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