A tale of two sunsets

Nine walkers assembled at the Fox on Coulsdon Common on 16 October, a venue which happily suited the morning environmental activities of Dave our Navigator.  Upon leaving the Fox, we negotiated slippery grass and steps across the wonderful Happy Valley, and up a muddy track onto Leazes Lane. A narrow path traversed the Surrey National Golf Course before emerging onto the busy Rook Lane.  

The nine plus Ted at Harrow halfway point

We turned left by Rook Farm and followed another muddy path to the "Five Ways" signpost indicating the North Downs Way. After 100 yards the group turned down a path by the side of Park Ham, admiring the  geological bowl caused by liquefaction and slippage of the soil during the ice age. Half-way down, the route turned left onto the scenic stretch just below the crest of the North Downs above Quarry Hangers.  

Enjoying the view at Quarry Hangers

The group paused to reminisce about the glorious blood-red sunset observed there at 17.06 on a walk in January 2016 before continuing on to the Harrow pub to meet Ted Mouat and enjoy a beer, a couple of songs and a chat with the locals.

Sunset hits the Shard

The route home backtracked onto the North Downs Way and up to Willey Park Farm with its magnificent views both southwards towards the South Downs and the sea and northwards to the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf and the City, where the Shard building was reflecting a dazzling silver sunset.  

After a short stretch along Chaldon Common Road, the group crossed the golf course in the late afternoon autumn sunshine and struck along onto Green Lane behind the sites of the old St Lawrences Hospital and Caterham barracks. The lane led in a directly back to the Fox and dinner.