Newlands Corner, Shere and Back 11th March

Another early one! Arrived in Guildford just before 7.30 and hit the pavements! 5 minutes outside the town centre is the wonderful Pewley (or Pervy?) Down. Great for sloe picking in the autumn. We saw just one other walker - a man with a lead but no dog! The views were lovely although slightly obscured by some early morning mist.  We were relying on Becky for navigation again and she played a blinder! We followed the North Downs Way to Newlands Corner and arrived in time for a peaceful breakfast (hardly a biker in sight!).  Coffee, cake and comfort stops are what keep this team going!! 3.75 miles before 8.30 on a Sunday isn't half bad!

Sandra has another bad hair day!

This week we also had a spring in our steps because we were top of the Fundraising Leaderboards ...(pause for applause!!).  We are hugely chuffed to be there and it has made us all the more determined to see this challenge through!

The next section of the walk is all down hill (hurrah!) to the beautiful village of Shere.  We passed the scene of Agatha Christie's mysterious disappearance in 1926 - a very unromantic chalk pit!! Shere was the location of the film "The Holiday" and it really is pretty. We had to cross a ford - note the raging rapids - to enter the village. Luckily a bridge was on hand and a very helpful family who took the photo of the intrepid three!

The Ford

 

Glad we bought waterproof boots!

Hurrying past the tea rooms and the inviting pubs (not to mention the prison house) we headed out up a very steep and long hill! Becky led from the front and was determined to overtake a family of walkers just so she could take some sneaky pictures of Sue and Sandra puffing like steam engines! All good training of course..






At the top we crossed a couple of country roads before coming to a small car park.  Some cyclists were getting ready to go and we caught up with an old man on the path who kindly stepped aside. Becky and Sandra were deep in conversation about a book. The gentleman eagerly told Sue who was slightly behind " you go like bicycles!" We have no idea how to take this but needless to say we did giggle like crazy when Sue shared the joke!


Steeply downhill to Silent Pool meant only one thing..steeply uphill to follow. Time for a jelly baby break! Unfortunately the Pool has been drained for maintenance but it is usually a very atmospheric place. The water has a peculiar, eerie colour and there are lots of spooky stories associated with it. 

The climb up is pretty scary! Thank God for walking poles!!  Onto Newlands Corner for our second visit of the morning.  The hairy bikers had arrived in droves.  We were able to indulge in Sue's Gran's fruit cake (yum!) and Sandra was roped into a blind mango tasting (don't ask!). The map came out for the first time and we plotted a route to St Martha's Hill.  The route took us back along the North Downs Way and then a short and sharp ascent to the the church. The sun came out giving us some beautiful views. We made our way back to the car feeling very, very happy!

Stats: 15 mile walk - ascended approx 2500 feet. Calories burnt 1500. 5.5 hours (with stops).