2013


27th December - Ralph's Winter Windsor Wander - Tony

15 Walkers

14th December - Xmas Walk & Dinner - Tony, Mary & Janet

43 Walkers and 35 Diners

20th November - Ranmore Memories - Tony & Mary

14 Walkers - a gentle 6Km 'stroll' around Ranmore Common finishing at the old bus shelter to unveil the new commemorative plaque.

9th November - the Long and the the Short of it - Tony & Mary

up to about 20 - depending on where the count was taken!

11th-14th October - Dovedale Weekend - Richard Ireson

7th October - Surrey's North West Face - Jerome Ripp

7 Walkers

15th September - A Walk from Liphook with Glenys - Glenys Kirkpatrick

5/6 Walkers

22nd August - Another Four Commons Walk - John Stovell

11/12 Walkers

10th August - In the Steps of the Wessex 100, Part 4 - Janet Chapman

16 Walkers

A circular walk from Bignor Hill via East Dean - 16 walkers joined the walk at the top of Bignor Hill, which included friends from neighbouring groups, Sussex and Wessex.It was a perfect morning with views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight, which delighted Janet and John from the Island. Les Hewett was sure he could see Hayling Island (this was in some dispute) however it was unanimously agreed that Butlins at Bognor Regis could be seen. The walk was led at a pace to accommodate all speeds of walking. A morning stop was appreciated at Eartham Woods car park that boasted picnic tables. However as commented on, the car park and woods had a feel of ‘dubious reputation’.At The Star and Garter at East Dean hospitality was ‘top of the range’. Suitably refreshed, the return loop had to be tackled which as the walk had started at the top and the pub was down, meant up was the order of the afternoon. The first part was on forest tracks, taking in a section of Stane Street Roman Road and the Monarch Way.Back on Bignor Hill with the sun still smiling down the 19 mile walk was complemented with tea and homemade cakes. Diary Date:  9th August 2014 Part 5 - the walk will start from East Dean to go via Goodwood the furthest point of the 2009 100.

4th August - Godalming Circular - Jennifer Caddy

6/5 Walkers

20th July - An iPad 'in flagrante delicto' - Tony Wigmore

4 Walkers

Tony, with his eponymous navigational device firmly in hand, met us as we landed in the foreign lands of Buckinghamshire.  With a slightly chilly start we skirted the town and were soon off road.  We followed part of the Chiltern Way through Amersham, successfully avoiding the local cricket missiles being hurled in our direction.  The walk passed Shardeloes park and lake on either side as well as passing ripening barley and wheat fields under the warm but cloudy skies.  Having passed several hostelries we were eventually allowed to stop at Little Missenden.  We ran the gauntlet of a couple of armed rabbits and ordered lunch, which was consumed in the garden under the watchful eye of the local chickens.  Suitably refreshed, but chilled, we warmed up exploring more of the local beech woods and battled our way through head high Bucks jungle.  We emerged briefly into Penn Street to the strains of the local music festival, the notes of which followed us for quite some miles.  We traversed the nearby Penn Wood - an enchanting place of dappled light and wide paths.  The Chiltern Way signs were seen again during the afternoon and the main cardiovascular testing was also met in the latter stages.  We finally emerged into Holtspur and followed ascending house prices back into the heart of Beaconsfield, with its Old Tea Shop.  A splendid walk at a brisk pace!

13th July - Shere magic - Juliet Eberle (a Guildfest Walk)

17 Walkers

11th July - East & South - Shamley Green - Elizabeth Bryan

12/13 Walkers

Elizabeth rounded us up in the morning from all parts of the green and we set off into Surrey's deep jungle.  This was to be the theme of the day as we strode through high grass, parted wide bracken fronds, negotiated rampant brambles, ducked under low trees and climbed an 'interesting' variety of stiles.  We were fortunate that our leader wielded her secateurs with aplomb on many occasions enabling our party to reach the Bricklayers' Arms for a welcome break.  Here we sadly said farewell to Dave who needed two men to replace him - John and Richard.  By dint of expert planning our leader led us all day through alternating sunshine and shade so that, in spite of the heat, the walk was very pleasant.  In the afternoon we met a French rambler who was geographically challenged on his way to Farley Green - again our talented leader was able to point out his current location and provide apposite directions.  Janet was concerned that all the walkers had sufficient exercise and so kindly provided a series of diversions to increase the mileage to almost twenty, which made up for the lack of promised mud.  It should also be noted that the route did include some beautiful rural views, a great panorama of St Martha's, a vineyard, several ripening arable fields, dappled woodland and quiet country lanes.  And so we arrived at the finish refreshed by the splendid walk and company.  And our leader returned home to walk her dog!

