North Downs Way - Day 2

Newlands Corner to Reigate Hill
Distance: 20.5 miles
Ascent: 700m
Weather: warm
Discarded stuff so far: two socks yesterday (not a pair) and one today.

We set off about 9:30 and called at the kiosk at the visitor centre for provisions, including excellent flapjack with fudge, cranberry and seed topping.  Lots of walkers, cyclists and bikers were out. 

Heading eastwards seemed less popular but there were still a fair few speedy mountain bikers on the track - plus a couple of horses at an unfortunately narrow section.

We (or rather I) decided (and Rob came with me) to make the detour to visit Silent Pool, which is 100m down and then back uphill. It was here in 1926 that Agatha Christie's car was found when she mysteriously disappeared for 11 days. On a sunny morning with birds singing and ducks swimming, it was rather different to how it must have been that December day, with eerie silence and an abandoned car.

At Little King's Wood we stopped for elevenses, with plenty of insects for company.

Through Ranmore Common we saw loads of butterflies,  includes common blue, white admirals, brimstones, little yellow /gold coloured moths.

Plus there was a black and white bird flitting about from branch to branch, which we're not sure about.

Along here there are a lot of WW2 pillboxes, and we had a look in one of them. It was dark, damp, littered and rather unpleasant - but possibly no more or less so than it would have been when in use.

To cross the A24 there was a bit of a detour up to Burford Bridge subway, and then back down.  We called in at the toilets, which was necessary but definitely a 2/10 rating.

After navigating the stepping-stones, for what there was a bit of a queue, we climbed Box Hill. We definitely weren't the quickest,  but at least we didn't get lapped.

At the monument we stopped with the crowds for lunch,  then continued onwards, barely seeing anyone from then on but a few groups of DofE'ers (leaving a trail of tent pegs) and a rather wobbly mountain biker. This was quite surprising, as the path was very pretty with holly, flowering hawthorns and ransomes. Most people seemed to be far more interested in the car park and the burger van.

We stopped to have a chat with one group of kids (not the mean girls taking selfies) and confirmed that they were indeed just where they thought they were, unusual that they spoke to us - people do not seem to say hello round here.

There were a lot a ups and downs for the next section of the day, up to Colley Hill, where there is a little monument pavilion place (and a watch tower that you can't photograph because it's in the trees) and fine views. What the guide book doesn't mention is the noise from the M25 which runs about 100 yards north of here.

Just a little further on we visited Reigate Fort, on Reigate Hill, which is very modern for a hill fort.  It was built in 1890 when there was troubles with the French,  and used again during the world wars, and then by the scouts.

The Bridge Hotel is just around the corner and much larger than I expected it to be.  The walk to the bedroom is quite an addition to today's mileage.