Saturday 7 June. The weather forecast for this walk was pretty dire – heavy rain showers, possibility of a hail storm and even a chance of thunder and lightning, just to add to the drama. I expected it to be a washout but whatever showers there may have been, they Read more…
24 May. This is one of my favourite walks. It is somehow a particularly green walk. You get immersed in the hills and meadows of the East Sussex weald. From Stonegate, ten of us made our way to Burwash for lunch, where we were joined by an intrepid eleventh who Read more…
17 May. After a chilly start the weather remained perfect for this eleven mile walk on the South Downs. We were joined by ten walkers and, after a short uphill slope, we set out at a brisk pace on the first long flat section towards the distant Stanstead House along Read more…
26 April. I have only once before done this walk to Bates Bluebell Farm, with another group before the COVID pandemic. I was not able to do a recce in advance as I had intended, and I had made mention of this in advance of the walk. Berwick is not Read more…
3 May. I was quite relieved that the temperature for this walk had come down a few notches from the 29-plus degrees we had a couple of days earlier – I’m talking centigrade here not Fahrenheit. At Guildford station on a lovely bright morning fifteen walkers had gathered to set Read more…
19 April. Fourteen walkers, great weather, innumerable wild flowers. Ardingly reservoir first, with a climb up to the old church, spotting the Balcombe viaduct in the distance. We uncovered the brass rubbings telling some of the Culpepper family story you can find on line. Walking by Ardingly Reservoir, and on Read more…
Despite a potentially off-putting announcement, eleven people met at Fishersgate station to trial a new walk. The way followed the Sussex Border Path which starts at the station and leads straight up to the Downs up by way of suburban alleys and shady, well signed footpaths; a steady but gentle ascent. Read more…
29 March. This is Sally’s walk, but ten people arrived at Holmwood station to discover that I was leading, as Sally had sprained a muscle (she is fine now). Nobody turned back to go home which was an auspicious sign for me. The walk had been passed on from Frank, Read more…
There were 12 of us on the train down from Charing Cross. The weather forecast had steadily deteriorated over the week and we were resigned to 35% chance of rain all day. We headed up the hill Knole Park. Owned by the Sackville family the massive house with its extensive Read more…
Saturday March 15th. Eleven gathered at Gerrards Cross Station after the short journey from Marylebone. We were joined in the car park by at least two other walking groups, one averaging less than half our age. We soon reached Bulstrode Park. Its 400 acres were originally bought in 1686 by Read more…