a look out for Ranger with shotgun. A short stop was taken at the bridge
to view the lake and wildlife including a goose nesting in a tree.
| Date | Location | Organgrinder |
|---|---|---|
| 29th September | Blechingley | Farrip |
| October |
| Where | Distance | How Many |
|---|---|---|
| Balcombe | 8.2Km | 8 |
| Wakehurst | 9Km | 7 |
| South Downs - Fulking | 9.5Km | 11 |
| Loxwood | 8Km | 7 + Artist |
| Deers Leap | Various | 16 + BBQers |
| Ashdown Forest | 11Km | 5 |
| Limpsfield Chart | 14Km | 4 |
| Leith Hill | 8.5Km | 10 + 1/2 |
| Bough Beech | 8.4Km | 6 |
| Name | Speciality/Task | Name | Speciality/Task |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Tilling | Chief whipper in and communications | Graham Bradley | Responsible for general organisation |
| Steve Booth | Navigating diversions | Steve Metcalfe | Maps and equipment |
| Andy Dawson | Hill climbing and pace | Richard Partdridge/ Paul Farimond | Engineering support & ballet clothes |
| Emmanuel Sciara | Linguist | Rob Brown | Scenery and Singing |
| Axelle | Chinese Take aways | Jim Ellis | Honorary Artist & Philosophical Advisor |
| Jon Rennie | in charge of incendiary devices | Neal Zimmermann | in charge of getting things down from top shelves |
| Suzanne Haylock | Bernd Eggen | House Hunting | |
| Bjorn Olofsson | Mark Rainbow |
|
|
A short delay to the start was caused by certain cars following my instruction too literally and going via Copthorne village, also Graham went on a food hunt in Balcombe. Neal had spoken to Dave earlier in the week about clothing and turned up in shorts (not Pink) and trainer taped up with brown tape, showing himself to be a true IFP member even though it was only his first walk.
The first part of the walk went down towards the end of the Western
arm of Ardingly Reservoir, Steve M. decided to get take a wrong turn just
before the steps down, "Just to get it out of my system!!" Jon found a
slow worm sunning itself on a bank by the path which Steve then duly photographed
while Jon held it. The path then followed the reservoir round to the causeway.
We now required our yellow stickers to allow access to the Loder Valley
reserve, we had to be out of there by 6pm or else????? So at 5:55 we entered
and walked along the western side past the Bog Oak keeping
a look out for Ranger with shotgun. A short stop was taken at the bridge
to view the lake and wildlife including a goose nesting in a tree.
The next part of the walk took us up the hill and out to the road for a few hundred metres, at the top Andy spotted 'his radio mast' at West Hoathly and Graham produced a 1:50,000 OS map to confirm landmarks. The colours of the map looked a bit strange and then it was apparent that it was an old map as it did not have Ardingly reservoir shown!
The return leg to The Half Moon was completed with no problems and Neal's brown tape still intact.
|
|
After crossing the road hear Wakehurst we negotiated the deer farm and passed though the Wakehurst gardens before climbing the hill to briefly tread the footsteps of our previous walk. Then the final leg back to the roaring fire and a pint! However about 15 minutes before the pub a sound was heard behind, Jon was racing up behind having started 45 minutes behind us!! A very commendable performance.
Hopefully the turnout will be better next time with fewer feeble excuses.
| Old hands: | New legs: | Not attending: |
|---|---|---|
|
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| 
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A gentle trample through the fields followed. After ten minutes, Bernd
remembered that he had to go and "look at houses" and started to walk back.
The rest of us had looked at the houses on the way out of the pub car park.
A mile later and Rainbm decided that he had kept his clothes on long enough,
no photos were taken of this, some things are best left undocumented. It
was at this time that Haylos decided that she had better start socialising.
mmm...
An hour of gentle and very flat walking, and we arrived at the Tottington
Manor bar and restaurant. Unfortunately, we arrived at 6:30 and the bar
only opened at 7. This was met by a chorus of disgust, not least of which
was from the organiser who chose this time to reveal that he had modified
the route primarily to involve more pubs. We therefore continued walking,
fifteen minutes later we were 150 meters higher. It was at this point that
the emergency provisions were broken out, alas only water.
