Walks in 2017
January 19th - Around Albury
The weather was kind as the group, led by Jim Robertson, walked from the Drummond Arms, up Water Lane and West under the lee of the North Downs. Clear air and bright sunshine gave outstanding views. From the edge of St Martha's Hill it was down to Waterloo Pond and then across the A248 at Longfrey Farm. Past Lockner Holt, with it's strange bright yellow shutters, on the edge of Blackheath and down again to the Drummond for an excellent lunch. The map of the walk is here.
February 16th - Hascombe Rings
Timothy Lewis led his intrepid band round Hascombe Hill to the standing stone circle. A sight which was a revelation for some of the walkers.The back through Nore Farm, where some chose a flatter route, up to the tops overlooking the village and back to rejoin the lower team who were taking their ease beside a pond. At the end of the walk, the White Horse being shut for refurbishment, the walkers took themselves to The Sun at Dunsfold, where an excellent lunch was had. The map of the walk is here.
March 16th - Chiddingfold - Furnace Place
Unfortunately Jack Salway, who was scheduled to lead the walk, was incapacitated by a bad cold. So the group was led, most ably and at a cracking pace, by Nicky, his wife. The route took the group from the car park at Chiddingfold recreation ground (quite easy to miss if you don't know it) out almost to Grayswood before returning via alpacas, Furnace Place and Langhurst Manor. Lovely scenery and new to many of the walkers. Although Jack was not there to show us his promised display of Lysichiton americanus (Skunk Cabbage) it was unmissable. Lunch was taken in the Winterton Arms - excellent with a great range of ales. The map of the walk is here.
April 20th - Shalford and the St Martha's
We started from the car park at The Seahorse pub in Shalford at 10 am and walked via Pewley Down en route to St Martha's. The full walk was around the 5 mile mark, with a fair amount of ups and downs The steepest bit was towards the start, up to the top of Pewley Down, and there was of course the long but fairly gradual haul up to the top of St Martha's. At the end of the walk the group retired to the Seahorse. The map of our walk is here.
May 18 – Around Forest Hill and Ewhurst
Tim Parkinson led us from The Parrot at Forest Green on a circuit taking us at its furthest point to the edge of Ewhurst. This took in a fine variety of field, wood edge and woodland paths, largely flat but spiced up by 18 stiles which our walkers took admirably in their stride. The map of our walk is here.
June 15 - Busbridge and Munstead Heath
Alan Betts took the group from Busbridge and up onto Hydon's Heath before returning via Hydestyle and Tuesley. He then kindly entertained walkers to an alfresco lunch. The map is here
July 20 - Isle of Wight
Michael Hartnall had planned to lead the sixth of his annual walks on the Isle of Wight. There was huge disappointment when the walk had to be cancelled on the day because a broken down train.
August 17 - Grayshot and Gibbet Hill
The August walk was led by Jim Gallaher. Leaving the car park at the Wheatsheaf Inn, walkers climbed steadily around the eastern flank of Gibbet Hill before returning via open farmland to the pub and a good lunch. A map of the walk can be found here
August 17 - Grayshot and Gibbet Hill
The August walk was led by Jim Gallaher. Leaving the car park at the Wheatsheaf Inn, walkers climbed steadily around the eastern flank of Gibbet Hill before returning via open farmland to the pub and a good lunch. A map of the walk can be found here
September 14 - Thames Path
Brian Hedger had planned an outing for us. After taking the train to Putney, a brief walk down the High Street took us down onto the Thames Path. This provided a flat but scenic and interesting walk to Kew Bridge where tea was taken at the Maids of Honour. Than a bus back to Richmond station for the train back.
October 19 - Peaslake
Jim Robertson was the October walk leader. Leaving the village car park, usually packed with cyclists' and walkers; vehicles but empty on this occasion, we headed up onto the higher land to the West of the village for a rolling stroll towards Farley Green and then back for lunch at the Hurtmore Inn. This doesn't take bookings and we were lucky to get a table for 7. Map of the walk is here.
November16 - Puttenham
Piers Sturney took November walkers for a morning's exercise on Puttenham Common. After 4.5 miles and some excellent views over the surrounding countryside, the group returned to the Good Intent pub for refreshment and lunch.Map of the walk is here.
December 14 - Christmas Lunch walk
This year's Christmas walk was again led by Peter Voisey. Leaving the WIthies at Compton he set a good pace out to Hurtmore then back across Hurtmore golf course and a magnificent view down to Eastbury Manor. An excellent Christmas lunch was enjoyed by a;;. Link to the walk map is here