Leigh - The Plough

Tuesday 23rd April

Gorgeous George

Walkers:  Farty, T.B., Windy, 8 Legs, Lil and Clat.

Distance 5 1/2 miles

Find of the Walk:  The sunshine !!!!
Well, the title should tell you that 23rd April is St George's Day, and it was gorgeous too.  The sun shone, from clear blue skies, the larks were out and so were we.  Spring was in evidence, albeit a little late (3 weeks according to the experts), and it was warm - a very rare event indeed.
So , full of something de vivre, we started out and northwards across a ploughed field, but the farmer had kindly left us a tractor track to walk along.  We came to our pinnacle, before turning round and south again.  The bluebell woods are coming on, and soon we hope to see an abundance of blue in the Tory woods.  We had another talking hedge moment, but this time a man's head popped up and asked us if we had found his muzzle - yes, we thought the same thing too.  We crossed the road and walked for a while along the river Mole and a new footbridge.  This area is very stile-ish, so the legs got a good workout today.

Much gentle ambling got us to the 3 Horseshoes at Irons Bottom, and we sat outside to drink our beverarges (sp intentional) - sheer bliss. 
On we went, and along some un-trodden paths, right by the side of this rather gorgeous house, and then a not very gorgeous alsation waiting to gobble us up for lunch.  He was restrained, and we had a safe passage.  We were on our way 'home' and, as usual, we seem to have got a bit misplaced.  I blame the arrows myself, or rather, the lack of them - perhaps they get eaten by the livestock, but all we had to encounter today was the mint sauce accompaniments and their little lambs - ahhh.
We sort of got there in the end, stretched our vitals, and sat in the pub garden.  Our hostelier was very helpful and attentive and we were soon having some delectable eats.  Farty's fast of last week lasted all of two days - and today the lager went down a treat.  Minnie went on the defence of her biscuits as another dog invaded her space - quite right too.  Could very nearly have been a Suarez moment!


We discussed walks as the birthday celebrant always gets to choose - Chris wants to go to the Algarve
which might take a bit of organising.  Then Sue's world crumbled, literally, as her rubber soles started to disintegrate right before her very eyes.  We watched in wonderment and alarm, as her feet got closer and closer to the tarmac - a perishing moment.  I think their next outing is to a skip - enough said.  However, prior to this she gave us a top tip for microwaving a poached egg.  Break egg into cup, cover with a saucer, and do dah for about 20 seconds, and bingo it's done.  I tried it and it works. Nigella eat your heart out.

So, next week we are meeting at The Gardeners Arms in Ardingly, to celebrate Windy's big 6 Oh !  See you there.

Godstone - The White Hart

Tuesday 16th April

T.B. Or Not T.B.?  - That Is The Question
Walkers:  Farty, T.B., 8 Legs - yes, Minnie was with us, sporting a wonderful black patterned sports bra/bandana number.  Windy, Lil and Clat.
Distance: 8 miles
Find of the Walk: a bit of knee trembling at one point
Well, we have been on the horns of a Dalai Lama with this walk, as it was touch and go whether T.B. would be able to make it, for his birthday walk, due to family matters ooop North, for his daughter's operation.  However, all was sorted out, the op has gone well, and we wish a speedy recovery, altho, post-op, we find that trapped wind has a lot to answer for - moving on then and moving off.

Our route took us northerly, through such muddy paths, that we wonder when this will ever end. However we made it, and crossed the M25 and upwards - you know the rest, cos this has been blogged before. There was a mal-odorous whiff in the air - a fine blend of sewage and fish prevailed at certain points, and once Farty and Clat got going on the garlic leaf-picking, then that really added to the blend.  Not to be put off we carried on, eastwards this time, along the North Downs Way, and Quarry Farm where we found a small assemblage of extremely clean walkers with highly-polished boots.  We assured them this wouldn't last long, and left them to be on their way, whilst we had a little refraishment.

Woldingham School was arrived at and we made our turn-round for home, noticing a rather large raptor buzzing about overhead, and to our side, 4 portaloos - how surreal is that, then? Also round here, is, allegedly,  'not now by royal appointment' Al Fayed's place, and a lot of other very imposing houses.

There were fine views to be had, and some greening of the trees is beginning.  The primroses and violets get on with it and so did we.  A slight map thing occurred and after a very steep descent, we discovered we had landed on the wrong box - bother, so we hurriedly re-routed, which meant a little more road walking than we
wanted. We found a parked R.V. with the words "just pray for downhills" written on the back - which for knee trembling, isn't our mantra.  We crossed the A25, found a field, crossed that, and then crossed the A22 - sorry, no crisses to be had.  A church was visible, with a very pretty graveyard, and we came to a pond, but we didn't cross that.

Home sweet home then, and a lot of stretching and bending to be had.  Sue and Minnie had to leave us, so , somewhat legless, we went in to dine.  The usual trio of waitresses were on hand, and we had good service, and good fare.  The bottomless chips are not good for our derrieres but what the heck.  Surprise at the table, as Farty ordered a fizzy water - Eau M. G. - she is off the booze - but not forever though.

We had cawffees afterwards, and decided we hadn't a clue where to go next week.  We shall address this matter and let you know at the weekend.  Cheers!