There and back in Tandridge

John Parker, Ralph Osborne and Dave the Navigator were having a quiet pre-amble beer in the Barley Mow, Tandridge when they were delighted to be joined by guest walker Scott Wilson. John had known Scott since they were 19 and Scott was previously Head Choirboy at Southwark Cathedral  He is of course now under serious pressure from many of us to join our merry band.

Five of the Tandridge walkers - photo Mike Pardon

Nine walkers set off westwards along the Greensand Way (on Friday March 15) and undertook the first perilous crossing of the A22 London-Eastbourne road as they approached Leigh Mill. Dave quizzed the group on how much they had remembered from his previous lectures on making gunpowder (sadly not much, was the predictable reply). After skirting the picturesque mill pond, the group crossed the old A22 and ascended open farmland towards Tilburstow Hill, with glorious vistas southwards. Near the top of the hill the group crossed the Roman predecessor of the A22 and continued in the lee of the Greensand Ridge.

Eight of the Tandridge Nine (photo Mike Pardon)

Turning southwards, we climbed a style close to Wychcroft Diocesan Training centre and found that the path had totally disappeared. Dave relied on GPS to cross the trackless field to another style where the Welsh group members  were delighted to be greeted by a large flock of sheep. As we exited the field we found the path blocked by a fallen tree, requiring us to cross an unpleasant barbed wire fence. John P gallantly held the barbs at bay while the more agile helped the less agile over. This short delay proved helpful as the group arrived at the Fox and Hounds at Tilburstow just as it was opening for the evening session at 5pm.

Dave ushered the group back onto the track after a single pint as sunset was looming and there were still 1.5 miles to cover over muddy fields. The most traumatic part of the walk was the re-crossing of the main A22 - this time on a blind corner in the dusk at the peak of rush hour. Fortunately a kind truckie brought his enormous juggernaut to a halt (and a train of cars behind him) so that Faith could make a safe crossing.

Sunset came and went but there was just enough twilight for the group to reach the Barley Mow for one of our latest finish times of 18.20, followed by our usual slap-up dinner.