The Nobodies go for a walk
Venue: The Oak at Ardingly
Walkers: Farty, TB, 10 legs minus 8, Windy Nohills and Mrs Provincial. Chris on hospital appointments, Clatters and Lil still laid low by bad bursas, Hoots on flying duties we presume, Polly being definitely Possibly not. Sally joined us for lunch - good to see you!
Weather: Beautiful: warm, sunny, a few puffy clouds and a nice breeze to cool us down.
Distance/time taken: 7 1/2 miles, 3 hours 20 including 1 stop, 1 water break and a few views to ooh and aahh over (and a duck feeding!)
Find of the walk: A solitary glove
We set off just about on time and headed out from the pub and through the village via the recreation ground - and very smart it was too, with pristine play equipment with the required safety surface underneath so the little darlings don't hurt themselves when they inevitably fall - much muttering about 'elf and safety' and 'it didn't do us any harm when we fell off onto a concrete surface and knocked outselves out'. We are obviously getting old! We passed a development called Hett Close and Hapstead House which looked as if the main house might once have been of interest - all I can find out is that it was a privately owned Victorian house before being converted into apartments (flats to you and me!) in 2000.
It was just a short time afterwards that we realised that we had missed our turning so we decided to carry on down towards Ardingly reservoir. TB spotted a field full of all sorts of equipment - not too sure if it was a horse jumping course? So, down to the reservoir, over a causeway and soon we arrived at one of the bird hides - this one called Kingfisher. Farty investigated but sadly it was locked - we disturbed some nesting swallows so spent some time watching them swoop and dive overhead - beautiful. We decided to take an early break and try as we might we couldn't see any of the elusive kingfishers.
Off we set and were soon climbing up West Hill and away from the reservoir - and quite a long hill it was too! The warm day probably slowed us down a bit but we soon reached the top and the views were beautiful.
Whilst heading downhill again through a pretty wood we then met the dreaded walking group approaching us up the hill. The tour leader, or should I say fearsome sergeant major barked at Mon (who was leading at this point) - 'and who are you?' To which Mon memorably replied 'Oh, we're nobody'! It turned out that they were a walking group from U3A, Haywards Heath branch - clearly, you have to be somebody to walk!! Well, we know exactly who we are, but think that for evermore we'll be known as the Nobodies - Banstead sub district, Provincial members etc etc!
We crossed the reservoir once again on a long bridge from where the reservoir appeared more like a fast flowing river. Uphill again, and more lovely views - this one was from a gorgeous spot where we found a stone bench dedicated to a lady who must have been a keen walker - we decided to take in the view from her bench but were sooned joined by a pair of his and her ducks who waddled down the hill towards us. They weren't daft - obviously used to walkers feeding them so they ended up with the last of the flapjacks!
The walk kept skirting Wakehurst Place and on one track we found some interesting purply plants - almost sedum like - which we reckon must have come from the gardens. Soon after we came across what we for one moment thought was another wildlife casualty (oh no!) - a young female pheasant just sitting in the middle of the road. She didn't move as we approached so I went to pick her up - at which point she very indignantly squawked and flew off into the undergrowth! There's thanks for you.
As the day was quite hot we decided to take another quick water break, this time just after passing through Tillinghurst Farm. We were skirting round a field of cows and their calves, and after setting off again rounded the corner of the field and decided to stop to look at them. We suddenly realised that one of the cows had - how shall I put it - rather a red looking posterior - so out came the binoculars and we then realised that much to our amazement it had just given birth! I don't wish to put you all off your breakfast/lunch/dinner - but I may just might! - as before our horrified eyes she proceeded to give birth to the afterbirth and then set about consuming it! Lovely. Just enough to put us in the mood for a pub lunch. And we thought cows were vegetarian!
Hysteria was obviously setting in at this point: Sue has been walking with a stick which Miss Nohills was asking about. Sue replied that it wasn't a walking stick but a ski pole - our Wend then asked what on earth Amsterdam airport had to do with it (Schipol and all that -memories of short haul days!). Oh dear. The warm weather was getting to us!
We carried on towards the showground, passing through the village to do an 'add on' - down Church Lane with its lovely houses, down again towards the reservoir and along towards Ardingly College and its manicured lawns and posh pupils. Lots of dosh around here! The college is very beautiful - we wondered if the pupils actually appreciate their surroundings - and were much amused by a sign by at the front entrance called 'kiss and drop'. Once again, no such namby pamby nonsense in our day!
We were all feeling the heat and long last hill so were really glad to arrive back at the pub. Sally had beaten us to it and it was good to see her again. We do wonder how she copes with us oldies - she very kindly enquired what was new in our lives to which all we could muster up was 'nothing much really, nothing new or exciting has happened, just the same old. . 'The joys of retirement! Thanks Sal for putting up with us!
