Warlingham, Whyteleafe and the Wattenden 

When Dave the Navigator arrived at the White Lion, Warlingham on 18 February, he found fellow pre-ambling drinker Martin already installed with some of his 2CV club stalwarts enjoying the special Monday beer offer at £2.49 a pint. Soon other walkers arrived, the taller and more experienced of whom  remembered to keep their hats on to soften any impact with the low beams of the ancient pub.

Uphill slog to Kenley Common

Fifteen walkers set out alongside Warlingham Green and turned into Shelton Avenue, where Dave paused and pointed out the first landmark, namely the house of regular walker and second tenor Brendan Redmond, who had apologised for being otherwise engaged.  A narrow footpath widened into a grassy clearing before walkers emerged onto Warlingham Rugby Club where various of the group had muddied themselves in sweaty battles many eons ago. 

After crossing Tithe Pit Shaw Lane, the route led into the wide expanses of Riddlesdown with its expansive views over the Whyteleafe Valley and across to Kenley Common and airfield. The group carefully descended a slippery path to the track of the old Roman London to Newhaven road and then down over the Oxted railway line and the A22.

A touch of the Hockneys near Kenley

Having crossed the Caterham railway by footbridge,  the group were challenged by the steep ascent  from New Barn Lane to Kenley Common. Fortunately navigator Dave and fellow volunteers had recently refurbished a flight of steps to assist in the drizzly rain and the group were soon in more sheltered woods at the top. All were relieved to reach the Wattenden Arms and to join social walker and local Kenley resident Ted Mouat inside for rest and refreshment.

The drizzle had abated as the group set out across the open grassland of Kenley airfield on the return leg. It was back across the level crossing of the Caterham line, the A22 by traffic lights and under the Oxted railway by bridge. The most difficult section of the walk was up slippery unrefurbished steps at the back of Whyteleafe Rec. This area is know as The Dobbin, reputably because there used to be a bucket cableway for transporting refuse up to a tip at the top. Presumably the cableway had replaced earlier horse drawn transport pulled by Dobbin.

A drizzly day for the Wattenden fifteen 

From the top it was level walking back to the White Lion where we were delighted to rendezvous for dinner with avid choir supporters Angela Goddard and Sue Ward, as well as Ted who had driven from the Wattenden. A final surprise was the appearance of Brendan who had finished with his family commitments and fancied a pint at his local with his choirmates.

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