Walton Heath - The Duke's Head

Shoe Me The Way To Go Home (supplied by Lil) 

Tuesday 14th December

Walkers: Farty, T.B., Windy, Lil and Clat. Everyone else has commitments and stuff.

Find of the Walk: a black trainer - hence title of blog

Distance: A whopping 91/2 miles

Weather: murky, dull, damp, wet, snowy in parts, very muddy in parts, cold.

Being so few of us we were suited and booted earlier than the norm. and set off over Banstead Heath towards the pond, which was 90% frozen over, and loads of ducks were on the periphery quacking about. Here, we found a road name which was suitable for Windy, so we got her to pose - and now this is the end to references about beds! A workman nearby - who wasn't working (surprise, surprise), offered to move his 'men at work' sign for our photographic shoot - ha ha ha, but Windy carried on with her poses extraordinaire.

Upwards now, through fields and woodlands, a subway under the M25, before reaching Headley, where we had our first break. This did not last long - too cold, and we set off again, passing many horses and ponies, who were dressed in the height of fashion with their Cath Kidston and other, bright and modern coats. A bit of dressage action was also going on - and then a bit of un-dressage action, as the rider took her jacket off.

T.B. is sporting some new eyewear - making a spectacle of himself - and we admired his new look. At various points, we found items of leg gear, starting with the trainer , and then a horse leg-gaiter followed by a hoof guard - what next? Actually, it was the same pair of underpants we had found a few months back - no takers then. We also spotted three deer - the sort with the cream bottoms.

Slightly before this we encountered some hosses on the loose. It appears that they'd managed to knock their field fencing down, and one of the stiles too. The result was that they were then in the footpath proper, and judging by the amounts of poo ,er sorry, rose compost, they had been there for a goodly time. Some manoeuvres were made and we were safely past them.

There followed a very muddy and icy track and no accidents - thankfully.

Back over the M25 and on to Banstead and Walton Heaths. The Sportsman pub was heaving, and we then wondered if our pub would be packed too. However, we had to get there, and the many tracks/paths and deviants meant that a little re-arranging of our route was necessary.

We got there in the end, and were pleased to soon be in the very welcoming atmosphere of one of our fave pubs, which had space for us. The landlady (always partial to a sighting of T.B), was her usual friendly self, and we had a good meal (altho Clat had burnt skin on her jacket - potato that is). We have decided we need to nominate a pub of the year, so we welcome your suggestions please, and the winner will be told, when we next get there.

Talking of next - the walk next Tuesday 21st. Farty and T.B. will be going to Brighton for the Burning of the Clocks event in the evening. They are hoping to get there for 1130 for walking and eating beforehand. Please contact them if you wish to go too. 21st is also the shortest day of the year, so the evenings will be getting lighter from then on - marvellous.

For the rest of us - undecided at the moment, as a walk will depend on people who are 'definites', bearing in mind the way the world seems to descend into chaos and busy-ness at Christmas. Failing this, a walk is planned for 28th - hopefully.

Right, for those we didn't or will not see - our love, thoughts and best wishes to you all for Christmas and the new year. Take care and cheers xxxxxx

Leigh I - The Plough

I'm Having a Leigh Down - read on!

Tuesday 7th December

Walkers: Farty, T.B., Mrs Provincial, Registrara, Lil and Clat. Windy could not make it as she is expecting a mattress - hence title of the walk - ha ha. 12 legs are escorting Mum to the dentist, Hoots has been re-arranged as a result of the snow, and is in Dubai, and Sally must be up there somewhere too.

Find of the walk - a pot of gold

Distance - 7 miles

Weather - fffffffrrrrrreeeeeeezing about -2 most of the way, but it was bright.

We didn't hang about with our pre-departure preparations and made our way down Clayhill lane, which had many icy parts, and eventually turned right and on to snow-covered fields. Fabulous views to behold, bright blue skies, and crisp and crunchy underfoot.

We know this walk well, so maps were not necessary, and after a while , came out onto Flanchford Road, noting a pair of navy blue underpants frozen to a gatepost - good night out or an 'accident'? - we didn't stay to investigate. The footpath then produced our gold, in the shape of golden chocolate coins, which were scattered for our benefit - rich beyond our wildest dreams - about 25p then.

Walking on the roads and footpaths meant conversations came to a halt, as attention was concentrated on not falling over, and none of us did, which was a real achievement. We crossed a snowy tundra and in the distance, spotted a nomadic tribe making their slow and steady progress - towards us it turned out, but they spoke our language and were not taking our route - thank goodness.

