North Downs Way - Day 1

Farnham to Newlands Corner
Distance: 14.5 miles
Ascent: 400m
Weather: overcast, humid

The relocated footpath did indeed take us back to the NDW path this morning - right through the middle of a landfill site, which wasn't particularly attractive - but it was better than the busy road and we saw a cinnabar moth.

We walked through Runfold Woods again , and the information board with the You Are Here arrow in the wrong place annoyed Rob again.

The path went alongside some potato fields, then along the top of Puttenham Common and then emerged into Puttenham.  Here we reassessed our definition of the phrase 'that's a big house'.

At the golf course, we passed a group of chaps teeing off, with varying degrees of success judging by the raucous laughter and swearing. I can't judge them on their standards of golf, but can (and do) judge them for using buggies. As the track passed the 10th tee we met a group of much, much older chaps who seemed much happier, were friendly and enjoying their five mile walk around the course.

There is also a rare breeds farm here, with pigs and interesting horned English Goats.

We called in at the cafe at the Watts Gallery for tea and massive scones with jam and cream.

The route passes through Shalford Park nature reserve, where at least they are honest about the nature that you will see there, the information board telling of such things as robins, chaffinch, moorhens and jackdaws. We did see these!

The route of the NDW here, and in many places along its length, is also the,same route Pilgrims' Way. The Pilgrims' Way isn't as old as its italics on the map might make one think - certainly pilgrims did walk from Winchester to Canterbury but their actual route is not known and it's likely that the well used ways simply became lanes, then busy roads, then the A31.

A very sandy bridleway (with reluctant looking horse being made to carry large person up a hill) led up to St Martha's Hill. We had a sit on one of the many benches and admired the view. To the south you can see Chanctonbury Ring on the horizon - and we remembered that on the day that we walked along there, we were looking over to the North Downs in the distance.

Around Albury Downs there are lots of benches and views over the valley and steam train. We had a brief stop at the visitor centre and then headed north up to the The Manor House Hotel where they have the Hogs Back TEA.