Walk Report

Gems of East Surrey, Saturday 10th August 2019
5 walkers, 21.4 miles, 2,940ft of ascent - leader Ken Fancett
Weather the day before was severe with heavy rains and strong winds during the night. On the morning of the event the air was still very damp and the prospects did not look good. However the Met Office had given a forecast for bright weather (albeit) with a yellow warning for wind. In the event the weather in the morning was a bit showery with a pleasant sunny afternoon. I don't remember it being especially windy. The alternate rain/sun of previous weeks led to a number of paths becoming overgrown, in fact I made an inspection of the route (with some cutters) four days beforehand and spent about an hour cutting down one path which had become completely impassable. I also found than one stile was barred with electric tape (designed to be seen by horses) which, with great reluctance, I also cut down. I had taken the opportunity to invite some members from Beckenham Running Club to join us. On the day we had one from BRC (an LDWA member) and three from London LDWA. I have no idea whether it was the weather conditions that stopped more people going or just my reputation as an incompetent walk leader. I spent a great deal of time pioneering a route which incorporated paths not shown on O.S. maps and which I didn't know existed myself until I went out and researched them. I suppose I wondered in the end whether it had all been worth it. I'm extremely grateful to the few who did show up. I think I will need to give myself a break before I volunteer again. We had a lunch stop at Tatsfield where there is a pub, tearoom, and seats round the duckpond. I don't advise anyone to follow the route on their own, without getting further information from me first, as some parts are quite intricate and they would likely get lost.

---