Reigate Hill - The Duke's Head

Reigate Hill April 2012

Tuesday  5th February

The Windyridge Wander, Wonder - Whatever

Walkers:  Farty, T.B., 4 Legs, Lil and Clat.  No Windy - think she has got mud-stroke - she's sick of it, and judging by our boots today, we don't blame her.  No Mrs P - see below.

We are  very sad to report that Polly's Mike, passed away last Friday.  We are at a loss as to what to say and our hearts and thoughts are with her, her family and loved ones.

Distance:  6 and 3/4 miles - done in less than 3hrs, cos there wasn't much stopping and messing about.

Find of the Walk:  We saw a hat, a Christmas decoration, and a huge lump of string, but T.B. was not in a David Bailey mode, and after all, we have loads of pics of this walk - sorry folks.

Reigate Hill April 2012

Well, to say it was windy, without Windy, was an under-statement - it fairly rocked on the top of the hill.  The car park was packed, and large groups of walkers were spotted, assembling as if to go on a protest march.  We marked their position and went the other way - fast.  The track was fairly o.k. being on chalk and all, and the wind whistled nicely through our bits and bobs.  We passed vast tracts of pushchairs, red-cheeked kids complete with runny noses, and various assortments of dogs - most going in the opposite direction to ours - good.
Last week's walk was cancelled due to the very convincing forecast from Carol at the Beeb.  She warned of continuous heavy rain from 10.00  onwards - completely wrong, but there you go, it happened.

Farty and Clat had decided to modify the walk a bit which meant no tricky descents or ascents, so we kept to the hill top areas.  We did our usual, through Margery Wood (of course she would), and over the raging M25 and towards Walton Heath.  The cold got into the vitals and discreet 'stops' were performed.  We arrived at the Sportsman to find it closed, and veered off over the Walton Heath golf course - no balls today.  Then into a thicket of woods and turning again towards the motorway once more.  Up and over we went, and then came out on the ridge further along.

The wind was behind us (oh no it wasn't), which made travelling a lot easier on the lug holes, and we eventually reached base to find it still crowded but no sign of the protest march sort of lot.  We decided to head for our fave pub The Dukes Head and were soon welcomed and seated and eated - lovely food.  Bad grammar I know, but I am trying to flow here.  Our landlady Wendy, was up to her ears  in bookwork but still found time to say hello.  Some re-furb work has been done - new seats and carpets and a new little snug complete with fireplace where some good stoking activity can take place - matron, where are you?

We actually had some sensible conversation today covering topics such as Chris Huhne, that Mitchell man, government , politics, 'don't get me started'  etc etc  No Wind, meant no Daily Mail for TB  so he joined in as well, happily replete after his meat pie and veg - a real man's meal.  We then went on to discuss vacuum cleaners - an exhilarating exchange and comparison took place, and 3 of us discovered we had the same brand - riveting!!!!  Time for the bill.  Time to go home, and time to get this posted off to our Ed.  ta ta