Woldingham Circular and on to Riddlesdown

15 November. The weather forecast was for heavy rain, thanks to Storm Claudia, and it had rained continuously the previous day. But we set off in light cloud with patches of blue sky and sun. We walked past Walsingham School and its new vineyards – an investment to fund bursaries apparently, but also testimony to the northward march of the grape. Then we turned left on to the North Downs Way and walked up into woods and a heavy mist. We could hear the M25 which was running parallel and some way below us. But all we could see were the nearly bare trees and the leaves and mud at our feet. Look a bit further, and there was only mist.

You could spend the whole day getting lost in Church Wood. But you have to come out of the woods for lunch, which was at the cafe attached to Woldingham Garden Centre. Twelve of us did the morning walk. One arrived at lunch time. Five went home. Two chose to do another loop around Woldingham. And six of us continued North, up Bug Hill, to come out eventually on Riddlesdown Common, linking briefly with the London Loop. Here we did have views and a dramatic cloud-scape. And we reached Riddlesdown Station before sunset.

Janet, with thanks to Mary-Jane and Julian for photos.