29th June - Primrose Hill Perambulation - John Lay

10 walkers

23rd June - Juliet & Harry's Summer Saunter - Juliet Eberle

9 walkers

Having passed the first hurdle and found the car park the walkers set off up hill, but avoiding the summit of Leith Hill, and down dale over many well-loved paths towards Abinger Hatch, where we paused for morning tea - the highlight of which was Juliet's home baked oat crunch biscuits.  Suitably fortified, the humans by food, the canine by almost total immersion in a puddle, we strode on towards Westcott.  Here Francis was waiting to join us for lunch and provide a taxi service for Harry and friends.  In the afternoon we enjoyed great views over Dorking and returned home by Leith Hill Place.  Francis now displayed another of his hidden talents and provided an excellent mobile catering service from his car - having undertaken onerous cake testing duties a few days previously.  Some of us wandered a further mile to admire the display of rhododendrons nearby and to learn of the local historical connections to Vaughan Williams and Darwin.  This walk provided food for the body, soul and mind - a good walk. 

 

15th June - JR's Summer Special - Jerome Ripp

19 then 20 walkers

Jerome's 98th LDWA walk as leader and 24th for Surrey!

Having filled the small car park by the church we gathered around Jerome and, encouraged by the promise of home baking upon completion, we set off for the summit of Leith Hill, the highest point in Surrey.  We were pleased to welcome three visitors today who were in training for tackling three other minor summits - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon - surely a doddle after today!  After a pleasant and gentle ascent we admired the view and sampled the delights of the kiosk before setting off towards Holmbury Hill.  Going around this we made our way up hill and down dale finally arriving at Evelyn Hall.  However this time, in the absence of the customary checkpoint those of us without sandwiches were obliged to sample the victuals at the adjacent hostelry - good but no rice pudding or jelly babies on offer!  Suitably fortified John decided to honour us with his presence for the afternoon as we crossed the railway and tackled the steep ascent of the North Downs, rewarded by excellent views.  We passed Blatchford Down and Steers Field to pause at Ranmore church to admire the gravestones and enjoy the sunshine.  From here we continued downwards and circumnavigated Westcott to arrive back at the start where Jan and Avril had hot drinks and home made cakes to honour Jerome.  He was presented with a card from the group and our congratulations on this auspicious occasion and for his ongoing regular contributions to our social walks calendar - another excellent walk as always with more being planned.  We enjoyed the good weather and plenty of hills to offset the cake!

 

3rd June - Midsummer Walk & Supper - Tony & Mary

17 Walkers, 18 Diners

1st June - Home from Haslemere - Mary

14 Walkers

Alighting from various trains we gathered at Haslemere station and briskly set off uphill, soon leaving the tarmac and walking through verdant heathland in the early morning sunshine.  Our route circumnavigated part of the Devil's Punchbowl, leaving it at Highcombe Edge to descend into the valley.  We skirted Kettlebury Hill, strode around the borders of Hankley Common and over to Frensham Common for a brief pause to catch our breath by the Devil's Jumps.  Onwards we walked around the perimeter of Frensham Little Pond and then alongside the Wey into Tilford Village, admiring the ancient oak.  From here we advanced to summit Crooksbury Hill and thence via the common, and a boot-cleaning damp meadow to our lunch stop at Elstead.  The pub had kindly put out their red carpet for us!  The fact that they had a cyclists' wedding reception afterwards was merely a coincidence.  Suitably refreshed we followed the Wey once more and meandered up to across Puttenham Common.  From here we followed the North Downs Way and the Wey Navigation back to the station.  With superb weather, scenery and company a good time was had by all (even if it was 27 rather than 25 miles long!)

 

26th May - Walking part of Camel-Teign 100 - Avril

I saw this whilst passing through the village of Hexworthy near the Camel-Teign 100 route walking from Princetown to Huccaby Farm. Just had to share it with you!

