Bletchingley II - The Whyte Harte again

When The Chips Are Down - Try Some Cock Soup

Tuesday 24th August
Walkers: Farty, T.B., Windy, 12 Legs, Registrara, Clat - no sign of Mrs Provincial, who may have overdone the grape juice - we wait in hope!

No Find of the Walk but the word of the day was Androgynous.

Weather: rather lovely, sunshine and blue skies, the first for many days, and quite warm.

Distance: only 6 miles and talk of lunch started before we even set off!

We met a little earlier than our start time of 1030, to partake in a caffeine hit and a clothing swap-shop. Please bring unwanted items before giving them to charity - it amuses the hotel staff to see us trying the stuff on. An exchange of jellies and jams also took place, as well as various fruits ready to be turned into the latter.
Chris arrived waving a banner headline in her hand from her local press 'Rogue Cow in Walker Attack' - trust her to find it. Apparently a rather stroppy Charolais had charged and head-butted the unfortunate victim, leaving her shaken and bruised with a sprained ankle. She was saved by two passing cyclists but a local expert stated that this was a very rare event - but obviously not impossible. Watch out for charging Charolais then - and learn the words to 'Mooooove Over'.

We eventually set off, and within yards, Windy had donned some more disguise, which she modelled Norah Batty style in front of someone's door. The owner of which was no doubt hiding, in case they had a 'stray' from the local home on her doorstep. The bright pink hairnet ensemble was then passed on to the dogs, so we now had Minnie Caldwell, and Josephine Sharples.

On to the Greensand Way we went and came to a pond with four legs sticking up. Quickly establishing it wasn't a Charolais, it was identified as a Chippendale with Cabriole legs - a very rare breed indeed.

The path climbed upwards to Gravelhill Wood ,past some disused workings, but not much in the way of markings. Once at the top though, some lovely vistas to be had. The compasses came into action, and we found the GSW again and carried on. Blackberries are in plentiful supply this year, and big ones too - so we had a bit of a pick.

Some more bad signage meant we missed Prickloves Farm (tee hee), and walked past Coldharbour Farm instead, and arrived at a perfect replica of Teletubby Land, as a lovely , green and domed hill appeared - who's going to be Dipsy then? - no comment. We headed downwards, levelled out and crossed the M23.

At Kentwyns, we started our return - and went uphill again, and came to a very weird and creepy big house. Left to rack and ruin, faded curtains at the windows, lots of abandoned cars outside, and a very still and murky atmosphere. We may have lingered a little longer, but a huge Rottweiler appeared (untethered), and knowing what big teeth they have, we quickened our pace and got back to the M23.

Here ,we re-traced some of last week's steps and upwards again past Castle Place (flats for sale at a mere 500k each - i don't think so). Because of Farty and Clat's frequent berry stops, the rest of the group went back by the shorter route, but, determined to do the marked version, F and C arrived a few moments after the others.

The Whyte Harte Food was ordered, and despite being told that the fabulous chips of last week, were 'on' , they were most definitely 'off'. The pie of the day not so good this time, and the veg was cold. No jug of water, drinks order incorrect - oh dear me. (a week is a long time in... Piccie editor)

T.B. came up with the alternative - 'Cock flavour soup' - available from Wing Yip, so there's the answer to everything.!!

So, next Tuesday 31st August it will be Bletchingley again - a Rupert the Bear shaped walk - see you there.