Tandridge - Barley Mow

Tues 24 April.

Whoops,there go my trousers!

 Walkers: Eight legs,Farty,TB,Wind.

 Trish in South Africa,and Lil and Clat sorting out their Dad's eye problem.  Hope all went well.

 Distance: Nearly six miles.

 Find of the week: Huge snail.

 

We gathered in the Barley Mow car park with drizzle descending,making us reluctant to leave our cars,and leading to loud conversations through open car windows.  We finally got going,turning left out of the pub,along the road a bit,then turning right onto fields.  I hope I'm right in saying that this was one of our regular walks in reverse.

Due to the weather,Sue was wearing posh wellies,which were very natty in a nazi stormtrooper sort of way (sorry Sue,it was all the goosestepping!),and TB was sporting waterproof trousers which sounded like bags of boiled sweets as he walked.  They had a tendency to fall down as they were a bit too long from waist to gusset,and required quite a bit of adjustment in the crutch area.  The same area was getting hot due to the sauna effect of the trousers.  Our offer to punch in a few air holes was declined.

It was quite muddy after all the rain we've had since the hosepipe ban was introduced,but the countryside looked lovely,and there were plenty of bluebells,which pleased TB(!) and Wind.  We saw a horse who looked like he'd had a perm,and a pig at Godstone Farm with bouffant ears.  They must use the same salon.  There were lots of signs at Godstone Farm along the lines of "now wash your hands please",which reminded us of Bronco and Izal loo paper.  We wondered how we managed using what really was greaseproof paper!

We came across a huge white snail which Mon put on a rock for a photo.  He was a bit shy at first,but eventually his antennae emerged and he gave us a wave.  Mon had picked some wild garlic,and TB said if only we had some butter and a frying pan.....There's always one! He was beginning to think about lunch.  We posed for a group photo at Garston Park, which was the venue for our original blog photo a few years ago,and marvelled at how little we'd changed.  Should have gone to specsavers? We were on the final leg of the walk and got back to the pub where the food and service was good.  Over coffee,talk turned to hysterectomies,(Iforget why),and Mon told us her fibroid was the size of,not a grapefruit,but a cauliflower!  The conversation went downhill after that with talk of giving birth to it,cheese sauce etc.  This was all too much for TB who suggested we get the bill,and after a flash of Mon's new mauve bra,we were off.  You couldn't take us anywhere.

What is this? Answers on a postcard, please!

Next week is Sandra's "significant" birthday!  Details TBA.

Capel - The Crown Inn

A Lovely Day for a Hoar

Tuesday 17th January, 2012

Walkers: Farty, T.B., Windy, 6 of the Legs, Lil and Clat. Sally came for lunch.

Distance: 7 miles - just under

Finds of the Walk: a spectacle case, and a scarf- all within the confines of the church - a lot of losing goes on here, then.

What a crispy day. Heavy frost, but with clear blue skies and sunshine - perfect for a wintry effort in the countryside. A new walk, kindly plotted by Farty, and we set off through the churchyard, dotted with some real Edwin Drood-like graves, (plus a small brickhouse which we think is where the dead were stored), and out the back into the plentiful countryside of these parts.

Very slippy underfoot, as the ground was rock-solid, and the stiles were a bit hoary as well - we manage. Through Bennett's Wood , after which we got a bit mislaid in our routing to cross the A24. However eventually we found the track in the middle of all the over-grownness and safely over this busy road. Onwards to Weaver's Wood, Church Copse, and a footbridge, and we were then on the A29 or rather the famous Stane Street (Roman Road). Time for refreshments, and we called in at the Inn on the Green, Ockley. A lovely welcome to be had from the barmaid and the big Boxer dog - Minnie needed some encouragement here. The coffees were very tasty, and, in the absence of Chris, it seems it was Sue's job to talk to a visiting male . She learned a lot from him - does anyone else remember the days of Fine Fare?

Trouble is, we all got warm and cosy, but we had to proceed, and Farty let out a weird squeaky sound - tracked to a miniature Hoppa she had found lurking in the pub - time to go. More lovely countryside and woodland to follow. Minnie and Sue were playing cats cradle at most of the stiles, and had to be dis-entangled from their craft. We came to Vann House, which is in the Open Gardens scheme - gorgeous, and then to a converted windmill set in the middle of open fields - wonderful views to be had 360 degrees, and think of all those stairs!

The homeward stretch was upon us, and we didn't waste time in the car park changing out of our boots. Inside the pub we found Sally, and the new staff as the pub has changed hands. We admired the blackboard menu only to be told that it was the 'evening' one. The daytime one was very reduced, and very chippy. In fact, the smell of frying chips lingered - but we ordered our fare. It arrived - 'very chippy', and very dry in many cases. We were not overly-impressed - sorry to say, and whoever is running this pub is missing a real trick. It's the only pub in the village, and is just begging to have a better menu. This place is a goldmine waiting to happen..............................

Right, that's the meal over with. Next week we MIGHT be going to the Dolphin at Betchworth, but please wait for the usual text.