25th/26th May - Camel-Teign 100 - Surrey/London manning CP2

18th May - Not the Ridgeway from Nettlebed - Richard Ireson & Avril Stapleton

6 Walkers

We met by the Old Kiln, Nettlebed with the weather far from the warmth one would expect in the middle of May. Thus we set off at a good pace rather to warm ourselves up. The route out of Nettlebed took us across farmland into the Mongewell Woods where the display of bluebells were superb although later towards the end of the walk the display of these flowers were just magnificent. This part of the Thames Valley area has always been renowned for the bluebell display although most years they would have been over their best by now. The late arrival of spring gave us the opportunity to enjoy them on this walk. All the walkers intended to partake of lunch at the pub in Ewelme, The Shepherd's Hut. They did us proud. having phoned our order in to them in advance. everything was up and ready for us on our arrival. They are used to walkers and made us very welcome. On leaving the pub the temperature had improved and we were to enjoy a warm pleasant afternoon across rolling hills back to the start point. Copse Wood, near the end of the walk, gave us the final fantastic bluebell display. However the delights of this walk were not yet ended as at the finish we enjoyed tea and pieces of Janet's 70th birthday cake sitting on the Green. A perfect end to a perfect day with perfect company. Thanks to all who supported the walk.

4th May - Richmond Roundabout - John Lay

10 Walkers

25th April - Spring in the Park with Gillian - Gillian Bull

15 Walkers (but varied depending upon the time of day!)

20th April - Bluebell Walk - Chris Hayward

14 Walkers

We gathered from far and wide at Fernhurst - from West,South and North Surrey, Stevenage and the Isle of Wight, to meet up with our leader who arrived hotfoot that morning straight from the South of France - such was his dedication!  After little ado we set off in the sunshine with some bare knees and sunglasses in evidence.  Chris started us off with a series of hills to warm us up, which were tackled with alacrity. Bertie, our canine member, enjoyed his encounters with the local bird life and the damper areas of the paths. We walked through dappled beech woods, skirting Black Down, below the Temple of the Four Winds, and enjoying extensive views of the Weald including the tower on Butser Hill and Titty Hill.  Some of us had been rather sceptical about seeing bluebells due to this year's late spring - but true to his word whilst Chris walked us past extensive drifts of leafy bluebell plants we did at last espy some eponymous blooms.  Shortly afterwards we also passed a heartwarming bank of primroses.  Our merry band continued on along leaf-covered hollow ways and fields eventually arriving at Northchapel for lunch.  The hostelry was decorated inside with a tightly packed eclectic range of ephemera covering the walls and ceilings provoking a wide range of conversations.  True to form in the afternoon the group gathered for the traditional bridge photograph only to turn the corner to find another bridge, on which we also gathered - though fortunately not for long - if you look closely the handrail is showing some signs of strain!  Our photographer lined himself up for the perfect shot - leaning backwards - which then resulted in a close encounter with the holly bush!  Onwards, over many a stile. we arrived in Lurgashall by way of the churchyard, and paused to admire the interior of the church with its surviving wall paintings and Saxon architecture, before walking past the well-supported village cricket match.  And so we continued on to the finish where another cricket match was also in full swing.  This was a superb walk with a great pub, good company and excellent weather - what more could anyone want?

13th April - The Real Guildford Boundary Walk - Stage 3 - Keith Chesterton

6 Walkers

This was the 3rd stage of a walk round the current Guildford Borough boundary, or as close to it as using footpaths would allow. This stage went from Broadwater Lake at Farncombe to Abinger Hammer.

6 of us met at the meeting spot on a chilly but dry morning. Others were absent, preparing for a big birthday bash later in the day. Keith explained that, due to leg problems, he couldn’t walk the full route, but would be joining us at Blackheath. He had sent details of  the route to Blackheath to Tony (Wigmore) who then led the other 4 off. We went via the Wey & Bramley Golf Club to Bramley, over Chinthurst Hill, where Guildford & Waverley met, & via the Downs Link to Blackheath.

Keith had been waiting there in his car & moaned, unreasonably, at the time we had taken. He then took up leading across Blackheath & on muddy paths through  Mustard Copse to Farley Heath, by the Roman temple. Then by paths used in the Olympic Hundred (in the reverse direction) to Winterfold cottage & along the switchback – the boundary for much of its length. This time it was Janet doing the complaining about all the ups & downs & the gloom of the forest. It was drizzling by now. We took pity on her, missed out 1 hill & down to the Hurtwood Inn, so liked by the Group. 

