Tandridge - The Barley Mow

Tuesday 11 September - soon be Christmas

Oh Oh Oh What a Lovely View

Walkers:  2 Legs, Windy, Clat, Lil and Angelala - no longer a registrarararrararar so a name change required.  No Farty or T.B. due to a birthday luncheon with an old lady-friend of theirs.  Chris joined us for lunch.  She has been incommunicado for three weeks thanks to B.T. - oy, you out there - it's the 21st century, so get her back on.
And relax

Find of the Walk - 0
Distance 7 miles.

Prompt arrivals all round so after quickly checking with the plumber if it was o.k. to park 'here' - we set off at 1025.  The promised rain had not materialised so today was spent rambling in the sunshine, with a cool wind not wend, to keep the sweat glands in check.  We went eastwards for a bit - some of us were champing at the bit, and had to be restrained, while Clat tried to circumnavigate the world.  This duly done we headed in the right direction - west.

Back out on to the main road and a quick fork to Jackass Lane, and then a goodly footpath to the left and some lovely views, which is where Wind came in, exclaiming from time to time how lovely they were.  Cue here for Lil to un-earth her camera and get clicking - and she produced some wonderful pics.  At several points we got into a bid of a huddle and decided on which direction we would prefer, and we sort of cobbled it together and it worked - oooo er.    A large pond came into view, and we recalled our last visit when Mrs P organised a rescue mission for an injured swan.  We reached the Enterdent which we reckon is between the teeth in France and then onwards and upwards, through some leafy woods, and after a particularly gusset-ripping stile, which could easily have robbed T.B. of his crown jewels, we came upon Godstone Farm - time for some heavy petting then.........................

The penned animals - rather ripe in odour, were admired, patted, and commented on (especially the fat porkie pigs), the loos were used - sort of synchronised releasing as we filed into our respective cubicles - and then we washed our hands like good little girls.  A picnic area here was the perfect spot to refresh, and the mood soon turned to one of  mischief, as all the playground swings, rides, etc. were empty, and begging to be used - oh gawd.
Despite Clat's efforts to get going again, Lil spotted a zip-wire - there was no stopping her.  Within seconds she was zipping and yipping her away across the ground, legs out in front and in control????? Sue climbed on to the other one and a lot of to-ing and fro-ing followed before a rather un-fortunate dis-mount, but nothing damaged, and then Windy decided that this was for her too - so more of the above.  Time to go, before a warden, or someone else comes to investigate the noise and chuck us out - what hoodlums we are!  Our final 'event' was to poke our heads through some holes, and become cows, pigs and sheep respectively. However the photo leads one to believe that Clat's head is coming out of the backside of Windy who was the sheep - getting to know ewe has a whole new meaning.

Out of there, across the road, and on to Ivy Mill Lane, going further along it than before. A rather bulky cyclist appeared on the bend, and without so much as a by your leave , headed towards Windy and Angelala, nearly knocking them flying.  Did he apologise?  Did Windy's admonishment have any effect? - what do you think? - correct.

Up a bridleway, and thanks to Lil's expert observations on finding dis-used stiles, we were on course for our return journey.  Back on to the Greensand Way and more views to behold.  We trekked along to Brakey Hill and decided to take the track to the right into a field.  Very quickly we realised we were on newly-laid slurry but we continued - on our fragrant way, to eventually  arrive at the Barley Mow - a goodly walk. 
Once inside, we were met by Father Christmas - inviting us to book our table for the festive period - 'we've not had Halloween yet' muttered Sue, so perhaps our walk took longer than we thought.  The sign in the Ladies asks us if we are Surviving Domestic Violence - well I did kill a fly yesterday.
We ordered - a pleasant young lady served us, and the lite bite lunches at £5.95 are a real bargain  we all had one, except for Angelala who had a very acceptable mackerel salad.

So that was that then, and we all had places to go, people to see, and journeys to make.
Next week is Farty's birthday walk.  She has selected Reigate Hill II which involves a visit to Fanny's Farm, and her sister Viv will be coming too - the more the merrier.  See you next week.  xxx