Bad news: Farty has mislaid her map-holder, complete with maps and a compass. The pub has been phoned, Clat has been back for a look-round, but to no avail. What a shame - the complete walking history has gone - so we shall have to start another one!

See you next week. xxxxxx

Ardingly2, The Oak

The Nobodies go for a walk
Venue: The Oak at Ardingly

Walkers: Farty, TB, 10 legs minus 8, Windy Nohills and Mrs Provincial. Chris on hospital appointments, Clatters and Lil still laid low by bad bursas, Hoots on flying duties we presume, Polly being definitely Possibly not. Sally joined us for lunch - good to see you!

Weather: Beautiful: warm, sunny, a few puffy clouds and a nice breeze to cool us down.

Distance/time taken: 7 1/2 miles, 3 hours 20 including 1 stop, 1 water break and a few views to ooh and aahh over (and a duck feeding!)

Find of the walk: A solitary glove

We set off just about on time and headed out from the pub and through the village via the recreation ground - and very smart it was too, with pristine play equipment with the required safety surface underneath so the little darlings don't hurt themselves when they inevitably fall - much muttering about 'elf and safety' and 'it didn't do us any harm when we fell off onto a concrete surface and knocked outselves out'. We are obviously getting old! We passed a development called Hett Close and Hapstead House which looked as if the main house might once have been of interest - all I can find out is that it was a privately owned Victorian house before being converted into apartments (flats to you and me!) in 2000.

It was just a short time afterwards that we realised that we had missed our turning so we decided to carry on down towards Ardingly reservoir. TB spotted a field full of all sorts of equipment - not too sure if it was a horse jumping course? So, down to the reservoir, over a causeway and soon we arrived at one of the bird hides - this one called Kingfisher. Farty investigated but sadly it was locked - we disturbed some nesting swallows so spent some time watching them swoop and dive overhead - beautiful. We decided to take an early break and try as we might we couldn't see any of the elusive kingfishers.

Off we set and were soon climbing up West Hill and away from the reservoir - and quite a long hill it was too! The warm day probably slowed us down a bit but we soon reached the top and the views were beautiful.

Whilst heading downhill again through a pretty wood we then met the dreaded walking group approaching us up the hill. The tour leader, or should I say fearsome sergeant major barked at Mon (who was leading at this point) - 'and who are you?' To which Mon memorably replied 'Oh, we're nobody'! It turned out that they were a walking group from U3A, Haywards Heath branch - clearly, you have to be somebody to walk!! Well, we know exactly who we are, but think that for evermore we'll be known as the Nobodies - Banstead sub district, Provincial members etc etc!

We crossed the reservoir once again on a long bridge from where the reservoir appeared more like a fast flowing river. Uphill again, and more lovely views - this one was from a gorgeous spot where we found a stone bench dedicated to a lady who must have been a keen walker - we decided to take in the view from her bench but were sooned joined by a pair of his and her ducks who waddled down the hill towards us. They weren't daft - obviously used to walkers feeding them so they ended up with the last of the flapjacks!

The walk kept skirting Wakehurst Place and on one track we found some interesting purply plants - almost sedum like - which we reckon must have come from the gardens. Soon after we came across what we for one moment thought was another wildlife casualty (oh no!) - a young female pheasant just sitting in the middle of the road. She didn't move as we approached so I went to pick her up - at which point she very indignantly squawked and flew off into the undergrowth! There's thanks for you.

As the day was quite hot we decided to take another quick water break, this time just after passing through Tillinghurst Farm. We were skirting round a field of cows and their calves, and after setting off again rounded the corner of the field and decided to stop to look at them. We suddenly realised that one of the cows had - how shall I put it - rather a red looking posterior - so out came the binoculars and we then realised that much to our amazement it had just given birth! I don't wish to put you all off your breakfast/lunch/dinner - but I may just might! - as before our horrified eyes she proceeded to give birth to the afterbirth and then set about consuming it! Lovely. Just enough to put us in the mood for a pub lunch. And we thought cows were vegetarian!

Hysteria was obviously setting in at this point: Sue has been walking with a stick which Miss Nohills was asking about. Sue replied that it wasn't a walking stick but a ski pole - our Wend then asked what on earth Amsterdam airport had to do with it (Schipol and all that -memories of short haul days!). Oh dear. The warm weather was getting to us!

In the bin?

We carried on towards the showground, passing through the village to do an 'add on' - down Church Lane with its lovely houses, down again towards the reservoir and along towards Ardingly College and its manicured lawns and posh pupils. Lots of dosh around here! The college is very beautiful - we wondered if the pupils actually appreciate their surroundings - and were much amused by a sign by at the front entrance called 'kiss and drop'. Once again, no such namby pamby nonsense in our day!

We were all feeling the heat and long last hill so were really glad to arrive back at the pub. Sally had beaten us to it and it was good to see her again. We do wonder how she copes with us oldies - she very kindly enquired what was new in our lives to which all we could muster up was 'nothing much really, nothing new or exciting has happened, just the same old. . 'The joys of retirement! Thanks Sal for putting up with us!

We sat outside - we didn't score the pub this time, but I think the general feeling was that although the food was good, the portion sizes could have been more generous.

