Saturday’s walk was completed under leaden skies with little or no sign of the sun, but thankfully it remained dry.  Twenty Poly Ramblers convened at Chipstead station, most looking to walk off the excesses of the previous few days.  We walked downhill past the parade of shops in the village and passed a coffee shop /wine bar which Stuart and Lorna had already discovered.  We were invited by the owner to return for lunch or afternoon tea.

Danny had completely changed the first half of the walk due to excess mud, but there was still no shortage on the revised route through woods, lanes and common land  We passed an impressive sculpture of a lion, carved from a fallen tree and another of a girl under a lamppost.  After a couple of hours we arrived at the Woolpack in Banstead, a change from the advertised pub due to location.  The Woolpack managed to accommodate everyone who wanted a meal and the food arrived very speedily.  After lunch Hilary congratulated Pam and Gillian for jointly winning the Rambler of the Year and gave a special commendation to Andrew for completing 40 walks after joining in February.  After another hour or so’s walking we were back in Chipstead and most of us were tempted by the coffee shop / wine bar which had some excellent Christmas cake to accompany our teas and coffees.  What a pleasant way to round off 2019.  Thanks Danny and Happy New Year everyone!

Gillian

Photos by Ida and Gillian