Posted:  Friday 17 July 2009

South East Associates
Downside Walk

- Tuesday 16th June -

On a beautiful, warm, summer morning, twelve of us left the delightful olde "Cricketers Inn" overlooking the green at Downside, near Cobham, Surrey for a 5-mile stroll through verdant summer meadows and woodlands around the River Mole.

We had two challenges: first, the high number of stiles, not so good for those of us with "hips" and "knees"; second, was a steepish climb (done twice - say no more!) to the Semaphore Tower at Chaley Heath, one of sixteen signalling stations set up between the Admiralty and Portsmouth in the 1820's.

It was unfortunately closed and we were all most disappointed at not being able to climb the stairs to the top of the 60ft tower - so our photo does not show the "conquerors", just the "walkers".

Other viewpoints gave a good view over the lovely countryside, and after two or three "diversions" (amazing how the route looks different and gets obscured by the growth of trees, ferns and grasses by early summer) we did 6 miles instead of 5 - and needed a pint or two to go with the award winning food in the sunshine at the Cricketers - where we were joined by some "non-walkers".

The challenge for walks, as always, is to try to stick to the planned route and distance.  Funny how practise does not make this perfect!!

Geoff Cornwel-Smith

(ph  17/07/2009)

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