Wot, no Witch?
The grim afternoon's weather forecast had prompted a poll amongst CMVC walkers as to who was brave enough to risk biblical rain. The result was that eight hardy souls left the Ramblers' Rest in Chipstead on 20 October well togged up for any eventuality.
Seven of the hardy Chipstead eight, braving biblical rains
The initial stage was uphill over open fields which tested some of the waterproof clobber, but soon we entered the more sheltered Banstead Woods for some respite under its early autumn canopy.
Shelter from the storm
After emerging near Perrott's Farm, the group endured another exposed stretch alongside Ruffett Wood before diving into a sheltered footpath between houses leading up to and across Holly Lane. From there it was flat going past horse paddocks on the outskirts of Banstead and through the village cricket club.
We turned right upon reaching Park Road and soon our half-time stop, The Mint pub, was in sight. Not only did a pint of ale cheer us up, it also seemed to cheer up the weather as the rain had abated by the time we left the pub.
The first unpleasant stage of the return journey was along the road with no footpath, but we soon turned right on to scenic Park Downs and descended to Holly Lane. After crossing the busy road, we passed Park Farm and struggled to contain our excitement as we were now on the fabled Narnia Trail.
Neil emerges from magic wardrobe
The group soon spotted the substantial wooden Wardrobe, with its substantial wooden coats hanging inside. Although we then looked keenly for the Witch, she was nowhere to be seen.
We weren't sure whether she'd been dismantled or simply incinerated as part of an early Bonfire Night celebration. However the carving of Aslan the Lion was still in place and not looking too weather-beaten after years of exposure. Finally, to our delight, we found that the previously fallen and missing Lucy Pevensie and her lamppost had been re-erected close to her original site.
Drier weather on final stretch
The dry weather continued for the final stretch along Chipstead Downs ready for a substantial early supper back at our starting pub.