Betchworth - The Dolphin

Tuesday 14th February - Valentine's Day

A Bootifull Walk

Walkers: Farty, T.B., 6 Legs, Windy, Mrs Provincial, Lil and Clat

Distance: 7 miles

Find of the Walk: - Boots of course!

Well, how good was this to be assembled once again. last week's snow/ice prevented ramblings, so we were raring to go. Farty, has marked her new map, and so we followed the shape drawn on it. We set off through the churchyard where big clumps of Galanthus (snowdrops to you and me) were pushing through and braving the weather.

We traversed through some fields and then upwards past Betchworth P.O. and over the very busy A25. On t'other side we ascended towards the railway line with the odd worker dotted about, and after skirting a bit, we came to a pair of boots, plonked firmly in the middle of the road. It looked as if the owner had been rocketed out of them - but where was he? The boots were full of water, size 10, so a perfect fit for T.B. - we re-located them for his collection later on.

If we had been a bit later we would have seen this steam train making plenty of whistling and smoke as it went across our route. it was really traveling at quite a pace! (photo taken 3 days later by TB)

Clan Line steaming out of Betchworth

Another upward hill to follow, and then a few more ups and downs as we did some more skirting along the bottom (now there's a play on words) of Box Hill. We had a break overlooking the old kiln works, where a raptor or albatross (later properly identified by Mrs P as a Peregrine Falcon) was spotted wheeling around. Mrs P provided more fabulous fare - we shall miss her when she's being erected in S.A. We proceeded. The track was very slippery and snowy in parts, with trees being cleared at various intervals. We also came across another boot - this time, a child's size, 'off the peg', as it was attached to a tree - co-incidence or what?

At the next junction, we decided to 'road it' back to the A25 once more. Our intended route through a field was changed due to it looking like a lake - we haven't learned how to walk on water thus far. Next minute an ambulance came by, followed by a local farmer's wife in her 4 x 4. She stopped to tell us a walker had fallen and broken her ankle. Her kind husband had taken the ambulance crew + equipment in his equipment, and gotten them to their patient. He sounds like a very nice man. We had quite a chat - Farty told her about in-considerate farmers, so I think she got her message across.

On her advice, we took another route - found loads of gigantic dog poo, and a yellow portaloo (another bit of wordage for you) and successfully, arrived back to our pub. We realised that the place was busy due to excess of children - it's half-term - you have been told!!

A table was found - the menu was limited but we ordered. T.B. had trouble with his organiser trousers which became rather dis-organised, as he had lost 'the' voucher for this pub. He disappeared to the loo, and re-organised himself, and found his chitty - one free bottle of wine then. Being the incurable romantic that he is , he bought us all a drink - thank you T.B. we love you too.

Food was ok - nothing to write home about which is exactly what I am doing.

The pork came from dingley dell though - none of us had it.

Time for the bill, to drink up and then proceed on our merry way.

See you next week - love is in the air - don't catch cold !