Walkers: Farty, TB and Mrs P
Distance: 7 1/2 miles
Time taken: 3 hours, plus a bit for stopping and chatting
Weather: Slightly foggy to start, lovely sunshine later
Find of the walk: Lots and lots of lovely doggies!
Despite
worrying forecasts of fog fog and more fog, the Fearless 3 arrived on
time at the Joshua Tree to find plenty of other people had the same idea
so no parking spaces to be had. We swiftly drove over to park at The
Plough and after exchanging the usual pleasantries - and after TB had
taken a Very Important Phone Call from his local councillor! (more
later!)- off we went.
We headed east in the hope that
some road walking would minimise the amount of mud to plough through.
As it turned out, we needn't have worried as it was surprisingly OK
underfoot, we returned later with boots that were almost clean!
First stop was at our friend the garage man. He seemed pleased to see us
(I'm sure he could well do without being interrupted in his work but is
far too polite to say!). Much admiring of his machinery and dare I say
it - tools! He's currently restoring a farm machine from 1930's
America and also a hedge trimmer that Mrs P felt would be just the job
for sawing up the enormous oak that crashed down on her garden and road
just before Christmas! He told us that he volunteers at a couple of
museums, both of which he reckoned are well worth a visit - Tilford
Rural Life Centre just south of Farnham, and Amberley Museum and
Heritage Centre in West Sussex. If you like that sort of thing ....So, leaving him in peace (at last) we headed off towards Reigate Park.
This time we walked into the park itself and stopped at Priory Pond for
elevensies - or twelvsies actually! The park is really lovely, full of
dogs walking their owners and the pond was a vision of ducks, geese and
swans. How lucky to have such a gorgeous place bang in the middle of
town.We dragged ourselves away and followed the Greensand Way. We carried on past the turning to
Skimmington Castle and towards the lovely hamlet
of Trumpets Hill and Little Stanton Farm. We then noticed the ominous
notices! tied to a tree, rather soggy and misty so difficult to read but
it appeared as if the 2 footpaths we needed to take were closed.
Bother! It meant turning round and quite a bit of road walking.
However, we decided that rules were made to be broken so carried on
regardless, and just as well as there was no sign of any work or damage.
Jobsworths just like to make life difficult!It seemed almost spring-like today, some early blossom on a tree, birds singing (some beautiful robins) and the sun came out too! A number of sad looking horses in fields and loads and loads of friendly dogs. Mostly friendly owners but the odd one choosing to ignore us - well, their loss as they say!
Talk turned, as ever, to a number of subjects, particularly today the threatened arrival of 'speed tables' and a 20 mph speed limit in Mon & Martin's road. They're now on first name terms with their local councillor and were heading off to a local ward/parish meeting after the walk - Mon with her banner! - to do battle. The other subject being TB's little op which is looming - but I promised to resist the temptation to make any jokes! Good luck on all fronts as they say!
Back to the cars
and as we were parked at the Plough we decided to stay to eat. Good
move! A friendly welcome, more friendly dogs, a spot for the 3 of us in
the tiny snug and a yummy lunch. The |Plough is one of those unusual
places - an old fashioned, non-gastro pub and according to the bar staff
it's been chock full every weekend so far this month. How sad so many
pubs are closing and how good to find a traditional one left. A lovely
day all round!No more walks planned at the moment so watch this space, possibly when the weather improves. Hoping for a drier February!!
