Frensham Ponds

Walk Diary Sunday 15th May

12 members including a first time walker with SWSW and four legged friend Sky enjoyed a 5 1/2 mile walk from Frensham Little pond. It's been a while since the group walked in this pleasant area, the terrain was mixed mostly easy going heathland and woodland.

 

The pond is especially lovely at this time of year with a good variety of bird life gearing up for spring. Excellent panoramic views were admired following a short steep climb up the Devil's Jumps - I hope everyone has forgiven me!

As the weather was good The National Trust café on the edge of the pond made a nice lunch stop.

 

 

Lovelace Bridges

Sunday 1st May


13 of us enjoyed a good walk through Sheepleas on a sunny 1st May. The scenery was lovely, with large areas of Bluebells to be admired by all, and of course the famous Lovelace Bridges. Some of us lunched at Gomshall Mill, and others at the cafe in Gomshall. Our thanks to Margo and John for leading this picturesque and interesting walk, and to Shirley for the photos.

Janet and Lynne

 

One Of The Surviving Bridges

 

 

Bluebells in Profusion

 

 

A Sunny Coffee-Break

Spanish Walks From Port Du Soller.

Well, I'm sure you will be pleased to hear we had a very pleasant holiday in Mallorca. The weather was kind, with mostly sunny days and good walking temperatures, around 20 deg C. The facilities and food at the Hotel were up to the usual H.F. standard, and many of the buffet style meals had a distinct Spanish and local Mallorcan flavour.

The mountains and scenery were spectacular, with heights up to 3,600 feet to be climbed, and also descended back down to sea level.  Fortunately we started half way up on that climb, and the view from the top of that mountain was splendid, but the descent, down a route called "The Pilgrim Steps", contained at least 1800 steps, and nearly finished me off! Luckily the next day was our day off, and we went for a tram/train ride to Palma, and a gentle stroll around.

The terrain was in many ways similar to the previous trip to Parcent on the Spanish mainland 3 years ago. The local rock was limestone again, and the hillsides had been terraced everywhere you looked. There was an extensive network of trails linking the pretty local villages together, routed around the remote terraces.  However, some of the tracks were quite rough, with some steep drop-offs to add a touch of excitement. We had views of the sea at least some of the time, but if not, we had ancient gnarly olive trees to look at, punctuated by the sound of sheep dressed with cow bells.

Here a few pictures, to give a bit more flavour:-

 

Lunch at the top of L'Offre (3600 ft), before the descent down the Pilgrim Steps.

 

 

 

The Pilgrim Steps, and Tony, beside a stream, currently dry.

 

 

 

Looking down over a least four zigs and zags of track on The Pilgrim Steps! 

 

 

 

Looking down over the bay at Deia, where they filmed some scenes in a restaurant for The Night Manager.

 

 

 

A brief rest for some of the SWSW gang.

 

A view of part of the track on  excellent walk along the coast, without too much up or down!

 

 

A sunny morning, strolling around Port Du Soller.

 

A view over the bay at Port Du Soller.

A typical view in one of the many villages we passed through.  All were tidy and neat, with a variety of bars and restaurants for passing travellers.

Thames and Hampton Court Place grounds.

Walk Report for Sunday the 20 March

15 of us set out from the Molesey Cricket Ground car park in cool weather. Our route took us along the Thames past the Lock to Hampton Court. We were joined by 4,000 half marathon runners at Hampton Court going along the riverside to Kingston. So we had to be on our best behaviour for all the supporters!

Arriving at Kingston Bridge we were serenaded by a Rock Choir (although in truth it was for the runners not us). We headed back through Home Park in peace and quiet arriving at the now locked gates in to the Palace Grounds. Apparently this earlier than scheduled summer closure (to now be permanent) is a major irritation for the local park users. However we easily overcame this obstacle by going out of the side gate and back in to the Grounds by the ornate gates. The display of spring flowers in the grounds was appreciated by all before we arrived at the Bridge. From there various parties split off in search of lunch, the Cricket Ground Cafe being a favourite. The walk of 5.5 miles took us about 2 1/2 hours.

Shamley Green

Walk Report 6th March

With the weather set fair 14 of us started from picturesque Shamley Green heading out of the village to join the Greensands Way. We followed this for some distance before branching off along Downs Link which follows the course of an old railway.

 

We later trekked across country passing a number of ancient and delightful cottages and farmsteads, taking in great views of the distant hills then skirting the Wintershall Estate before returning to our start point by way of Birtley House. We were a month or so too soon for the bluebells, although the eagle eyed botanists amongst us managed to spot one or two early specimens.

 

Unusually for Surrey we encountered only one small hill and surprisingly little mud on our route. As it was Mother’s Day the local pubs were likely to be too busy to accommodate us all for lunch, but three of us enjoyed excellent light lunches at The Snooty Fox Cafe in Shalford to round off a very pleasant morning.

 

 

 

 

Peper Harow

Luck was with us yet again weather wise on Sunday no rain although quite muddy in places as promised. A nice even number of 14 plus Meg, a cute black and white Border Collie set off from Shackleford Village for a 5 mile walk.

 

Heading off in the direction of Eashing we stopped for our coffee break at St. Nicholas Church at Peper Harow. The church dates back to Norman times although very little remains of the original medieval building.

 In 1826 the western tower was added, replacing a wooden bell-turret with shingled spire. Unfortunately, the church sustained considerable fire damage in December 2007. As you will see from the lovely photos taken by Margo, restoration has been completed.

The route continued around Norney and Hurtmore through fields and woodland carpeted with Snowdrops; concluding at the Squirrel at Hurtmore for drinks etc.

Snowdrops

 

The Group

Church Ceiling

Commons around Elstead

John and Margo led a very enjoyable 5 mile walk with some splendid views from the Woolpack at Elstead, the route encompassed Bagmoor, Ockley and Elstead Commons. The going was remarkably good considering the amount of rain fall we’ve had lately. As you can see from the photos we were fortunate with the weather too, a nice dry crisp winters day 

 

It was nice to see a good turnout of members with 18 staying on for lunch. Whilst the intention was to celebrate the New Year albeit belatedly; it also marked Southwest Surrey Walkers 10^th anniversary.

 

Some of you will be aware that the group was formed in 2006 by Stephen Colbrook; in fact the very first SWSW walk was led from Elstead on the 1^st January 2006. Although Stephen has since moved to the West Country the group continues, run by a small group of members.

 

 

 

Coffee Break Beside a Lake

 

The Group