Plods 2008

Date: 16th July 2008
Time: 5:30pm (we’ll need to leave Gatwick / Manor Royal a little early)
Parking: Gomshall Railway Station, so it may cost
Pub: The Compasses, Gomshall

Summary:

A wander westwards along the foot of the North Downs through the pretty village of Shere. (I’ll amend the route to take in the town centre.) We take in a little bit of the Pilgrims Way before climbing the Downs at Albury, then back east along the top dropping back into Gomshall past Colekitchen Farm.

Ever the optimist, I’m picturing a lovely summers evening and beers in The Campasses Inn beer garden with the Tillingbourne trickling past.

The map:-

The GPX file:-

Pretty poor turn out for the pre-amble. One. But, then again, it wasn’t well advertised.

In short, great walk Roy, everyone who can should attend.

Some observations:-

– the walk is definitely best done clockwise, views of the Ouse Valley Viaduct are sparse west of Ryelands Farm

– the Ardingly Reservoir Car Park is open until 9pm in the summer

– from the Car Park, head to the NE corner and cross a stile, when you reach a road turn right and you’re on the right track

– one muddy patch in Horse Wood

– look carefully for the right turn, following a gully down (over a stile) to Ayins Farm

– when you’re level with Ayins Farm, turn left towards it. Go through a gap in the fence with a stile to your right. Turn immediately right past the stile and go through a silver gate. Follow a narrow path through the meadow, initially straight on, but soon left, to go round the farm. Turn back and have a look at the building.

– there’s no point in pretending that the College Road / High Beech Lane section is any fun. Walk in single file and be careful. For the first RH bend switch to the LH side of the road because it’s a blind bend and the hedge abuts the road

– I’d strongly recommend that you shorten the route by turning right along Copyhold Lane. There’s a steep climb on High Beech Lane that has the cars dropping down fast towards you with little space to your right

– near the end, after Stone Hall on a lane heading east you’ll meet a gate across it with a small pedestrian gate to the left. Ignore this temptation and go through a silver gate on your left-hand side into the field, then take the angle pointed by the Public Footpath sign

– just after this you’ll have a wood on your left. Before the wood ends, look to your right and behind you – one last glimpse of the Viaduct!

Ardingly Circuit Lap Record, 2:43:07, N. Turton on 21/6/08 *

* subject to a IOC enquiry into Mr. Turton’s diuretic intake

A picture of the Ouse Valley Viaduct to whet your appetites:-

What, you want one with a train in it?

What, you want one with a steam train?

Get lost.

Date: 25th June 2008
Time: 5:30pm
Parking: Ardingly Reservoir, TQ 33523 28675 (WGS84)
Pub: Apres-walk watering-hole to be determined

Summary:-

A Roy Carter Special. An exploration of the natural and industrial history of the Ardingly area affording spectacular views of the Ouse Valley Viaduct. Followed a few pints and some crisps.

Map in PDF format:-

GPS Route for technophiles (and people who don’t trust Roy’s map-reading):-

Meet near the Frankland Arms There should be some roadside parking
W 0.40499896 N 50.90456208
E 512251 N 112908

Dave Tilling could not make it but did volunteer this write up:-
Someone was late- we got going, we got lost, we
found the way again, Bradlg faffed, someone else fell over , we got to the pub
and all was well.

Well almost correct! Most cars left from Victory house on time and arrived in Washington and parked with time to spare, since it was a nice afternoon and there was a Pub garden opposite it seemed foolish not to take advantage while waiting for the rest of the group. Pizzas were ordered as an incentive to get back on time! However due to traffic problems on the A23 Andy and family were not able to join us so off across the fields we went. Once the accent up Chanctonbury was started Neill showed his prowess at hill climbing as was soon waiting for the rest at the top. After a brief rest Neill followed the unofficial path round the North side while the rest went the normal way along the South Downs path. Soon Cissbury was reached and a bonus Trig point. Steve & Neill went off to locate a Geocache which was found hidden in brambles. The return leg involved a long climb back upto the summit of the ridge west of Chanctonbury and then a descent in the gathering gloom through he woods an back to the promised Pizzas at the Frankland arms.

14th May
After a bit of a faff due to parking in 2 different locations we header off almost following the planned route towards Sharpthorne then away accross the field to follow the Bluebell railway to Horsted Keynes. After crossing the railway we found a Geocache and proved they do exist.
Past Ardingly and on to the woods between Wakehurst and Philpots but failed to spot the ‘Large upon little’ stone feature.

30th April
All met by the Church in Slaugham on a dismal evening with promise rain. Headed South to Warniglid and across the A23 . Completed the Carter collection when Roys brother joined us on the walk towards Staplefield. Prevented a delay by aborting a breakway to the Pub and continued to the lakes below Nymans Gardens then back across the A23 at Handcross and a return to Slaugham and a welcome refeshment at the pub.

9th April
Started in the Carpark at Forest Row, most people turned up on time and we welcomed some new recruits including Roy, Andy & Pete. Headed out past the Golf Corse then then over the A22 into the wilds of Ashdown Forest. Roy-in-blue went his own way but we all emerged on the other side to cross priory lane and dropped down to the Pale. We were luckier than deer in the past and were able to escape from the forest and soon had a view of Weir Wood reservoir. On the way down Steve had a look for a Geocache but in plodding tradition it was ellusive. Passing Brambletye ruins the pace was stepped up as the light was dimming and the Chequers beckoning.