Next week TBC - possibly Reigate Hill? Watch this space!

Bletchingly The Red Lion

Frolicking in the Bluebells

Venue: The Red Lion Bletchingly http://www.redlionbletchingley.co.uk/

Distance: 8 miles

Time Taken: 3 1/2 hours

Walkers: Farty, TB, Wendy Nohills, Polly Possibly and Mrs Provincial. Apologies for absence from Clat and Lil - Clat having major problems with her bursae - and 2 legs who had a touch of tummy problems. We wish them a speedy recovery!

Weather: Hot! Clear blue skies and temperatures that felt more like high summer
Find of the walk: Not much to report, just a rather grotty lacey headband lying in the path

We started just a little later than planned as poor Farty and TB had hit bad traffic on the way down but we soon set off from the pub, headed down the lane and turned off onto the footpath. We found some pretty Vinca plants growing by the

wall bordering the path - Mon soon acquired a few stems for Wend to plant in her garden!

We headed out of the village and onto the golf course which was looking suitably stunning in the spring sunshine - and full of golfers some of whom actually spoke to us - so not as snooty a course as you might expect in this pretty part of Surrey! The only thing to spoil the glorious day was a very overpowering smell of . . . . muck spreading - lovely! Ah well, I suppose one of the hazards

of walking in the countryside! We caught a glimpse of a beautiful fox who chose to watch us from a distance - TB felt it might have been threatened by his raging testosterone!

The path became quite sandy as we walked close to the quarry/sand pit and we soon arrived at Godstone. Across the green and out onto the path that leads to Bay Pond. We took our break here (very welcome as we were already somewhat hot and sweaty!) and divvied round the last of the gingerbreads from last week. We were very soon joined by some ducks who can obviously spot a mug from a distance

and yours truly gave them the last of my food!

Soon back on the road and almost
immediately came to Church Town and St Nicholas Church. We've been here many times before but this time decided to have a little look around. The church itself was locked, but a notice pointed us in the direction of the chapel which is attached to the beautiful almshouses, so in we went for a gander. It was really lovely, small with a wonderful mosiac floor and lovely windows and woodwork. There were a number of leaflets giving information about the church and houses and also local famous people, one of whom was a gentleman by the very grand sounding name of Edmund Seyfang Taylor (1853-1908) - aka "Walker Miles". Now, if I was really clever I could scan the information about him onto the blog, but only being a girl of limited technical ability I'm afraid you'll have suffice with me telling you that: he is buried in the churchyard, was known as Chief/Great Pathfinder, his "Fieldpath Rambles" book is well known and he is revered in the world of rambling! How appropriate for us Raras. We all thought the almshouses were just divine and as there are 8 of them reckon we could all retire to them and ramble away to our heart's content!


So we left Church Town and zig zagged out way towards Leigh Place and its Ponds. Polly Possibly had by this time spied a number of beautiful houses which she fancied

moving to, but we then found THE house of her dreams - a beautiful pink house complete with views, lovely garden with a summer house, balcony overlooking what we presume was a walled garden and the swimming pool - perfect! She was just about to dial the number of Pickfords when we dragged her away and back to reality . . .

It had also become apparent for a while that there had at various times been a strange whirring sound followed by even more strange clicks - lurking at the back of us we noticed a rather secretive Miss Nohills taking photos with a disposable camera, dateline probably circa 1985 . . it should have been on the antiques roadshow!! She's been dropping hints for ages about needing a new camera (well, that much is obvious!) so perhaps she thought if we felt sorry for her we might cough up for a birthday pressi . . no chance now, it gave us all such a laugh, can't wait to see how the photos turn out . . . if at all .. ..

We carried on passed Leigh Place Ponds, close to the site of our swan rescue, over the road just south of The Enterdent and along and into a lovely woodland. Still looking for the elusive bluebells, we began to slow down as the path climbed slowly uphill - the heat was definitely getting to

us! So we had another quick pit stop and once again set off - Farty leading the way, the rest of us muttering about how far it was to the pub! However, as we turned onto Tilburstow Hill our patience was rewarded and there in all their glory were swathes of magnificent bluebells. We kept stopping to ooo and aaahh - at this point TB felt that one glimpse of bluebells was quite enough for anyone - but did also mention that it did rather make you want to frolick in them . . well, Farty was having none of that and set off at a brisk pace to continue the walk!

So finally back into Bletchingly and the very welcome sight of the pub. It was looking exceptionally patriotic, decked out in a sea of St George's flags. We sat outside, the food arrived quickly and the conversation turned very quickly to the favourite breakfast time subject of all self respecting cabin crew - poo! We were obviously missing Clat and her quizz - so please get better soon!
We forgot to mark the pub, but I would think it rated fairly highly - plenty of space to park, (very happy for us to do so), welcoming, good menu, good food, good service and average prices. Ambulance was good - we liked the patriotic feel - but of course the sunshine did help.
Unfortunately I can't make next week (rellies staying) but think the plan is for a Bluebell Railway day - so await joining instructions!
Have a lovely Easter weekend - may it be filled with lots of lovely chocolate!