Our lunch order had been phoned ahead & we enjoyed excellent beer & sandwiches. The weather was now definitely wet. We donned waterproofs & two used umbrellas until the wind took a dislike to them. Then by Coverwood up to Holmbury Hill, where we imagined what the view would have been, on to Holmbury St Mary, round the back – mud again – to Abinger Common & so to Abinger Hatch. There we had refreshing pots of tea in the Post Office cafe, and 2 caught the bus back with the others being picked up by cars.

The route was 18 miles (12 for Keith) & voted a good interesting route, though it would have been better in the dry!

3rd April - Three Feathers to Wellington Boot - Olive Barnsley

15 walkers

We assembled in the pothole-strewn Silent Pool car park whilst Olive outlined the task ahead and then immediately led us up a climb of 367 feet past the vineyard to the North Downs Way.  After this warming start we braved the biting easterly wind along to West Hanger and thence to Sheepleas.  Up and down more gentle wooded slopes, and past some very vocal young lambs, we paused briefly at the recently renovated Stoney Dene bridge, built to facilitate timber extraction, for the customary photograph.  Then we wended our way to briefly rejoin the North Downs Way before a steep, and mercifully dry, descent and along to Land Barn Farm and thence to the Royal pub alluded to in the title.  Suitably fortified, and slightly diminished in numbers, we emerged into a slightly warmer world to climb gently out of Westcott along lanes and footpaths for a brief stop just outside Holmbury.  During the afternoon various miscreants went astray but were brought back into line by Olive's expert use of the whistle!  Now the wind picked up, but the views were excellent as were the state of the paths underfoot.  We skirted Peaslake and Shere by Smoky Hole and Dark Lane and were soon back to the edge of Albury and the start, to finish an excellent day with a few flakes of snow.  We left for home with clean boots, cold hands and memories of an excellent walk, well led and in good company - John was not there but his detailed statistics provided evidence of his usual high standard of planning.

23rd March - Far Flung from Firle - Tony Cartwright

4 walkers 

The leader and his accomplice set off in the early hours of the morning in driving sleet with heavy hearts.  Having driven through large quantities of standing water he arrived in good time to a merciful absence of snow but plenty of cold drizzle.  In view of this, and the large numbers present, the route was rapidly replotted and then the party doubled in size with a couple of late additions.  We set off down dale and up hill, past bare ploughed fields, plenty of well fed sheep and low cloud obscuring the magnificent views that we knew to be there.  The views may have been lacking but the quality of the mud was superb - so much so that we all decided to take home copious amounts to remind ourselves of this trip.  Over Frog Firle we descended, by various means, to the Cuckmere Valley to sample the tidal mud, here in abundant amounts.  Then we wound our way around to lunch at a pleasant, and mercifully hard-floored, tea shop.  Thus fortified we ascended, in the wake of hundreds of runners, with a good view of the meandering river bends and flooded fields, through more of our favoured substance, over to West Dean.  We then picked up the South Downs Way through LIttlington and joining the Cuckmere once more along to Alfriston.  We firmly strode past these fleshpots and continued upwards and onwards over Firle Beacon.  We passed several female D of E silver parties who looked in remarkably good spirits despite their previous wet night under canvas.  From here we swiftly returned to the start along an unusually level path.  A good walk in spite of the weather!

14th March - Capel Caper - Dave Challenger

9 walkers

2nd March - Hampshire Hangers - Bill Grace

9 walkers

23rd February - Ranmore Romp - Martin Mathews

15th February - Dorking to Guildford - Ruth Coleman

2nd February - Farnham Ringway - Jerome Ripp

Eleven of us gathered in the green heights above Farnham Castle on a cold but sunny morning to be guided on this westerly wander by Jerome.  We started off circumnavigating a large area of parkland and then hit the first of large quantities of a dark sticky substance that apparently was not mud but "porridge".  This is recorded as a warning should any reader find themselves invited to Jerome's for breakfast in future!  We found our way eventually onto firmer footings and briefly joined St Swithun's Way on our way west.  Then crossing southwards we ventured into Alice Holt Forest and found our way to the Squirrel's Pantry - no nuts but plenty of soup and sandwiches.  In the afternoon there was more mud - apparently, this being Surrey, it was organic - but the views were good and we came home on the North Downs Way, with a final push uphill from the town to return to the start.  A great walk, Jerome, and we look forward to your centenary!

10th February - Punchbowl Marathon

27th January - Punchbowl Marshals Walk - Jackie Barker & Ted Swift