Bletchingley V - The Whyte Harte

The Possibilities are Endless

Tuesday: 23 November

Walkers: Farty, T.B., 12 Legs, Mrs P, Windy, Lil and Clat. Sally joined us for lunch. Registrara is working, and Hootsmon is in Delhi.

Distance: 71/2 miles

Finds of the Walk: a plastic decoy pigeon, and a colourful ballpoint pen - which worked!

Weather: sunny, chilly wind, grey skies in the background - at least it wasn't raining.

We assembled at the Whyte Harte, for our usual pre-ramble coffees and examined Windy's face. She is healing well, thank goodness, with a few visible remnants from her fall - the song 'two lovely black eyes' no longer applies. Clat's brain, on the other hand, has not improved, as she turned up with her trousers on, inside-out - time for a tablet? Sue is under the doctor (if you'll pardon the expression), with her knee, and we are hoping it will withstand today's walk.

Manly Sherlock Dawg

Heading south, west, then south again, we travelled a little of the Greensand Way, and eventually had the M23 on our right. Quite surreal , as we were in the countryside and the drivers, weren't. Soon we came to a field full of dead wood, and T.B. photographed a log which looked just like a reindeer lying down. T.B./alias Steve Carter, vet. was sporting a very nifty deerstalker, so was quickly re-named Sherlock Holmes. However, when the earflaps went down, the look changed once more, to a Deputy Dawg impression, so we shall call him Sherlock Dawg - piccie attached with him looking manly.

We came to Henhaw Farm, and crossed a field containing Shetland ponies and vertically-challenged donkeys, so we called it Heehaw Farm - haw haw haw. One of them had lovely black rings round his eyes - running with Windy then? He came over for a nuzzle and a cuddle and was given some goodies to nibble on.

Talking of which, we have to mention the weekly delights provided by Mrs P and her Aga - gorgeous concoctions of fruits, nuts and gooey things - always delicious, and very much appreciated - yum yum.

Our next venue was Burstow Park Farm, a lovely Jane Austen type building, offering fresh eggs (laid that morning, no less), and honey, so some of the party did a bit of shopping.

Some lovely open-country walking followed, and we were heading towards Outwood. Thank heavens that Lil did a reverse-look at a stile, and noticed the correct signage to turn left - otherwise we would have been horribly off-track. After many fields , mud, and the odd air shaft or two, we were soon on the final path to the pub. We spotted two fat women with 4 fat pugs - who said dogs look like their owners? Farty also pointed out another dead wood structure which looked like a screaming witch.

Yet again, a positive and warm welcome from the pub staff, who are really getting to know us, and it was all nearly perfect. Marks were lost because the original fab chips are not provided any more, and some of the fish batter wasn't crispy enough. 18/20 - still a good mark, though.

Next walk will be Tuesday 30th November, which is St Andrews Day, and Hootsmon can celebrate. Venue - The Plough at Leigh to do Leigh I - one of our originals. ta ta.

Reigate Hill II - The Yew Tree Pub

Now, Where Did I Leave My Brain?

Tuesday 16th November

Walkers: Farty, T.B., Chris 2/12 legs, Mrs Provincial aka African Queen, Registrara aka African Queen II, Hootsmon, Lil, and Clatchat.

No Wind -y today as she has taken a tumble resulting in two lovely black eyes - or was she at the Audley Harrison v Hay fight a few nights ago?
No Sue or dawgies, as she has a poorly knee and is awaiting an m.r.i. scan
Good luck to you both and hope you will be with us again very soon.

Find of the walk: a Toyota grille

Distance: 7 miles

Weather: pretty wonderful considering all the rain we've had - sunshine, blue skies, and fog earlier which caused the start of the brain loss - read on.

Today there was a smash on both sides of the wretched M25 between junctions 8 and 9. Clat and Lil departed early in order to navigate the horrendous traffic jams. Good progress was made, until Clat took the wrong lane at the approach to j8 and sailed off eastwards. Seeing the vast lines of traffic on the 'other side' she was determined to get back as quickly as possible. A heading North followed by a Westerly stretch, meant that they were only 20 mins late - marvellous. Mrs P also held up at j 8 and others had a trying time coming up Reigate Hill.

Matters were not helped by discovering that the loos on the hill were closed for repair, and there are no decent bushes at this time of year.

We did our meetings and greetings as quickly as possible - there was a bit of boot action from the back of Mrs P's car, but we assembled and departed (more brain loss later). Down the hill we went - North Downs Way - and boy was it muddy. Along the golf course - Pilgrims Way - and eventually the outskirts of Merstham Village. Across the road and along a bit, before heading steeply upwards - Windy a real fave for you.

