Leigh - The Plough

Tuesday 29th May

A Deleightful Day

Walkers:  Farty, T.B., 8 Legs, Lil and Clat.  Sally joined us for lunch - her Mum is dosed-up due to a bad back, and we all hope she gets better.  Trish just back from erections and busy. Windy returning her sister after hols abroad.

Find of the Walk:  a snake's vertebrae

Distance:  6.8 miles - very accurate today, as Sue also had a pedometer with her.

Right then we have managed to meet after many weeks of bad weather, and bizziness, to finally convene today and what fantastic weather.  A little too hot for some, but this known route does contain wooded areas for cooling down purposes, which was great for Minnie.  Walking in a thick fur coat is no fun, and especially when you can't see over the grass either.

Down the lane, and into a field, to encounter a golden lolloping labrador, who latched on to us, and thought life was grand - he was probably on a bitch-mission.  Minnie wasn't bothered, and after a field or two, we managed to lose him.  More fields were crossed, crammed full of buttercups, and crops growing well in this sunshine.  We've  not done this walk for a while, and changes were noted.  We came out on to Gadbrook Road where once a derelict house stood at the edge - not any more.  In its place stood a large wooden cabin, complete with verandah and garden furniture - progress indeed.  Kissing gates have also replaced the stiles in this neck of the woods too.

We had been congratulating ourselves on  the lack of bovines all too soon, as these were spied in the following field.  Chris was seen in the distance getting through it and out of it as soon as possible.  This  is where we found our find - probably squidged underfoot by a hoof or three.  She was so far ahead of us, that T.B. managed to take distance shots of her standing at the bridge by the Dolphin pub.  Here we parked-up for a bit, and had  a drink.  We sat in the garden - marvellous, and studied the menus here - getting rather pricey we thought.

Time to move on, and passing by Wonham Manor we spotted the spotted deer.  They looked  clean and pristine in their gorgeous coats and were not too bothered by the arrival of 6 hatted walkers.  Further down, Wonham Mill is really going through its menopause (the change).  Windows and doors are in, the conversions are happening at last, and it's all looking rather good.  However, whoever lives here needs a car cos there ain't much else around except of course, the lovely countryside and stream.  Through some more fields we travelled, disturbing a pheasant, and then, being disturbed , by a ' tractor 'spreading his fertiliser.  A monstrous machine it was, and creating soooooo much dust that it was like being enveloped in a ha ha - but it wasn't funny.  We retreated, and luckily the farmer stopped to chat to a colleague, so we could then march across the  soon-to-be fertile soil and get to the next field.

Back to base then, and a shady table in the garden.  Inside was no-go due to the re-laying of floors, but we embraced the thought of al fresco dining for a change.  Our Daily Male turned into the Daily Mail, as he buried himself in the news of the day, and us girlies talked about all sorts.  Food was fine - service could have been a bit more welcoming and friendly, but that's  Leighfe for you.

Next week, due to Jubilee, half-term, and no doubt bad weather(!) we shall not be moved.  The week after is pencilled in for the Dog and Duck (try saying that when you've had a few) at Outwood, but, as always, we shall text you nearer the time.

Have a Jubbly Jubilee xxxxxxxx

Reigate Hill - The Yew Tree

The Reigate Roundabout

Tuesday 1st May

Walkers:  Farty, T.B., 4 Legs, Windy, Lil and Clat.  Trish is still in S.A. watching her erection grow.  We hope she isn't meeting with any stiff opposition (tee hee hee).  Sally is inbound from the desert, and Minnie has had a bit of a hairdo, and with the very wet and muddy ground, added to  her having such a low under-carriage, it was felt that housebound would be the better option today.

Find of the Walk: - nothing really

Distance - 6 miles

Today we had two 59-ers.  Er, Windy who was 59 yesterday, and Clat who won't be 59 tomorrow, but was more than happy to celebrate her imminent 60th today.  We started the walk by stopping - to drink some wonderful buck's fizz (try getting that right after a few), kindly provided by Lil and her boot - delishhhhhhhous.  What a way to begin - who cares where we going - but we managed to set off in the right direction - downhill.

Conditions were muddy and slippy underfoot, and the weather rather claggy, with the definite promise of rain to come - haven't we had enough for the time being?  We got to the bottom and carried on eastwards, passing through some extensive wood smoke kindly provided by the national trust workers.  Done to a kipper we were.  On through the school grounds and Reigate golf of course. (see what I did there? as Rolf Harris would say). We turned left, and entered a road - Fanny's Farm was our shortcutted intended destination - it was raining again.  Once there, we noticed the place has had a bit of a facelift (it's closed on Mondays for the time being for re-furbishment).  We re-furbished our throats with bevs and treacle biscuits (yum yum), and proceeded to the woods. 

Some wonderful bluebell vistas were encountered, pics were taken.  T.B. has had a 91/2 out of ten for one of his pics - 'the wino stag' which relates to a beetle, and not himself.  Wind and Clat made sure he got his equipment out as several spring flowers were also competing with the blue jobs and the rape is just magnificent at the moment.  

Not much later we espied the lesser spotted rambler, three in fact, and one with a rucsack - but we realised they were novices by the amount of time they stood huddled around looking at bits of paper - we've all been there. 

We overtook them, and did some purposeful striding to eventually cross under the M25 and what was downhill became uphill, leading to the car park.  Once changed and stretched, it was off to the pub and a very good meal ensued.  Clat had some excellent prezzies (thank you so much ), including her very own 60 wineglass which was road-tested there and then.  The pub provided a slice of cake complete with candle - a very nice touch, and of course, did not need too much blow-power to extinguish. 

So hopefully, a good day was had by all - I know I did.   

Walking will be conducted by Farty next week, as Clat and Lil will be by the seaside.  Cheers!!!! xxx