We sat outside - we didn't score the pub this time, but I think the general feeling was that although the food was good, the portion sizes could have been more generous.
Next week TBC - possibly Reigate Hill? Watch this space!
Venue: The Oak at Ardingly
Walkers: Farty, TB, 10 legs minus 8, Windy Nohills and Mrs Provincial. Chris on hospital appointments, Clatters and Lil still laid low by bad bursas, Hoots on flying duties we presume, Polly being definitely Possibly not. Sally joined us for lunch - good to see you!
Weather: Beautiful: warm, sunny, a few puffy clouds and a nice breeze to cool us down.
Distance/time taken: 7 1/2 miles, 3 hours 20 including 1 stop, 1 water break and a few views to ooh and aahh over (and a duck feeding!)
Find of the walk: A solitary glove
We set off just about on time and headed out from the pub and through the village via the recreation ground - and very smart it was too, with pristine play equipment with the required safety surface underneath so the little darlings don't hurt themselves when they inevitably fall - much muttering about 'elf and safety' and 'it didn't do us any harm when we fell off onto a concrete surface and knocked outselves out'. We are obviously getting old! We passed a development called Hett Close and Hapstead House which looked as if the main house might once have been of interest - all I can find out is that it was a privately owned Victorian house before being converted into apartments (flats to you and me!) in 2000.
It was just a short time afterwards that we realised that we had missed our turning so we decided to carry on down towards Ardingly reservoir. TB spotted a field full of all sorts of equipment - not too sure if it was a horse jumping course? So, down to the reservoir, over a causeway and soon we arrived at one of the bird hides - this one called Kingfisher. Farty investigated but sadly it was locked - we disturbed some nesting swallows so spent some time watching them swoop and dive overhead - beautiful. We decided to take an early break and try as we might we couldn't see any of the elusive kingfishers. 
Off we set and were soon climbing up West Hill and away from the reservoir - and quite a long hill it was too! The warm day probably slowed us down a bit but we soon reached the top and the views were beautiful.Whilst heading downhill again through a pretty wood we then met the dreaded walking group approaching us up the hill. The tour leader, or should I say fearsome sergeant major barked at Mon (who was leading at this point) - 'and who are you?' To which Mon memorably replied 'Oh, we're nobody'! It turned out that they were a walking group from U3A, Haywards Heath branch - clearly, you have to be somebody to walk!! Well, we know exactly who we are, but think that for evermore we'll be known as the Nobodies - Banstead sub district, Provincial members etc etc!
We crossed the reservoir once again on a long bridge from where the reservoir appeared more like a fast flowing river. Uphill again, and more lovely views - this one was from a gorgeous spot where we found a stone bench dedicated to a lady who must have been a keen walker - we decided to take in the view from her bench but were sooned joined by a pair of his and her ducks who waddled down the hill towards us. They weren't daft - obviously used to walkers feeding them so they ended up with the last of the flapjacks!
The walk kept skirting Wakehurst Place and on one track we found some interesting purply plants - almost sedum like - which we reckon must have come from the gardens. Soon after we came across what we for one moment thought was another wildlife casualty (oh no!) - a young female pheasant just sitting in the middle of the road. She didn't move as we approached so I went to pick her up - at which point she very indignantly squawked and flew off into the undergrowth! There's thanks for you.
Hysteria was obviously setting in at this point: Sue has been walking with a stick which Miss Nohills was asking about. Sue replied that it wasn't a walking stick but a ski pole - our Wend then asked what on earth Amsterdam airport had to do with it (Schipol and all that -memories of short haul days!). Oh dear. The warm weather was getting to us!
 |
| In the bin? |
We carried on towards the showground, passing through the village to do an 'add on' - down Church Lane with its lovely houses, down again towards the reservoir and along towards Ardingly College and its manicured lawns and posh pupils. Lots of dosh around here! The college is very beautiful - we wondered if the pupils actually appreciate their surroundings - and were much amused by a sign by at the front entrance called 'kiss and drop'. Once again, no such namby pamby nonsense in our day!
We were all feeling the heat and long last hill so were really glad to arrive back at the pub. Sally had beaten us to it and it was good to see her again. We do wonder how she copes with us oldies - she very kindly enquired what was new in our lives to which all we could muster up was 'nothing much really, nothing new or exciting has happened, just the same old. . 'The joys of retirement! Thanks Sal for putting up with us!We sat outside - we didn't score the pub this time, but I think the general feeling was that although the food was good, the portion sizes could have been more generous.
Next week TBC - possibly Reigate Hill? Watch this space!
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