Frolicking in the Bluebells
Distance: 8 miles
Time Taken: 3 1/2 hoursWalkers: Farty, TB, Wendy Nohills, Polly Possibly and Mrs Provincial. Apologies for absence from Clat and Lil - Clat having major problems with her bursae - and 2 legs who had a touch of tummy problems. We wish them a speedy recovery!
Weather: Hot! Clear blue skies and temperatures that felt more like high summer
Find of the walk: Not much to report, just a rather grotty lacey headband lying in the path
We started just a little later than planned as poor Farty and TB had hit bad traffic on the way down but we soon set off from the pub, headed down the lane and turned off onto the footpath. We found some pretty Vinca plants growing by the
wall bordering the path - Mon
soon acquired a few stems for Wend to plant in her garden! We headed out of the village and onto the golf course which was looking suitably stunning in the spring sunshine - and full of golfers some of whom actually spoke to us - so not as snooty a course as you might expect in this pretty part of Surrey! The only thing to spoil the glorious day was a very overpowering smell of . . . . muck spreading - lovely! Ah well, I suppose one of the hazards
of walking in the countryside! We caught a glimpse of a beautiful fox who chose to watch us from a distance - TB felt it might have been threatened by his raging testosterone!The path became quite sandy as we walked close to the quarry/sand pit and we soon arrived at Godstone. Across the green and out onto the path that leads to Bay Pond. We took our break here (very welcome as we were already somewhat hot and sweaty!) and divvied round the last of the gingerbreads from last week. We were very soon joined by some ducks who can obviously spot a mug from a distance
and yours truly gave them the last of my food!
Soon back on the road and almost
immediately came to Church Town and St Nicholas Church. We've been here many times before but this time decided to have a little look around. The church itself was locked, but a notice pointed us in the direction of the chapel which is attached to the beautiful almshouses, so in we went for a gander. It was really lovely, small with a wonderful mosiac floor and lovely windows and woodwork. There were a number of leaflets giving information about the church and houses and also local famous people, one of whom was a gentleman by the very grand sounding name of Edmund Seyfang Taylor (1853-1908) - aka "Walker Miles". Now, if I was really clever I could scan the information about him onto the blog, but only being a girl of limited technical ability I'm afraid you'll have suffice with me telling you that: he is buried in the churchyard, was known as Chief/Great Pathfinder, his "Fieldpath Rambles" book is well known and he is revered in the world of rambling! How appropriate for us Raras. We all thought the almshouses were just divine and as there are 8 of them reckon we could all retire to them and ramble away to our heart's content!
So we left Church Town and zig zagged out way towards Leigh Place and its Ponds. Polly Possibly had by this time spied a number of beautiful houses which she fancied
moving to, but we then found THE house of her dreams - a beautiful pink house complete with views, lovely garden with a summer house, balcony overlooking what we presume was a walled garden and the swimming pool - perfect! She was just about to dial the number of Pickfords when we dragged her away and back to reality . . .
It had also become apparent for a while that there had at various times been a strange whirring sound followed by even more strange clicks - lurking at the back of us we noticed a rather secretive Miss Nohills taking photos with a disposable camera, dateline probably circa 1985 . . it should have been on the antiques roadshow!! She's been dropping hints for ages about needing a new camera (well, that much is obvious!) so perhaps she thought if we felt sorry for her we might cough up for a birthday pressi . . no chance now, it gave us all such a laugh, can't wait to see how the photos turn out . . . if at all .. ..
We carried on passed Leigh Place Ponds, close to the site of our swan rescue, over the road just south of The Enterdent and along and into a lovely woodland. Still looking for the elusive bluebells, we began to slow down as the path climbed slowly uphill - the heat was definitely getting to
us! So we had another quick pit stop and once again set off - Farty leading the way, the rest of us muttering about how far it was to the pub! However, as we turned onto Tilburstow Hill our patience was rewarded and there in all their glory were swathes of magnificent bluebells. We kept stopping to ooo and aaahh - at this point TB felt that one glimpse of bluebells was quite enough for anyone - but did also mention that it did rather make you want to frolick in them . . well, Farty was having none of that and set off at a brisk pace to continue the walk!So finally back into Bletchingly and the very welcome sight of the pub. It was looking exceptionally patriotic, decked out in a sea of St George's flags. We sat outside, the food arrived quickly and the conversation turned very quickly to the favourite breakfast time subject of all self respecting cabin crew - poo! We were obviously missing Clat and her quizz - so please get better soon!