We proceeded along the top and decided to turn away from the big "cow" with horns. Bradlg was volunteered to act as a decoy, should said cow decide that we were infringing on its herd. Luckily his services were not required. We proceeded along the South Downs way past the youth hostel and radio mast, meeting various people on the way including a man on an immaculate BSA motorbike, various other people out for a pre-pub wander, some joggers who seemed to be having a "loudest outfit" competition and a woman in need of a puncture repair kit, though not for her bike.
Arriving back in the pub, we found discovered that the "Knots of May" were in town, or should that have been "Ides of March"? They proceeded to put on a show of hitting sticks together and dancing with hoops covered in flowers, much to the bemusment of our international guests. When presented with an elephant's behind, most contributed. Apart from those who had "run out of change". The dancers then spent this money on buying copious amounts of alcohol. Bernd and his wife then joined us, having seen all the houses they wanted to.
Beer was drunk and food consumed and everyone agreed that it had been a most enjoyable stroll.
Thanks to brownr for the words & E for the picies| Old hands: | New legs: | Not attending: |
|---|---|---|
|
|
A turn over the canal and though some woodland and farmland had E enthusing
about the violets (Foxgloves).
A short pause for refreshment prior to crossing the road near a pub
which was passed without comment! and the walk continued along a ridge
with good views until another short diversion to look at Pancake cottage,
Neal used a guide book for this walk. Then back towards the canal at Brewhurst
to find Jim peacefully, up to now! painting a mill. After watching Jim
we continued on our wey back to the pub together with a local dog who,
much to his owner annoyance attempted to join us.
After a few pints and a vote that it was a good walk but not one that
DT would have approved of, not enough height gained.
|
| 
| 
|
Within two hours, all four groups had found most of the marker posts
and returned to the picnic area, with no major injuries or mechanical problems.
The usual level of wit, wind ups and banter was maintained throughout the
ride.
The staff at Deers Leap very kindly took all the barbecue bits and
pieces down in their buggy. Anne Marie, Martin and Suzanne had a ride,
as well, which looked fun. Mike Thompson arrived with Hae Soon and their
children, followed by Mark Rainbow, Joe and young Will, who is eight weeks
old and still in training for cycling. Esther looked after Will for a time
and showed that she is a very capable babysitter.
(A request had been made by one of the regulars who was unable to
attend for certain photographs to be produced, sadly the camera did not
do justice to the technicolour display, however use of computer enhancement
helps to give the viewer an idea of the brilliance of certain items of
apparel. Ed)
Steve and Mike took charge of the Barbecue,
while Emmanuel organised an extremely energetic game of football with
the youngsters. The ball was whacked into the hedge but eventually retrieved
after several children got into the hedge. When all the food had gone and
darkness started to fall, we realised that it was half past nine and packed
up. On the way back to the car park, some of the children staged a pitched
battle in a big pile of wood chippings. One parent threatened to leave
his offspring in the woodpile, but finally all spouses, infants and bikes
were reunited with their cars. The staff at Deers Leap said that they would
be pleased to see any of the cyclists and their families again. It was
a very enjoyable evening- the children all had great fun and so did the
Grown Ups.
| Old hands: | New legs: | Not attending: |
|---|---|---|
|
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Axelle and myself arrived at the agreed meeting point next to the AA phone box at 19:00. We just waited 10 minutes before seeing our three valorous plotters arriving from the distance.
After a short faffing, we went on the start the second and perhaps most dangerous part of this days walk. More courageous and intrepid than usual we were indeed as we had to go through some land owned and operated by the army for its training. Neil could not help showing some hesitation to enter the restricted area and pretended some discomfort in his shoes : a stone, damaged shoes he advanced. But ultimately, resigning himself not to abandoned, he went forward and we entered the danger zone, conscious of the risks we were taking. As we advanced the forest changed faces and the profusion of wild bracken suggested our trip went wilder and wilder. At the time the path became more difficult to trace. We wondered whether we would flush out any hidden disguised soldier. We certainly saw a herd of deer. As a matter of fact St. reported that on a following mission in the same fields, he spotted soldiers training right at the same place. Therefore we could possibly conclude their camouflages were here better than we had expected.
Nevertheless staying firmly on the track and well grouped we went on deeper in the forest. Questions emerged as we approached a small river flowing in its bright red bed. Was this a trap designed to poison thirsty enemy? Anyway we went on carefully avoiding any contact with the deadly water. It was only to realise later that the path became full of surprises : A first dead-end forced us to use a barley marked track. As we escaped a second dead-end forced us to dangerously cross the river. Handy, in a desperate trial jumped and went in contact with the thilthy water. Luckily only his boots were to be infested. Discouraged by Handy?s experience, we decided to find another way through. Fortunately we found a dead tree crossing the river in a not too far distance. Most of us made it but Axelle needed to take all her courage in addition of external help to successfully cross.
