A problem of timing

Six walkers crossed the road from the Red Lion on yet another sunny summer's day (June 29) and progressed down to the panoramic path overlooking the bailey of the site of Bletchingley Castle.  The walk had been postponed several times for fear of the exceptional temperatures forecast, verging on the high 30s C.   Now they were back to the mid-20s C.  

Yet another sunny day in Surrey - but below the recent temperature record

Navigator and Chief Historian Banners quizzed the group on events regarding the castle's sacking in 1264 and was rewarded with slightly more response than the usual blank faces.The party continued down and entered one of the longest subways under the M23 where the resonant acoustic proved challenging.  It was too dark in the middle of the subway to see conductor Dave's baton, but the singers carried on regardless. 

The group continued westwards until reaching Mid Street in South Nutfield where we turned northwards back towards the Greensand Ridge. At the start of the walk, Dick Jones had arrived just in time after negotiating a blocked A23, which prevented bus access to Redhill, instead improvising by catching a train to Redhill. 

Meanwhile Tony Keel, on a later bus, had given up and  turned back for home. On hearing from Dick, his dedication for the walk was demonstrated by catching the train and then a bus, planning to meet us at our halfway stop, the Inn on the Pond.

Six of the seven at the R&R stop.  Photo John Parker (no. 7)

Tony got to the pub early, impressing his fellow-walkers with his dedication.  He phoned us to warn that a notice outside the Inn on the Pond said that it was not open until much later.  Unfortunately one of Tony's other qualities was an understanding of the 24-hour clock on the same level as Captain Mainwaring without Sergeant Wilson to guide him.

Tony had interpreted "Opening at 16.00" to mean opening at 6pm. The party diverted to the Queen's Head for refreshment and a deserved ribbing of Tony.

"Mr Gillman, I presume." The trailing group catches up with Pete after his solo diversion

The return journey descended northwards from the A25 ridge. Walk supremo Peter Gillman became detached from the main group, messaging them to establish where they were.  Using his olde-worlde map and compass, he  found a shorter route to the M23 subway, arriving there substantially ahead of the others. 

This subway was shorter and more cavernous with acoustics more accommodating to our singing. The final stretch passed The Hawthorns School with a final ascent back up the A25 ridge and a tasty supper at the Red Lion.