We made it to Fanny's Farm in record time, and were met with a lovely welcome ,as we settled into the bohemian atmosphere which is typical Fanny. T.B. made a slice of cake disappear in record time, and coffees and teas were served to all. News of Windy's demise has travelled fast and far, as Fanny had provided a suitable sign. We said hello to the vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, happy in their 7" of mud and taking in the sunshine. Of course the chickens were observed and admired by - guess who?

Trekking on and enjoying the sunshine, we crossed some fields and found a man - not so odd you would think, but he was walking in a suit and tie and ordinary shoes. We asked if all was ok and he, quite flustered , told us he was - how odd, but you never know what/who you will find on our walking days.

Still maintaining excellent timings we were back at the car park , and admired Registrara's new racey, red, car. She and Hoots had to leave us so farewells were said. This is when Clat discovered more brain-draining as she found her car front door wide open, which, presumably had been left like that after her hurried departure for the walk. Well, Meriva intacta is all she could think, as nothing had been taken or interfered with - how's that for safety (and luck) then?

As our furry friends were not here today, we drove to the Yew Tree Pub and had another lovely welcome. Nothing was too much trouble, and the staff friendly and welcoming . The landlady told us she was pregnant - a surprise to her as this was baby no 3., and after a gap of 12 years , completely un-expected. She had also just sold her people-carrier car, and got rid of all the baby stuff from the loft - that is called sod's law.

Farty and T.B. had to sign a 'beef cooked rare' disclaimer, so they cannot sue for undercooked meat - what is this world coming to?

Top marks again, so we are now having to look hard on points to mark down with.

Next walk: Tuesday 23rd November - Bletchingley - The Whyte Harte - we may be cooking-up another new walk from this popular venue. keep warm and keep dry. xxxxxx

East Grinstead - Dunnings Mill

Un-hinged and Bracket

Tuesday 2nd November

Walkers: Farty, T.B., 12legs, Windy, Clatchat and Lil

The African Queen (aka Mrs P) is suffering with kofta balls, Registrara is in Sarth Africa, Sally - where are you?, Hootsmon - unable to make it.

Find of the walk: the bracket - some of us are, however, un-hinged.

Weather: Grey, windy in parts, some sunny spells - very mild.

Distance: 8 1/2 miles, and according to Janet Street Pawter, we only need to walk 9 miles a week to stave off alzheimers - nearly there folks.

Gathered together, ready for the off, and so eager that we missed the correct start of our route. After a little way up a little hill, we returned and found the right route - right outside the pub. We walked northwards, behind some big houses and came across an ornamental duck pond with different varieties of our beaky friends. The duck-house had been tethered - no more floating voters then? A stack of wooden pallets also took our attention especially when Farty uttered the word 'buggeries'. She meant a home for bugs and we thought different - moving swiftly on...........................

Found bracket with Arborfield Buggery

A little bit of roadage and on to the next track, where we were nearly knocked flying by a corpulent male who filled his little jeep with himself. He glared at us and we noted a plastic pig was covering his tow-bar - says it all really. We arrived at a land-fill site which was also the site of the latest workings for the Bluebell Railway, and the track has been laid thus far - good news. We found Meeester Pig again, and this time he was friendly. As it turned out he worked for a local gun shop and was there to test some shotguns, which interested Clat as she used to do clay-pigeon shooting.

Our route then took us across open and muddy fields, with a wind that sprang up from nowhere - skiddy stuff, so we were pleased to be out and on to the Sussex Border Path. Some lovely countryside then followed - wide grassy avenues, vistas, and the glorious colours of an English autumn to be seen. At one point Farty transformed herself into a Thai bride, as a sweet chestnut decided to open up and land on her head - ' sawadika ' as they say over there.

A quick break and more lovely countryside - quite a few footbridges too, and eventually we came to Fenn Place Mill - a gorgeous home for someone. We were now heading southwards and came to Kingscote Station, on the Bluebell line. A quick chat to the stationmaster meant that the 'Fenchurch' was running today, with an observation carriage. We had a deadline to meet if we were going to see this iron beast in action so on we went, met a lovely Jack Russell called Booey, who laid a stick at T.B.'s feet, and arrived in time at our viewing point. T.B. got as close to the tracks as possible, whipped out his device, and photographed the on-coming train. We waved at the occupants, and they waved back - mission accomplished, although T.B. wondered out loud if any of us had brought some red knickers to wave - what HAS he been watching?

Homeward bound - we tracked through Mary Wood, The Rough, and High Wood, passed some hockey pitches and the Scientology place (heavily guarded), finishing along the High Weald Landscape Trail.

We were more than ready for our food and drink - we ate indoors and all was good although for Windy un oeuf was not enouef , but the fault was rectified. Forgot to mark it but reckon it was all pretty perfect. T.B. said the men's loo was good.

The next walk: Tuesday 9th November (we know already that Mrs P will not be coming - it's her birthday!): Reigate Hill - with, hopefully, a stop for cawfeee at Fanny's Farm. Cheerio x