Tuesday 10th July
Show Me The Monet
Walkers: Farty, T.B., 4 legs - Minnie not quite up for it, yet., Clat and Lil. Windy c/o nhs
Distance: well, a bit debatable as the two pedos came up with different numbers, so we split the difference and are calling it 7 1/2 miles - ok?
Find of the Walk: rain
On arrival at rendezvous, Clat and Lil noticed Chris talking to a man in a van. Turns out it's the Beeb, filming a series to be called Mayday, and try as she might, we just couldn't get any work as extras. Apparently it will star Peter Firth - or fourth or fifth, as far as I'm concerned, as I haven't a clue who he is. Anyway, much activity, and, they were shooting in a field we intended to traverse - eyes and teeth, eyes and teeth - you might get noticed.
The skies did not bode well, but our walk was designed with that in mind, so byways, and highways had been mapped in, on sandy soil and under pine woods, but we still encountered many a big puddle which 4 legs delighted in treading in , ever hopeful for that specific Dawn French moment. After about an hour we found our coffee stop - the Plough at Coldharbour. Quite an odd reception we got - the staff from up North, and although open for coffee we were told we had to wait for the machine to heat up. Then a few locals entered, and we thought we were in a scene from League of Gentlemen - 'you're not from round here are you', came to mind, and where was Tubbs we wondered? As Chris pointed out - a local pub for local people. Have to say, we weren't made terrifically welcome. The coffee was cold , the alleged ' no mint tea' miraculously turned into 'yes mint tea', no hot milk was proffered? And more locals arrived and surrounded us, complete with enooooooooooooormous dobermann in tow. Time to leave.
The rain showers had started in Earnest (poor man), and we travelled through woods, having to get round quite a few fallen trees. We found a man with a pair of borders, who said we were travelling in the right direction - good. Then the Monet moment - some well-lilied ponds covered in reds and yellows and the odd swan or too - quite unexpected and quite formidable, as they say in Monet land. Then we came to a waterfall - not quite Niagara so shall we call it Viagara? - quite lovely to see, and T.B. has made a recording of its noises. You may need to spend a penny after viewing. 
A left turn, and over the Tilling Bourne and an incredibly steep climb followed next - phew. Our path then became rather blocked by a fat tractor and trailer. The occupants were soon spotted, banging posts into the ground as they re-laid a fence which had been there 20 years - we were on the Wotton Estate and, passing Wotton House, we made another turn for home, and the heavens opened. The Beeb were in the hall having lunch, and had obviously packed up - no more Mayday today then. We scurried into the pub, and were given a very good welcome and feed - prices not too bad, either, so all in all a pretty good day.
Next week though, Farty will be director of ops as hospital appts -see what I did there?- beckon. Sue thinks she might get trapped by an Olympic torch and will be unable to get anywhere - who knows what will happen. You can find out next week - time for my bath - night night. xx
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