Fores and afters
Wednesday 8th September
Venue :The Ramblers Rest pub
Walkers: Farty and Clatchat - a rambling duo
Distance: 8 miles
Find of the walk: a golfball
Weather: very muggy (no, it's wednesday - ha ha ) and humid. Rain threatened, but never arrived, watery sunshine towards the end.
After discovering we had parked at opposite ends of the car park, Clat and Farty were re- united and ready for walking. This is known territory for Farty, as it's where she comes to check the cows. So, we started off in the cow field, only to discover they were not there - or were they hiding? This area is, and has been, abundant in wild flowers, so must have been fabulous at one time. I would say 'close your eyes and picture this walk, as we have no photos', but then you wouldn't be able to read the blog.
Over the railway crossing we then went, and downhill and through some lovely wooded walking areas - so still, and so quiet, and many mushrooms to be had - I went out with a mushroom once, he seemed like a really fun guy (fungi - gettit?). It felt misty and damp, so we checked our trousers, and continued................ We came across a track, and found it bedecked with fabulous blackberry bushes, so we stopped and picked, and munched for a while.
At Canons Farm we hung a left, and headed along and towards the Legal & General Offices, where works were in progress. The waymarkers hadn't been diverted or covered, so we pressed on, into the works. Here, we were approached by a tall Irishman, resplendent in hard hat and donkey jacket, more or less asking us what we were doing there. Immediately Farty and Clat went on the offence, and pointed to the signs, which they had obviously omitted to check and rectify. We stood our ground and were bid a pleasant afternoon by our gaelic friend, who then strode off, purposefully.
Eventually we arrived at the Well House Inn, for a cup of coffee (Sue please note!). We were served in the garden and enjoyed some outside freshness, which was soon pervaded by a waft of cigarette - time to move on. We completed a u-bend shape and came to Chipstead lane once more. Very soon, a signpost promised us a route downwards through a gate, and ' very soon' we re-traced our steps as we came to a gipsy-like encampment - rubbish and stuff everywhere, and awfully (a popular Surrey word) overgrown. Bad vibes abounded.
We found another footpath further along the road and made a bee-line for the track to Shabden Farm shop. Lovely grub to be had, and we did a good shop. Ham hocks, pork chops, black pudding, eggs, chuck steak, and pork/plum and ginger sausages - so a lot of baggage to be carried.
The track then led downhill once more and along towards the pub, and a chance to rest our weary legs - straight into the pub, where we received great service, and shared a mezze board. Full marks for this place by the way - couldn't fault it, and as we were leaving, Farty espied a plum tree, and we had another picking session - marvellous.
Right next walk will be Tuesday 21 Sept, unless the East Sussex posse wish to promote one. Farty will be elsewhere and Clat is expecting a friend from the Shires so both out of the picture. Let's hope we can all make 21st instead.
Happy hoofing everyone xxx
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