We forgot to mark the pub, but I would think it rated fairly highly - plenty of space to park, (very happy for us to do so), welcoming, good menu, good food, good service and average prices. Ambulance was good - we liked the patriotic feel - but of course the sunshine did help.
Unfortunately I can't make next week (rellies staying) but think the plan is for a Bluebell Railway day - so await joining instructions!
Have a lovely Easter weekend - may it be filled with lots of lovely chocolate!
Weather: Hot! Clear blue skies and temperatures that felt more like high summerFind of the walk: Not much to report, just a rather grotty lacey headband lying in the path
We started just a little later than planned as poor Farty and TB had hit bad traffic on the way down but we soon set off from the pub, headed down the lane and turned off onto the footpath. We found some pretty Vinca plants growing by the
wall bordering the path - Mon
soon acquired a few stems for Wend to plant in her garden! 
of walking in the countryside! We caught a glimpse of a beautiful fox who chose to watch us from a distance - TB felt it might have been threatened by his raging testosterone!
and yours truly gave them the last of my food!
Soon back on the road and almostimmediately came to Church Town and St Nicholas Church. We've been here many times before but this time decided to have a little look around. The church itself was locked, but a notice pointed us in the direction of the chapel which is attached to the beautiful almshouses, so in we went for a gander. It was really lovely, small with a wonderful mosiac floor and lovely windows and woodwork. There were a number of leaflets giving information about the church and houses and also local famous people, one of whom was a gentleman by the very grand sounding name of Edmund Seyfang Taylor (1853-1908) - aka "Walker Miles". Now, if I was really clever I could scan the information about him onto the blog, but only being a girl of limited technical ability I'm afraid you'll have suffice with me telling you that: he is buried in the churchyard, was known as Chief/Great Pathfinder, his "Fieldpath Rambles" book is well known and he is revered in the world of rambling! How appropriate for us Raras. We all thought the almshouses were just divine and as there are 8 of them reckon we could all retire to them and ramble away to our heart's content!
So we left Church Town and zig zagged out way towards Leigh Place and its Ponds. Polly Possibly had by this time spied a number of beautiful houses which she fancied
moving to, but we then found THE house of her dreams - a beautiful pink house complete with views, lovely garden with a summer house, balcony overlooking what we presume was a walled garden and the swimming pool - perfect! She was just about to dial the number of Pickfords when we dragged her away and back to reality . . .It had also become apparent for a while that there had at various times been a strange whirring sound followed by even more strange clicks - lurking at the back of us we noticed a rather secretive Miss Nohills taking photos with a disposable camera, dateline probably circa 1985 . . it should have been on the antiques roadshow!! She's been dropping hints for ages about needing a new camera (well, that much is obvious!) so perhaps she thought if we felt sorry for her we might cough up for a birthday pressi . . no chance now, it gave us all such a laugh, can't wait to see how the photos turn out . . . if at all .. ..
us! So we had another quick pit stop and once again set off - Farty leading the way, the rest of us muttering about how far it was to the pub! However, as we turned onto Tilburstow Hill our patience was rewarded and there in all their glory were swathes of magnificent bluebells. We kept stopping to ooo and aaahh - at this point TB felt that one glimpse of bluebells was quite enough for anyone - but did also mention that it did rather make you want to frolick in them . . well, Farty was having none of that and set off at a brisk pace to continue the walk!We forgot to mark the pub, but I would think it rated fairly highly - plenty of space to park, (very happy for us to do so), welcoming, good menu, good food, good service and average prices. Ambulance was good - we liked the patriotic feel - but of course the sunshine did help.
Unfortunately I can't make next week (rellies staying) but think the plan is for a Bluebell Railway day - so await joining instructions!
Have a lovely Easter weekend - may it be filled with lots of lovely chocolate!
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