Once over Gadbrook Road, we had a quick stop for relief and refreshments, and noticed a walking signpost, standing erect and proud on the landscape. ' The Angel of the South' said T.B., and got his equipment out once more, to take a photo. Here, we had a practice run for Christmas, and did various ha ha ha poses followed by some ho ho ho ones ....................... judge for yourself, dear reader. Clat topped up the cold water bottles with some hot blackcurrant juice from her flask - next week it will be ChoCLAT - more ha ha ha then.

The snow produces some amazing footprints, and some, in particular, were rather disturbing, as they were the size of an albatross - we must be careful out here. Further along we saw a field of venison. The unsuspecting deer were gently grazing, blissfully unaware of our conversations about redcurrant jelly, dauphinoise spuds, and other niceties to complement the meat.

Wonham Mill came into view, and after years of neglect, it seems that this rather nice spot is to be converted into 'dwellings' (6 flats) - worth keeping an eye on. The albatross footprints continued, and we noticed, with alarm, that the prints were even impressed on the concrete - so they are heavy as well as big , then?

Mrs P just had to have this!

We trekked on through more fields and crossed the river, noting the evidence of some severe flooding , judging by the tidemarks, and debris left behind. It was obvious that round these parts, walkers are getting lost, as the farmer had kindly placed several 'no footpath' signs for us. Luckily, we knew our route, and after more fields, a road, and even more fields, the end was in sight. However in the final field, we had a lucky escape as an enormous pile of steaming straw and poo had landed in our path - we had missed the giant albatross!!! Through the churchyard, where T.B. spotted a tree with a 'face' on its trunk, and out to the cars. No stretching today - we zipped into the pub and had the usual high standard of service and attention, and lots of hot grub to warm us up.

Next walk - well, the jury's out. If you are unable to make next Tuesday 14th, please let us know, and if you are coming, and have a preference, then also let us know. This may be the last one before Christmas - you have been warned !!!!!!

Now, to bore you even further, here is a poem from my book - 'The poetry of Robert Frost'

'STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING'

"Whose woods these are I think I know

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep."

night night! xxxxx

Banstead Woods, Downlands Project

Here we are again with the livestock!

The shepherdess sees to her flock. Photos of a morning spent trying to park somewhere near the Woods with rain/sleet coming in all the time.Breaking ice on the various water troughs & then trudging back to the car somewhere towards Coulsdon

The Emerys go to town

Venue: Threave House, Isfield to Uckfield

Walkers: Mrs & Capt P!

Weather: Snowy and cold - what else?

Distance: About 5-6 miles

Time taken: 4 hours including an hour's visit to Tesco and bumping (almost literally) into friends

Pluses: Stunningly beautiful winter wonderland

Minuses: Unable to navigate due to white out!

As we woke to over a foot of snow, we decided to get some fresh air and walk across the fields into town (Uckfield) for some supplies. It's a very pretty and relatively easy walk but this time we decided to take another route/shortcut which we were pretty confident with . . BAD mistake! We hadn't realised just how much of the sineage had been obliterated with the snow and also how hard it made it when we realised we had taken the wrong direction and had to trudge back through knee deep snow. It wasn't helped by incorrect and missing signs from the farmers (thank you very much). However, we reckon it only added about half and hour to the time taken into town and it was absolutely beautiful. We were the only mad people out and about so we were walking through virgin snow - just a few deer and bird tracks and some lovely views. It was also so quiet, hardly a sound to be heard.

Having finally made it to town we dived into Tescos where predictably there was very little left on the shelves, but we did at least manage to get a few fresh veggies for our dinner. Loaded up the rucksacks, and set off for home. We then bumped into a number of friends before finally heading off back over the fields. Much easier journey this time as we had our old tracks to follow! However, in the first field we crossed Mrs P managed to take a tumble head first into a snow drift - much laughter from her caring husband! but was soon back on my feet until almost reaching the road to our house when I managed to slide off a snow covered bank and once again ended up in the white stuff! But - I had the last laugh as Alan needed to answer the call of nature and did exactly the same as me - I was, of course, all sympathy . . .

Arrived back home just in time to thaw out and have a restorative glass of chilled vino - brrrr! but most welcome! Cheers!

Hope you've all coped OK with the snow and are not housebound, and fingers crossed it's cleared by Tuesday - hope to see you all then!