us know, then perhaps we could car-share or summink.

Otherwise, we shall meet on Tuesday 4 May - I have double-checked that this is correct. Venue to be announced.