Mud is Thicker Than Water
Tuesday 21 February - Shrove Tuesday, aka Pancake Day
Walkers: Farty, T.B., 8 Legs, Windy, Lil and Clat. Mrs P has gorn orf to s.a. to watch the beginning of an erection.
Find of the Walk: A beautiful double-headed snowdrop
Distance: 7 miles (just under)
Parked and assembled promptly, so we were off by 1035 - a record for us. We started at the churchyard, noting clumps of snowdrops and crocus, and along then down towards the old manor house that we know , in Brewer Street.
We are trekking on old and new paths today so, much map-managing was required. This meant some un-predicted hazards, mainly mud and lots of it. Any clean boots were soon ruined, as we hung on to bits of fence, bush , or people, to get across some very squidgy areas. We found quite a few bunches of ponies, looking bedraggled and fed-up in their wintry ( I wonder?) land. At one point, some very nifty double-stileing was performed as we hopped from one set to the other, without touching the ground, although Clat was having a little trouble with her trailing leg, which kept doing just that at important moments, resulting in much smearing of muck on top rails - apologies, will get my boots spring-loaded for the next walk.
The countryside round here is similar to Leigh in that you have wide open vistas the whole time, with the gentle? rumblings on the M23 in the distance - charming. We had our first break, and then set off towards some old quarry pits, and an alarming smell of gas - who ate all the beans then? Luckily, none of us, and we soon spotted day-glowed workmen and a van, from the gas board, so all is well in the world - boooooooooooooooooooom!
Up then, through Mercers Park and to the Merstham Road which was all new territory. We had to fight our way through some very odd and overgrown areas, but by keeping rigidly to the map, it does eventually make sense. One area of very tufty grass got our boots clean again, and this also housed derelict caravans, trampolenes, and dog kennels , plus the remains of a parakeet - keep moving. 
Eventually we were back at Brewer Street, to complete the circle , and noting an Everton mint house on the way. Some of our group were trailing behind, and we discovered, that left to their own devices, they'd found a tree full of holes, which is now to be called the sphincter tree - you can't leave them 5 minutes can you? Oh, and they also found the beautiful snowdrop, so a bit of redeemage here. 
So, time to de-boot and re-group at the pub. A very warm and friendly welcome from the landlady, and we were accommodated, and 'served' really well. The prices were low and the food was high in marks. (nearly got you there). Windy's wonderful remark re loss of ketchup was that she was out-sauced -gettit? we all did . In fact this venue is great for all of us to get to, and the walks are multiple.
Next week Lil and Clat are by the seaside and the conducting will be performed by Farty, who was concerned she sounded a bit draconian last week re farmers. Not at all, we all don't like the ones who hide the footpath signs, and grow their crops right across our passsages -time for an oooo matron here. Our right to roam is important, but I think I've roamed on enough for one week. See you soon.xxxxxx
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