East Grinstead, The Old Mill

Tracks , Cracks and Anoraks

Tuesday: 3rd August

Venue: The Old Mill at Dunnings

Walkers: Farty, T.T.T.B ( i shall explain later), Windy, Mrs Provincial, 12 Legs, Clatchat

Finds of the walk: - typical! just like buses - you don't see one for ages, then 6 come along at once. - 2 golf balls, 2 tee shirts, 1 baseball cap, 1 pair of plimsolls.(again, more later)

Weather: cloudy, fairly humid, occasional glimpses of sunshine

Distance: 8 miles

Before we set off, our Windy demonstrated some transformational changes, with some amazing and hilarious head gear, with wig attached. We all had a go, and thought T.B. looked a little like Iggy Pop. Windy then donned - a pair of pebble-dash glasses (just what had gotten into her? has that bout of diarrhoea gone to her brain? what will happen next week? will we be able to recognise her? - find out in next week's exciting instalment)

So, after much laughter we set off on our walk of the day. We were soon on the High Weald Landscape Trail where we found our first golf ball, and a very fit bloke, with a tractor, cutting the grass - anytime my dear - concentrate, woman.

We then encountered some really lovely countryside, with rather superb views and vistas, and, chatting as we do, we gaily climbed a hill, to discover we were not in the right place for our 'planned 'sighting of the steam train. Chris was edging along the fence, with a furtive look on her face, as cows were nearby, so we edged with her and had a break without bovines on our horizon. A thorough check of the maps meant a bit of re-tracing, and in so doing, we saw a family of deer gambolling (T.B. likes that word and asked me to put it in), which produced the aaaaah factor. Chris then found our missing signage, and we were back on the right track. We had already seen the steam train from the hill, but we got to a bridge, ran up the bank, and waved as it went past once more, and the driver and occupants waved back.

This is not enough for an anorak, and we very soon made our way round to another part of the track where we were within touching distance of the train. Here we got rather concerned about T.B.'s crack habit, as we watched him bend down to the rails. It was the wrong way for Mecca, and we don't know whether he was sniffing or kissing this beloved example of ironmongery, but anyway, a train was imminent, T.B. removed himself from the crack, and as the locomotive went by, we waved maniacally like the Railway Children we weren't.

Our path then led us towards the edge of the Weir Wood Reservoir, on the Sussex Border Path, and much busier than before, because the 'little darlings' are on their school holidays. A little further on is where we had our find feast. First of all , a tee shirt, temptingly wrapped round an overhead branch. Our gallant T.B., with the help of a long stick from Chris, managed to dislodge said item, and modelled it in his own special way. Farty found another tee shirt and a cap, and Clat found the plimsolls, which she put to good use as her legs were shrinking. Now, T.T.T.B stands for Technical, (cos he's good on a web), Tee shirt, Token Bloke -but only for this week.

The seasons are definitely changing, and today we saw many later summer flowers. The light is softer, the crops are maturing and being harvested, and we shall soon be in the season of autumn mists -or do i need to clean my glasses again?

A pylon confirmed we were still on track, and we headed upwards towards Standen - an N.T. house, which is closed on Tuesdays, but we walked straight into the grounds from the back, and got a freebie viewing of the lovely gardens and veg patch - nice marrows, mrs.

Nearly home, and a return to the H.W.L.T. , where we found another golf ball.

The pub did not score as highly as before, mainly due to the longer wait for our food, and getting the order wrong for teas and coffees, so deduct two points. Not to be outdone, Minnie then tried the afore-mentioned headgear - results as shown!

Right then - next walk is the Sue 12 legs Birthday Walk, and we are meeting on Tues 10 August, 1030, at the White Hart in Bletchingley (you can park at the rear). They stop food at 1430, but do not close, but a prompt start would be appreciated.