This turned out to be our last adventure. As we walked on we arrived in cleared opened areas. A peaceful walk followed presenting to us a surprisingly dry but beautiful scenery as the darkness was beginning its reign. Peaceful sighting some what disturbed by a few cheap running away from us. Stupid animal.
There, we went to the pub. The emotion produced by our adventure made St. pick the wrong pub. Luckily a shortage of soda gave us the perfect excuse to disappear in a manner that shocked Axelle. We switched to the correct pub. Old in appearance, its ambiance was very pleasing. Quiet a resting moment for our adventurers? E
| Old hands: | New legs: | Not attending: |
|---|---|---|
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The sun by now was nearing the horizon and it was clear that unless
a brisker pace was adopted some navigational problem would ensue. The ascent
of Toys Hill went without incident and after a brief stop for water & 
photo
we continued onto French Street, better E??. By now it was getting a bit
gloomy in the trees and some difficulty was experienced in finding the
correct paths. We finally found the Crokham Hill - Westerham road and continued
towards the Tower, this we found but did not feel inclined to linger as
it was getting dark and it was populated by the local yuuff.
After crossing the headwaters of the river Darent we made a blunder
and header to far North and ended in in a wood, however by good luck we
blundered onto the Greensand Way link path and resumed our Westward progress. 
It
was then remembered that Steve's car keys had a small torch attached so
some map reading was attempted confirming to E's delight that we were in
fact heading towards the pub and if we did not get totally lost we should
be there before closing time. However all did not go according to plan
and we lost the Greensand Way markers and had to follow our noses etc.
But after blundering in the dark over some uneven paths we eventually saw
lights, and even better it was the Carpenters arms!
| Old hands: | New legs: | Not attending: |
|---|---|---|
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The planned route included an attempt at the hill fort at Anstiebury, however many trees had fallen, probably in THE GREAT STORM of 1987 making a very effective barrier to both walkers and those being carried , Young Will. A number of intrepid explorers attempted to penetrate the thicket but most were forced back by holly & bramble. DT called for a return to the path and a modified simpler route to the Roman road. Here it was decided that we would use the path and road and not attempt a re-enactment of the great roman legions heading for the coat along Stane Street. After a couple of field it was noticed that our numbers had decreased first by one then two, Andy & Steve B were no longer with us and were presumed to have fallen foul of the ancients at the fort. So onward to the objective at the tower on Leith hill hoping that Steve & Andy would find their way there. At the Landslip DT had to be persuaded that the direct ascent was not the best and a more gentle ascent was followed. Once at the tower we found no sign of the lost duo, so had a short break for refreshment, then who should come up the path but Andy & Steve. A brief word from them follows...
As mentioned earlier, it was the fallen trees, dense holly and the sheer steepness of Anstiebury Hill that made DT abort the assault on the fort. By a remarkable coincidence, it was exactly these same reasons that made Steve & Andy continue on upwards. The two intrepid trailblazers duly conquered the summit and claimed the fort in the name of the Plodders, Queen & Country. A period of about 20 seconds of euphoria was closely followed by the realisation that they had lost all contact with the main Squad. A quick crisis meeting was held whilst descending via Anstie Lane. It was decided to head for Leith Tower by the most obvious route and to keep a good lookout for size 14 footprints. To everyone's surprise the Squad did indeed re-form under Leith Tower and the customary photo was quickly taken before anyone else went AWOL.
Mark & family decided on the direct return to the pub whilts the rest of us went for a loop to the North to visit Tilling Springs. DT was most impressed with the possible site of his ancestry, a landscaped pond an a secluded valley. On the return up the hill to the pub we spotted a deer running accross the track ahead of us and then at the cricket pitch, E was once again amazed at the English fondness of cricket and the placement of the pitch far away from the village!!.
At the pub a well earned pint was taken only interupted when 4 police
came in and removed another customer!!!
| Old hands: | New legs: | Not attending: |
|---|---|---|
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The evening was rounded off in the Wheatsheaf at Bough Beech where we were joined by Graham and Caroline. Axelle was given a surprise birthday present! E is probable now in trouble for mentioning her birthday!.