CMVC
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Choir walking group
Flat beyond Reigate
True summer sunshine greeted the six walkers leaving the Skimmington Castle on Reigate Heath on Wednesday 19 June. Navigator Dave had promised nearly flat terrain – an exact reprise of the second choir walk he had led way back in 2015.
The June 19 six (selfie by George Taylor)
No watering holes, no worries
Walking around Woldingham’s glorious Marden Park is challenging for the choir as it’s difficult to find watering holes in the required places. However a select group of four were not to be beaten as they left the William Garland pub in the centre of Caterham on May 27 for the short walk up to navigator Dave Bannister’s house. There they hopped into John Parker’s car for the short journey up to where the North Downs Way crossed the A22.
Three of the Woldingham Four (Photo John Parker)
Walkers, please note
Choir members take part in informal local walks once every 3-4 weeks. These are mostly circular walks of 5-6 miles with a mid-walk refreshment stop, following a route proposed by a navigator. During British Summer Time they usually start at 2.30pm and finish around six, with a meal at the start/finish pub to follow. When the clocks revert to GMT, the walks start progressively earlier, starting around midday or 12.30 during the winter. All choir members are welcome to take part, and they are welcome to invite guests too. Please note that members and guests take part in the walks as individuals, and so take full personal responsibility for their own safety. The walkers followed all rules and guidance in respect of gatherings and outdoor activities during the Covid crisis.
The blues and whites of spring
Eight walkers left the Hare and Hounds at 2.30pm on April 29, intent on seeing this year’s bluebell display in all its glory. For once, they started by bus, decanting beyond the M25 beside the Caterham bypass and then heading steeply upwards towards the woods above.
A glorious blue display
Lost near Limpsfield
Six walkers assembled at the Grasshopper in Westerham on April 8 for the first outing of Summer Time. Doomsters and gloomsters were quoting weather forecasts of rain so waterproofs were donned or packed. The group headed south, at first following a route pioneered by ex-navigator Pete Gillman back in the mists of time (2013), when the former choir MD Richard Hoyle took part in his one and only choir walk.
Woodland stretch pioneered by Pete Gillman many years before
Narrow escape at Harrow
A hard-core six walkers set out from the Harrow in Farleigh at 2.30pm on March 18. Although our halftime destination, the White Bear at Fickleshole, lay to the east, our route took us first north and then west.
Five of Harrow six at half-time stop (guess name of pub)