We Adder in Warnham
Tuesday 28 June
Walkers: Farty, T.B., 12 Legs, Windy, Registrara, Lil and Clat. Sally is having a new bathroom fitted, and collecting her new mini (car, not dog) today. Trish is still abroad, and Hoots possibly, is too.
Find of the walk: an adder, but a squished one.
Distance: forgot to say that last week it was 6 miles, and this week it was 4 and then whatever the others did.
The weather was threatening - the forecast of heavy thunderstorms had not materialised thus far, so we got on with the task in hand. Assembled in this quite picturesque village pub car park, we exchanged the usual pleasantries and sticky kisses (due to the heat), before setting off in a south-easterly direction.
Through crop-filled fields and on towards the path surrounding Warnham Court and its deer fields. Both sexes were evident, and some gorgeous sets of antlers were on parade from the magnificent stags. Watch out for autumn as the noise of their roars and the clashing of their mantlepieces is a sound and a sight to behold. Kate Humble you need to be here.
We followed what used to be the old Horsham Road, which is now a quiet country lane, where we found the adder. He was a lovely snake in his time, and that's not often you put those two words together, either. Moving on............
Now here is where we went into lostness once more. The signage was clear at the start (it always is), and then dis-appeared. We approached the grounds of a farm and were immediately spotted by a young wench with a wheelbarrow full of muck. We asked her if we were in the right place - we were not, and even though we could see the road we needed to be in, we had to retrace our steps. Some of the gang went the prohibited way, and others did a complete reversal.
During this manoeuvre we found some hidden signs, and decided this would be the route for another walk altogether. It is really lovely countryside round here, and Farty has discovered even more rich seams of walkage.
Back on the road (Robin Hood Lane) and over it, we entered the grounds of the deer park itself. These gorgeous bambis paused, posed and then proceeded off with T.B. in attendance, his zoom lens in tow. Lil found the remnants of an antler - only a small piece , which was surprisingly hefty, so these stags have a lot to cart round on their heads. The ominous sounds of heavy rumbling pervaded the air, which meant the forecast storms were on their way. Once out of these grounds we came to Bailing Hill, where Clat and her hips, plus Lil and Reg bade farewell to the others and headed back to the pub. A lovely village walk for us three ensued, past pretty little gardens and chocolate-box cottages - what a ridiculous expression. We noticed a pub called The Greets - more chocolate, and then found ourselves in the main street once again. The village butcher here is very popular as he has lovely meat, well hung and tasty - the meat, not the butcher.
By now the rumblings were getting louder and more frequent. We three changed and charged into the pub and had a drink before saying our good-byes.
The others got back before the heavens opened, and texted to say the food was fabulous - this is their opportunity to add their bit ..........................
Well, we're not very good bloggers! We've added some photos with some captions & we're afraid left a lot to the imagination: made it back to the pub just before the heavens opened!
Flax Farm
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| Windy & Clat find a retirement home! |
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| What a poser! |
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